Manila Chapter #108, Philippines
Ikebana: Anytime, Anywhere with Group 1 Block Box Theatre
The theme “Ikebana Anytime, Anywhere” was well displayed at the recent exhibit/demonstration of Ikebana International Manila Chapter’s Group 1. It was held at the Sunshine Place, the group, headed by Instructor Marc Tomas, showed how Ikebana can be used or placed at a lobby of a theatre, a hotel, or any reception area, even a stage itself.
Tomas, a former president of our chapter, shared that members are divided into eight groups and each group is assigned a place where they are supposed to create a design. In Group 1’s presentation members were acting as stage design workers. As an added attraction, there was an array of mini-ikebana masterpieces depicting the group members’ favorite theater plays and productions.
Susie Yap’s arrangement was “Mama Mia,” a popular movie about a young bride seeking to discover her real father. The colors of the blue Aegean Sea were represented by three blue antique medicine bottles, while the flowers and stucco homes on a cliff were captured in many colors with materials snipped from her garden and that of her neighbors.
Lora Rivera, an architect, opted for “Rama Hari,” a classical Filipino piece based on the Indian epic Ramayana and it is one of her favorite plays. Her arrangement captures the essence of Rama and Sita’s journey, mirroring the equilibrium between love and duty. The arrangement showed an interplay of entwined branches, with soft arc reflecting the deep affection and gentleness shared by the two.
The arrangement of Carina Galang is inspired by “Cirque de Soleil,” the contemporary version of the circus. She used modern materials, an unusual platform, colorful vases. Galang is the granddaughter of Carmen Guevara, founder of our chapter.
Other arrangements on exhibit were “Chicago” by Cynthia Heussaff, “Phantom of the Opera” by Tita Manuel, “Lion King” by Laly San Luis, “Wicked” by Maricor Mendoza, “Mulan” by Babyruth Chuaunsu, “Madame Butterfly” by Lily Gan, “Evita” by Elena Ong and “Les Miserables” by Michele Tan.
