For its coral anniversary, the Sogetsu Manila Branch headed by Margot Perez mounted an exhibition of floral arrangements by its members showcasing their creativity using unconventional materials in two or more containers.
The exhibition which opened last September 27 was graced by the wife of Japanese Ambassador Kazuya Endo, Madame Akiko Endo as guest of honor, a Sogetsu enthusiast herself. The exhibition ran until September 29th at the SM Aura in Bonifacio Global City.
A demonstration on the Sogetsu floral arrangement was conducted on the second day with no less than Mr. Christopher Lim as guest demonstrator. Ms. Babyruth Chuansu, in introducing Lim said that the latter is holder of the highest qualification for America Floral Designers and is a Certified Floral Designer for America. She added that Lim’s teacher grade is Riji Sogetsu Ikebana Tokyo which is the highest teacher grade at Sogetsu School in Japan.
In an interview, Lim shared that after getting his degree on western arrangement from the American Institute of Flower Design, he pursued Ikebana floral arrangement. “It’s a form of self-expression. An art that you can express without spoken words,” he said. For those who want to try the Ikebana floral arrangement, he advises “If you like it go for it and try out. Once you try you’ll fall in love with this art which has nothing to do with religion, nothing to do with race, status. Anybody can do this Ikebana; everything can be done in Ikebana.”
Lim made several arrangements with the finale, a big arrangement for SM Aura. He was assisted by Sogetsu Manila Branch members Marc Tomas, Evangeline Cheng, Carissa Singson, and Carina Galang.
The audience during the demonstration included Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuya Endo, Madame Akiko Endo, Madame Eun-hwa Lee, wife of Korean Ambassador Sang-hwa Lee, and National Security Adviser Gen. Eduardo Año, who came with his wife, Jean, also a member of Sogetsu Manila Branch.
