Other Philippine Chapters
Ikebana International Davao Chapter 133
Brief History
In the summer of 1967 two energetic women who were both lovers of nature and flowers met in the garden of the Konakein Hotel in Hakone Japan. They were both tourist and what a fateful meeting it was meant to be.
They soon found themselves talking about Japanese form of flower arrangement. Mrs. Guevara talked most interestingly about Ikebana. To top it all she proudly declared that Ikebana has come to Manila. Mrs. Soriano promised Mrs. Guevara she would organize an Ikebana group in Davao City upon she returned. While still in Tokyo, Mrs. Guevara requested Mrs. Neese, the International President, for some literature and brochures for Mrs. Soriano’s perusal.
Upon her return to Davao the indefatigable Mameng Soriano with 13 other ladies form the nucleus of what today is Davao Chapter 133. Founder and charter President Carmen Soriano was inducted into office by her dear friends and “Tokaya” Carmen Guevara on May 21, 1968. In February 1970, the status of the organization was changed to Chapter.
Several teachers and authorities came and gave lessons and demonstration to the members of Davao Chapter. To mention some were Yuko Sakagami, Madame Kate Furuta, and Mrs. Juliet Villasor, Mr. Kenneth Jones, Professor Manabu Noda, and Professor Nobu Kurashige.
The Davao Chapter133 will be celebrating its 42nd anniversary in the year 2010. We continue to share and inspire others through our workshops and regular exhibits showing our talents and the masterpiece of each member.
As we celebrate Chapter’s anniversaries, we open our hearts to God and gratitude for the helping hands in nourishing and nurturing the seed of Ikebana that Founder Madam Carmen Soriano planted- keeping the Ikebana objective-“ Friendship through Flowers”- flowers blooming as the years go by.
Ikebana International Davao Chapter 133 Officers 2008-2010
Officers 2008 - 2010
Davao Chapter 133 Members
Ikebana International Cebu Chapter 145
Brief History
In 1969, Muriel Scrivner, an American lady whose husband was stationed at the Mactan Airbase, began to teach Ikebana lessons to a few ladies in Cebu City. Previously she attended Ikenobo classes in Japan when her husband was stationed there. Among the ladies attending Muriel Scrivner’s classes were Zelia Borromeo and Betty Eustaquio who are still presently active ikebana members.
Upon the urging of Muriel Scrivner and the guiding spirit of Zelia Borromeo, who had just come back from her studies in Japan on religion, drama, history, the arts and the Ikenobo method of flower arrangement, the group applied for membership of the Ikebana International and was duly accepted the following year; that is in June 1970.
Ikebana International Cebu Chapter 145, as designated by the Ikebana Headquarters, began with Remedios Canizares as Charter President. Muriel Scrivner went back to the U.S. while Zelia took over the teaching of ikebana to the members.
At 39, the I. I. Cebu Chapter 145 is still growing and learning through study, constant practice, attendance at monthly meetings and regional conferences or international conventions, coordination with the Philippine chapters of Manila, Davao and Cagayan de Oro. They have also exposed, if you will, and communicated this art to the public by means of exhibits and demonstrations.
Officers June 2009 to March 2010
Ikebana International Cagayan de Oro Chapter 163
Brief History
Driven by passion and dynamism, the Cagayan de Oro Chapter of Ikebana International was chartered on September 1, 1972. Through proficient coaching, mentoring, and encouragement of Zelia Borromeo of the Ikebana International-Cebu Chapter, seventeen (17) civic-spirited ladies together with the founder, Elsa P. Pelaez, started the Cagayan de Oro Chapter with regular meetings and workshops. To further develop their skills in flower arrangements, the club organized various seminar-workshops by visiting professors. Attending and participating in other Philippine chapter exhibits were also a regular activity for members of the club. In 1998, the Cagayan de Oro Chapter actively supported and contributed to the success in the hosting of the 6th Asian Regional Conference in Manila.
Through the years, the members of the Cagayan de Oro Chapter continued to inspire and educate the community on Ikebana through demonstration and exhibits. Partnerships were forged with tourism industry organizations, corporate offices, and commercial shops to demonstrate and display Ikebana. The partnerships brought the club to exhibit at non-traditional exhibit spaces such as the Toyota Cars showroom in September 2005, at the Pueblo Golf and Country Club, and the opening of Havaianas Chiso shop at a shopping mall in April 2007.
With the addition of younger set of members, creativity and innovativeness characterized the organization and in 2002, the chapter opened its exhibit with the theme “From Old to Bold”. This was quite a bold step for the chapter that on the celebration of the Cagayan de Oro Chapter’s 35th Charter Anniversary in September 2007, the members brazenly performed a show at the Rodelsa Theater of flower arrangement demonstration in choreography with poetry, songs and dances, The show presented indigenous Mindanao inspirations to contemporary metallic interpretations. A grand exhibit was also held at the Atrium of SM Mall with the theme – “Turning a New Leaf”. The theme was the Chapter’s way of creating awareness on environmental concerns and urging the community to appreciate nature and enjoy it as an art. The leaf symbolizes life, rebirth and hope.
The Ikebana International-Cagayan de Oro Chapter continues to meet and hold workshops every first Saturday of each month. As the passion for Ikebana intensifies, so is the bond among members and plans for more activities for the Cagayan de Oro Chapter.