BLOSSOMS AGLOW WITH THE GALLERY AND IKEBANA DAVAO

THE Gallery by GCH Jewels in partnership with Ikebana International Davao Chapter 133 recently held a Special Collection Jewelry Sale at the SM Lanang Premier.

For the past six years, the two institutions have been organizing a yearly fundraiser to show the two art forms of jewelry and ikebana. Funds raised are used by the club for its yearly activities in promoting one of Japan’s oldest traditions – the Japanese art of flower arrangement.

Ikebana is the well-loved Japanese art of flower arrangement. Unlike conventional way of arranging flowers, ikebana enthusiasts express their creativity within certain rules of construction. They utilize organic materials such as branches, leaves, grasses, flowers, among others, to come up with their works of art. The final ‘masterpiece’ is considered a “living thing where nature and humanity are brought together”.

The previous collaborations involved members of the Ikebana Group modeling the jewelry and ikebana arrangements scattered and displayed around the venue, but this time, they opted for simplicity and elegance.

This year, the guests were greeted by live mannequins with models Akemy James and Maria Sartirani, in red overflowing gowns by Erwin Tan, adorned by specially selected jewelry by The Gallery. Ikebana arrangements carefully created by select members of the chapter lined the entrance of the store.

On its 47th year, Ikebana International Davao Chapter 133, spearheaded by President Arlene “Jing” Puentespina, has 40 active members. Interestingly, Jing comes from a family of the biggest producers of cut flowers in the country today – Puentespina Orchids & Tropical Plants, Inc. Meanwhile, Lea Imperial, granddaughter of the chapter’s founding president Doña Carmen Soriano, is the 1st Vice President, while restaurateur and hotelier, Leticia dela Paz, is the 2nd Vice President.

Guest of honor Honeylet Avenceña was in attendance for the official ribbon cutting ceremonies along with other distinguished guests such as Kelly Gaw, Nelly Pernia, Ellen Dakudao, Anita Catotal, Gigay de los Santos, as well as Carlo and Margie Huan of GCH Jewels.

The event was wellattended with family and friends of the Huan family and the Ikebana International Davao Chapter 133 officers such as Ma. Zenaida delos Santos (Recording Secretary); Clarice Lu (Asst. Recording Secretary); Dr. Jennifer Christine Lim (Corresponding Secretary); Ana Maria Abaca (Treasurer); Vanessa Ann Ong (Asst. Treasurer); Ma. Cristina Tionko (Auditor); Ma. Cristina Tionko (Auditor); Carine Bacani (P.R.O.); Patria Ibarreta (Historian); Alice Reyes, Estrellita de Jesus, Norma Soriano, Danney Barnett, and Marie Tionko (Board of Directors); and Dalisay Soriano, Deagelia Suarez, Rose Jaldon, Ma. Lourdes Bendigo (Club Advisers).