Page 30 - Demo

Top; Bobby Gopiao, Gold, Crab Apple, Malus Bottom; Alfredo Manarang, Gold, Bantigue,
Pemphis acidula
tree in the exhibit went to Alfred Manarang for his Bantigue (Pemphis acidula). BCI Excellence Award medals went to Alfred Manarang for his Bantigue (Pemphis acidula) and to Roberto “Bobby” Gopiao for his Barbados cherry (Malphigia glabra). The awards were presented by Philippine Bonsai Society President Augusto P. Rustia. The BCI medals were presented by BCI board member Budi Sulistyo and BCI President Tom Elias.
The Republic of the Philippine is located just North of the Equator, thus, it has a tropical climate and flora. Bonsai suitable for these conditions are tropical and sub-tropical trees and shrubs. It was very encourag- ing to see many species native to the Philippines be- ing used to make wonderful bonsai. Foremost among the native trees used for bonsai is Pemphis acidula or Bantigue as it is known locally. These small trees or large shrubs occur next to the beaches in the Ilocos Norte region of the country. These twisted trunk trees make extraordinary bonsai making them favored and sought after by bonsai hobbyists. A shrubby species of Desmodium in the legume family is another spe- cies that is popular in the bonsai community. They are known locally as Blue Bells due to the shape and color of the numerous small flowers. Other species of trees used and exhibited as bonsai include Ehren- tiamicrophylla, Ficus microcarpa, Ficus concina, Ficus rotundifolia, Flacourtia rukam, Lagerstroemia indica, Maba buxifolia, Malphigia glabra, Murraya exotica, Podocarpus species, Tamarindus indica, Terminalia fontalia, Vitex agnus-castus, Wrightia religiosa, and other species. Casuarina equisetifolia is occasionally used for making bonsai.
The stone display
The stone display at this event was organized by the Natural Stone Society of the Philippines. This study group was organized many years ago by Mrs. Felicidad S. Gupit. Mrs. Gupit is an active col- lector of Philippine stones and has the larg- est collections of these stones. Mrs. Gupit, who is now in her mid 80s, participated in this major exhibition. BCI President, Tom Elias gave an illustrated lecture on Chinese and Japanese stones to mem- bers of this society and then conducted a critique of the stones on display. The Philippines is blessed with rich mineral resources and a complex geological history. As such, there are a wide range of excellent stones to be found here,
28 | BCI | October/November/December 2014