FEATURED BOOK REVIEW

The Philippines Bonsai Society. 406 pages, no date, and no ISBN Number.  

This beautifully illustrated volume documents the Philippines Bonsai Society’s 2019 exhibition and competition, held at SM North Mall in Quezon City. The title “Sanib Pwersa” translates to “joining forces” in reference to bringing together the Philippine Bonsai Society, Inc., The Natural Stone Society of the Philippines, and the Ikenobo Ikebana Society of Manila No. 67 to stage a grand exhibition of bonsai, viewing stones, and ikebana together in one glorious exhibition in the largest mall in the Philippines. The exhibition consisted of 211 bonsai, 102 suiseki, and 15 ikebana arrangements.

Professor Amy Liang (Taiwan), Master Kunio Kobayashi (Japan), and Dr. Thomas S. Elias (USA) were invited special guests who lectured, made demonstrations for the attendees, and helped judge the exhibits. This event brought together the best trees, stones, and flower arrangements in the Philippines at this time. The officers, led by Bobby P. Gopiao, and directors of the Philippines Bonsai Society are to be congratulated for successfully staging this event and the publication of this catalog. Its publication was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic that began spreading in late 2019.

A fine collection of viewing stones from China, Japan, Taiwan, and especially the Philippines was displayed. This volume is a good way for stone collectors to learn about the diversity and types of viewing stones that occur in this island country.

Rating: Very Good, a valuable reference to an exceptional exhibition of bonsai, suiseki, and ikebana