History of I.I. Manila Chapter 108
by Carmen S. Guevara †
Several decades in the history of any organization is an indication of growth. The story of Ikebana International Manila Chapter 108 tells of its members in nurturing it to full maturity. In short, it is a classic example of the old adage “Great oak from little acorns grow.” The seed was planted when in the late summer of 1956 I went to Tokyo with my husband on a business trip. At the airport, we were met by a business associate. As a friendly gesture, I gifted the cattleya corsage I was wearing to the business associate. At the dinner table of their home the following evening, the same cattleya, exquisitely arranged in a low vase, immediately caught my attention. Our hostess, whom I would later know as one of the founding members of a new organization called Ikebana International, founded by Mrs. Ellen Allen, mentioned casually that she was a student of the Ohara School in Tokyo and kindly offered to take me there. This was my first introduction to a formal school of Ikebana. Never did my hostess dream that I was to pursue the learning of this art with dogged determination.
Subsequent trips to Japan were always exciting interludes in my life as I viewed in quiet enjoyment Ikebana arrangements in hotel lobbies, in trains’ subway stations, department stores, etc. I took short lessons wherever available and the more I learned this deceptively simple flower arranging the more I thought how timely it was to promote this art among the Philippine Garden Club members of which I was one of the officers.
In the early 60’s, a small group of Garden Club Members took lessons in the University of the Philippines under Miss Miriam Yamaguchi. She was an exponent of the Ohara School, worked closely with Ikebana International President Mrs. Kay Framer, and naturally, told me more about Ikebana International.
Sometime in October, 1966 Ikebana International President Mrs. Gail Feerer who was on her way back to Tokyo after attending the Australian Regional Conference in Sydney, made a stop over in Manila to talk to me about starting a Chapter. In response to my invitation, our friends joined me at the Madrid Restaurant for lunch to meet with Mrs. Feerer. They were Rose and Viña Avanceña, Remedios Cepeda, Dolores Luz, Jane Markuson, Gloria Monzon, Carmen Roces, Pilar Relova, Chong del Rosario and Susie Winternitz. These ladies were to form the nucleus of the chapter and become its founding members. Mrs. Feerer briefed us on the By-laws of Ikebana International, giving us guidelines on how to qualify for a chapter, encouraging us by her kind words. By a stroke of good luck, our friend Jane Markuson, who was a Certified Sogetsu Teacher, offered to give us lessons. Thus was Sogetsu introduced to Manila.
Various Ikebana schools of Japan visited Manila during the ensuing years, thereby broadening our knowledge of this art. Through the courtesy of the Embassy of Japan, we had the pleasure of learning from Mr. Meik of Kasuya of Ichiyo School, Mr. Kasen Yoshimura of Ryuseiha, Mr. Kondo of Chikusen, Mr. Mochizuki, and many others from Ohara, Sogetsu and Ikenobo Schools. From the groups that made up the audience of these visitors came many members who became very active in our chapter.
As a prerequisite to being chartered, a Potential Chapter has to put up a public exhibition of Ikebana arrangements Thus, we made or maiden bow to the public in December, 1966 at the Volkswagen Building in T.M. Kalaw Street. The enthusiastic participation of our little group more than made up for their amateurish display. With the help of Certified Teachers Jane Markuson and Juliet Villasor, our arrangements looked good enough to elicit some commendable reaction from viewers whose exposure to the art was rather limited. This precedent of holding public exhibitions has been religiously followed through the years and the improvement each year has been remarkable.
On a 3-week tour of South East Asia in 1967, Ikebana International President, Mrs. Martha P. Neese visited our fledging chapter which was chartered in March 9, 1967. It was she who gave me so much encouragement with the suggestions on how to run a chapter, sharing with the members her skills in Ikebana. The tremendous help that she gave during our formative years is incalculable.
The 6th Australian Regional Conference in Brisbane in September 1967 was my first experience in International conference. It was such a thrilling moment to be introduced to our Founder, Mrs. Ellen Allen, whose smiling presence charmed everyone. Having lived in Manila in pre-war days, she told me of her memories here and called me her “Manila Girl” other notables of Ikebana International.
I met Mr. Sofu Teshigahara and his lovely daughter, Ms. Kasumi, Mr. & Mrs. Norman Sparnon of Australia and many others from different countries. It was here also that I first saw the glorious sight of unfamiliar exotic flora from “down under” and seeing them arranged by skillful hands of the head-masters was indeed an unforgettable experience.
The ground-breaking years for the chapter ended with my term in 1969. The impressive roster of presidents that follow me will have to follow the precedents setup in the years and improve on them as new challenges are to be met.
