2018-2020 Candidates

Dr. Sujata Bhat

Dr. Sujata Bhat is a Bonsai artist and teacher and has been in the field of Bonsai for the past 32 years.

Educational achievements

Sujata Bhat obtained her Master’s Degree in Biochemistry (1982-1984) from the Bangalore University, Karnataka State and was a Gold Medalist in Chemistry.
She obtained the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in the field of Biochemistry (1985-1990) from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai, and has several publications to her credit. During her PhD program she became well versed with handling various aspects of the computer which involved computer simulations relating to molecular modeling of proteins and other small molecules. She worked as a researcher and consultant till 1995 following which she became a full-time bonsai enthusiast.

Achievements in the field of Bonsai

Sujata Bhat did her first Basic Bonsai training under the tutelage of Mrs. Santosh Arora in the year 1986, followed by an advanced training course in the year 1992.
She has done several training courses involving various techniques employed in Bonsai under Mr. Nikunj and Mrs. Jyoti Parekh, directors of the Bonsai Study Group of the Indo-Japanese Association, Mumbai.
Sujata Bhat has been part of the core Committee of the Bonsai Study Group of the Indo-Japanese Association since 2006.
She is also a part of the editorial team of the quarterly magazine ‘Nichin Bonsai’ published by the Bonsai Study Group of the Indo-Japanese Association and is actively involved in writing articles for the magazine.
She is also involved in promoting the group on various social media platforms and in various computer related activities such as preparation of presentations etc.
She had undergone a certified teacher training course and is involved in training students with the basic knowledge of Bonsai. She has also given demonstrations and has conducted workshops in bonsai in different cities all over India. She has also assisted in demonstrations by Headliners in International Conventions the latest being at the BCI convention in Taiwan.
She has started a Bonsai training school for beginners as part of the activities of the Bonsai Study Group of the Indo-Japanese Association, thus contributing to the spread of the art of bonsai.
Sujata is a recipient of the BCI Artist, Writer and Photographer Award in 2017 for her excellent photographs that she has contributed for articles in BCI Bonsai & Stone Appreciation Magazine over the last few years. She has also contributed articles for the above magazine.

Other Interests

Sujata Bhat is also an Ikebana artist and teacher having completed the 2nd Term Masters exam from the Ohara school of Ikebana, Japan. She is continuing her progress as a student of the Ohara school of Ikebana. She has also started teaching Ikebana to new students.
She is also an accomplished sitar (a traditional Indian classical music instrument) artist with several public performances to her credit.

Poncevic M. Ceballos

Attorney-at-Law

Curriculum Vitae

FIELDS OF SPECIALIZATION

Corporate

Litigation

Labor

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Laws, 1983

Ateneo de Manila School of Law, Makati, Metro Manila

Bachelor of Arts, major: History and Political Science, 1979

De la Salle College, Manila

Secondary, 1975

Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Manila

Grade School, 1971

San Beda College, Manila

CAREER EXPERIENCES

Professor:

1990-Present Ateneo de Manila School of Law, Makati City

2010-2011 Liceo Law, Cagayan de Oro City

2011-12 Philippine Christian University Law School

Subjects taught: Corporate Practice; Corporation Law; Legal Forms; Proceedings; Provisional Remedies; Evidence; Remedial Law Review; Transportation Law; Intellectual Property Law; Corporate Practice; Commercial Law Review; Negotiable Instruments Law

Dean 2010-2011

Liceo Law, Cagayan de Oro City

Associate Dean 2012-present

Philippine Christian University

Pre-Bar Reviewer and Special Lecturer:

Ateneo School of Law

Aklan Catholic College

University of the East

Philippine Christian University

Lex Magnificus Bar Review Center (Cagayan De Oro, Naga)

University of the Philippines, College of Law

Lyceum of the Philippines

University of Cebu

University of Hong Kong

MCLE Lecturer

MCLE Providers: Ateneo School of Law, Office of the Government Corporate Counsel, MORE Center for Legal Excellence Inc., Alternative Law Group

Topics on: Remedial Law, Legal Forms and Legal Writing, Legal Ethics

Recipient of three (3) professorial chairs administered by the Ateneo School of Law

Managing Partner: 1995 to present, Ceballos Law Firm

Senior Partner: 1994-1995, Escueta Tan Acut and Madrid Law Offices

President, Ceballos Bar Trends, Inc. -mock bar exams provider in the following centers or venues:

University of the Philippines Law Center

San Beda College, College of Law

University of Santo Tomas, Faculty of Civil Law

Philippine Christian University, College of Law

President (incumbent):

Bohol Enterprises, Inc.

Ceballos Iceworks, Inc.

Angels and Lemons Bistro Inc.

Baesa Summit Holdings, Inc.

Nikapro Realty, Inc.

Banahaw Solid Rock Corporation

Stars Trucks Logistics Corp.

(Past) Corporate Secretary and General Counsel

Philippine Carpet Manufacturing Corp.

Capital Garments Corporation

PLLIM Investment, Inc.

P. L. Lim, Inc.

Peggy Mills, Inc.

Filsyn Techo-Systems Corp.

Universal Far East Corp.

Chemical Fibers Association, Inc.

Lipave Management Corp.

Philippine Woolen Spinning Corp.

John Nelson and Associates, Philippines, Inc.

Philippine Hotel Owners Association, Inc.

(Past) Assistant Corporate Secretary and General Counsel

Filsyn Corporation

Manila Peninsula Hotel, Inc.

(Past) Confidential Attorney, 1984

Office of Justice Juvenal K. Guerrero

Supreme Court of the Philippines

(Past) Director

Luzon Apparel Corporation

Trans-Pacific Oriental Holding Co., Inc.

Trans-Pizza Vest Corp.

John Nelson and Associates Philippines, Inc.

Bohol Enterprises, Inc.

Legal Counsel

Dispophil, Inc.

Vazquez Group of Companies

DKG Corp.

DK Management Services Corp.

V8 Commercial Co., Inc.

Blooming Fields (Phils.) Inc.

Blooming Farms (Phils.) Inc.

Liceo de Cagayan de Oro University, Inc.

First Philippine Holdings Corp.

PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES

Married to Leila G. Capino with four (4) children, namely: Poncevic Jr., Robert Joseph, Katrina Abigail and Nicole Victoria.

Bonsai Artist, Lecturer and International Show Judge and president of Philippine Bonsai Society Inc. for ten (10) years

International Director, Bonsai Clubs International (incumbent)

Mr. Chen Chang

Mr. Chen Chang, the Chairman & CEO of Panyu Chu Kong Steel Pipe Co,.Ltd., has begun his Penjing creation life since early 1960s. Mr. Chen has a special liking of Penjing. In his free time, Mr. Chen works on his trees wholehearted to improve his techniques, and has published the paper on "The Source of 'Clip and Grow' Technique in Bonsai of Lingnan Style" in the 6th academic seminar of Chinese Penjing, and has gotten his own book published, titled “Thriving in creativity, the Penjing art of Chen Chang”. By now Mr.Chen Chang's Jinlong Garden has almost 5000 trees, many pieces of his works have displayed at major exhibitions, and has won a number of awards, such as the China Treasure Award of the 7th World Bonsai Friendship Federation Convention and the 12th Asia-Pacific Bonsai and Suiseki Convention & Exhibition. For Mr.Chen's great contributions, he got a BCI Instructor certificate in 2017 and recognised as one of the Great masters of Penjing Art, was invited to serve on the board of director's of many international Penjing organizations, and was appointed to be the General Director of Flower Bonsai & Suiseki Branch of Chinese Society of Landscape Architecture, the Chairman for the China Region of Bonsai Clubs International (BCI) and the Chairman for the China Region of World Bonsai Friendship Federation.

Mr. David De Groot

David De Groot is Curator Emeritus of the Pacific Bonsai Museum in Federal Way, WA where he served as managing curator for 25 years. He is an award-winning designer and author, who has been studying and practicing bonsai since 1972.
He has studied bonsai in Japan with Yasuo Mitsuya at Tokai-en Bonsai Nursery. He studied satsuki (azaleas) with Tatemori Gondo and Hayata Nakayama at Suisho Nakayama Nursery, and formal bonsai display with Uhaku Sudo. at Chikufu-en Bonsai Nursery.

His educational journal articles have been published throughout the U.S. and in eight other countries, and he is author of two books published by the American Bonsai Society - Basic Bonsai Design and Principles of Bonsai Design, now in its second printing.

David travels widely to lecture, and has presented programs on five continents. He is active with several bonsai organizations in the Puget Sound area and serves as Secretary for Bonsai Clubs International.

Mr. Les Dowdell

I started my first bonsai in 1974 and then helped to found the Bonsai Society of Edmonton in 1981. I have been the main instructor and president of the Society since the beginning. We used mainly local and native species as raw material for our trees. I now grow and train over 150 bonsai in my back yard. Since 1986 I have been teaching bonsai to members of the public at the regional botanic garden.
I have been a Director of Bonsai Clubs International from 2000 until 2014 when I took a break from the duties of being a Director. In 2016 I resumed my duties as Director. During my service as Director, I have attended a number of BCI conventions and events in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. By serving on various committees, I have tried to make positive contributions to the operation of BCI and look forward to assisting the organization in the future.

Mr. Frank Mihalic

1979 Frank Mihalic founded “Ichiban Publishing” a publishing company dedicated to bonsai related materials. He Wrote & Published “The art of Bonsai-CD ROM” (The FIRST CD on Bonsai in the World!), “The art of Bonsai-VHS Video & DVD”, “The art of Bonsai-Book”, “Bonsai Screen Saver Computer CD ROM”, “Bonsai Online Magazine-Internet Magazine & Back Issue CD ROM” (The FIRST internet Bonsai Magazine in the World!), “Bonsai fro Kids-Children's Instructional Bonsai Book, in English, Spanish, French, & Japanese” (The FIRST Bonsai book for Children in the World!), “Bonsai for Kids– Computer CD ROM”( The FIRST CD on Bonsai for Children in the World!)
1999 & 2001 & 2006, Frank had his tree selected as one of the top one hundred Bonsai trees in the world. by Japan Airlines & the Nippon Bonsai Associations, BCI, WBFF, world wide Bonsai contest, held in Japan.
2000 Japan Airlines & the Nippon Bonsai Association, Awarded the Top One Hundred winners a copy of Franks Bonsai Book and CD ROM!
2000 Frank was the First and Only Foreigner to be awarded a Special Membership in the Cheju Bonsai Growers Association, In Cheju Korea !
2001 Frank founded the First Bonsai Magazine on the Internet. www.bonsaionlinemagazine.com
2004 Frank Published the FIRST Bonsai Book for Children “Bonsai For Kids”
2005 He published the FIRST computer CD ROM for Children “Bonsai for Kids”
2005 Frank Translated Bonsai for kids into Spanish “Bonsai Para Los Ninos”
2005 Frank was elected to the Board of Directors of American Bonsai Society (ABS)
2006 Bonsai for kids will be published in Japanese in Japan, and French in Europe.
2006 one of his trees was First runner up in the North American “John Naka Award “ Presented By the American Bonsai Society (ABS)
2006 one of his trees was First runner up in the World, in the Bonsai Clubs International & Centre’ sponsored, world wide contest in Italy.
2010 Bonsai Clubs International (BCI) Board of Directors
2014 Bonsai Clubs International (BCI) Board of Directors

Now, Wildwood Gardens is entering it’s 72nd year in Bonsai!
Tony, and Frank make up Two Generations in the Bonsai World. Frank specializes in the single tree styles commonly associated with Bonsai in the United States. Frank routinely travels to the Far East to perfect his skills with various world renown Bonsai Masters and Growers. Frank also guides Bonsai tours and buying trips to the Far East, which include at least two Bonsai workshops. Tony, Joann & Frank are always available to answer questions and give anyone advice in the area of Bonsai. Frank has been teaching Bonsai Kids workshops all over the world.

Ms Pauline F Muth

Experience in Bonsai Organization and activities:

45+year member of Mohawk Hudson Bonsai Society in the capital district area of New York State
On the Board of Directors of above society since 2nd year in club serving in all positions on the board. Currently Vice President for shows.
On Board of Directors of Mid-Atlantic Bonsai Societies
Coordinator of speaker needs
Chair of vendors
Co Chair of registration
Past president
On Board of Directors of American Bonsai Society (ABS) (secretary) 2001 – 05 (Vice-president beginning in 2005-6 and President (2007-2013) Currently Seminars Chairperson ( 2007-2017 2018-)
Supervisor of ABS Book and Boutique Service 2004 -2007
Chair person for many ABS Learning Seminars
Ambassador for Bonsai Clubs International (BCI)
On Board of Directors for Bonsai Clubs International (BCI) (Corresponding secretary for 2002-8); (recording secretary 2009- 2011) ;Treasurer;
(2018- Chair for 2020 joint convention with ABS/NBF/PBS/National Arboretum )
Designed and set up bonsai displays at regional garden show for 20 years
Owns and operates a bonsai teaching studio in West Charlton since 1990.
Frequent bonsai speaker at various garden and bonsai clubs and conventions
Contributing bonsai article writer for local newsletter and Bonsai On Line Magazine, and ABS Journal
Recipient of several local, regional and international bonsai awards Non-Bonsai Experience
Mother of three great adults and grandmother of seven
As of June 2001 retired from 35 great years of teaching junior high school science.
Experienced in computer work of many types
Long time gardener Bonsai Background
Began studies with a college background in botany
Studying, learning and practicing bonsai for 45+ years
Maintain a collection of hardy and non hardy trees set in a large garden
Attended numerous workshops and conferences
Traveled nationally and internationally for bonsai
Spreading the joy of bonsai whenever I get the chance

More About this Artist’ s studio : www.pfmbonsai.com

officers Bhavna Shah

Ms Bhavna Shah

Bhavna Shah is a passionate bonsai artist and ornamental plant stylist  who is driven by her quest for learning and creative innovation. Over the last 34 years, her journey in the world of bonsai has seen several milestones. She believes in holistic living and making the most of each day.

Bonsai Expertise

Training and experience in the art of bonsai since the past 34 years
Committee board member of Bonsai Study Group of Indo Japanese Association
Member of the Bonsai Study Group since 24 years
Bonsai basic and Advance course
Bonsai teacher’s training course
Founder of the bonsai & ornamental plants retail brand, Green Ivy
Successful participation at the Indian Merchant’s Chamber annual exhibitions 2016 & 2017 [under the brand Green Ivy]

Gardening Expertise

Gardening & landscaping course
Penjing - wall mural course
Participated in Manoj Kumar workshop
Promoter of the concept ‘gift a plant’
Stylist of indoor plants specializing in colourful arrangements

Skills & Interests

Culinary Specialization & Baking
Completed several cooking courses across varied international cuisines as well as bread making/baking.
Spirituality
Foundation course in Access Consciousness, spiritual healing and several other courses within this school of thought
Music
Pursuing vocal training in Indian classical music at the Shagota Academy

Hobbies

Travel
Trekking
Yoga
Cooking

Educational Status

Bachelors of Commerce, Sydenham College

officers Roger Snipes

Roger Snipes

Spokane, Washington, USA

Roger has been actively involved with bonsai for over 30 years. He is a founding member, past President and current Treasurer of the Inland Empire Bonsai Society in Spokane, Washington. Roger is also the current BCI Treasurer and the current Treasurer of the Pacific Northwest Bonsai Clubs Association (PNBCA) as well as being a past PNBCA Regional Director. He has organized two successful regional PNBCA Bonsai Conventions, serving as Convention Chairman for both. Roger maintains a large personal bonsai collection, and has exhibited his trees at regional bonsai conventions, the National Bonsai Exhibition in Rochester, New York, and at the Artisan’s Cup in Portland, Oregon. Professionally Roger worked in the construction industry as an accountant for over 35 years, and is presently retired.