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The idea of allowing us to do an out-of-town wedding and reception was exciting. It was our first memorable experience and I was confident that we would do this beautifully and professionally.

The activity called for hand-tied bouquets – a mix of trumpet calla heads, small rounded carnations and large round gerberas – and some (Christian) wedding ceremony arrangements. It was something to ponder because the challenge lay in the variety, form and size. Working with a limited number of flowers also proved to be a challenge.

The wedding project made me realize the importance of flexibility. It is true that it would be easier to use as many flowers as we can get our hands on for impact. But since budget is always an important point particularly with clients, one has to narrow down objectives, work with tangibles like a budget and deliver results expected by the client – if not surpass them.

I realized that as one grows in experience, one learns to do things more effectively particularly with a team. A great working environment is also conducive. While the activity is definitely tiring given the humidity and the lack of time, there were moments during the trip that lifted out spirits and put us in a creative mood. The huge dinner and the comfortable sleep-over at a classmate’s rest house gave us a fresh start early during the wedding day.

Activities like this gave each of us a glimpse of the profession we have chosen for ourselves. We were all bent on taking our “hobby” to the next level. I am both excited and apprehensive but I remain an optimist. Whatever challenges and draw-backs we faced must be viewed as learning experiences. I for one am ready to take on what lies ahead of me – a new chapter in my life.

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Marisa Palines (first from the front row) is currently a teaching at the IPHFT and is about to open her very own flowershop in Pasig City. Marisa is connected with Unica Flora. All students and graduates of IPHFT are invited to submit any flower-related article for publication consideration here. Email editor-at-iphft.com (Change “at” to the proper symbol) -Ed

Eleven students mounted their flower “recital” at the Shangri-la Plaza Mall (Shaw Boulevard corner EDSA, Mandaluyong City) showcasing what they learned for the last 40 weeks.

The simple ribbon cutting ceremony was graced by IMTF Academic Director Luis Silva.

Photos below are as follows: (left to right, top to bottom)

• Name and Theme
• Marlon Absalon – New Year Countdown
• Anton Adriatico – Stag Party
• Ruby Diolanda – Wedding Anniversary
• Mila Gonzales – Cocktail Party
• Chachu Lascano – Bride
• Grace Manalang – 7th Birthday Party
• Sue Ong – Tiki Debut Party
• Belle Ongpin – Buffet – Feast for a King
• Marisa Palines – Graduation
• Agnes Tenefrancia – Baby Shower
• Florence Yu – Chinese Engagement

Exhibition

Angel Puentespina in a light moment with some of the student-exhibitors of the Waling Gladiolas event launch. Photo shows from left: Belle Ongpin, Agnes Tenefrancia, Chachu Lascano, Angel Puentespina, Grace Manalang, Mila Gonzales and Ruby Diolanda.

Waling recently launched their newest flower line for the floral trade with an exhibition of arrangements showcasing their colorful, long-stemmed gladiolas executed by IPHFT’s Pilot Class.

The following arrangements below were made by the Pilot Class of IPHFT. Photo shows (left to right, top to bottom):

• Metallic Metaphor by Agnes Tenefrancia
• Earth Tone by Ruby Diolanda
• Rhapsody in Blooms by Sue Ong
• Equilibrium by Marisa Palines
• How Does Your Garden Glow by Grace Manalang
• Gladiolas Shine by Marlon Absalon
• Sun’s Rival by Anton Adriatico
• Floral Peacock by Chachu Lascano
• Red Burst of Fire by Mila Gonzales
• Nest in the Wild by Florence Yu
• Linear Diva by Belle Ongpin

Gladiolas-Waling

The Institute of Philippine Floral Techniques is the Philippine franchise of the highly successful Instituto Mexicano Tecnico Floral (IMTF) in Mexico that boasts of five campuses with more international franchises streamlined in the coming months.

The Institute of Philippine Floral Techniques (iPhFT) is the first in the Philippines and in Asia to offer a technical-diploma program in floral arranging – not a certificate of attendance, not a training certification but an honest to goodness diploma.

Established to address the need to professionalize the floral arranging industry and to instruct and guide floral enthusiasts to pursue their passions into a trade, iPhFT is the perfect collaboration between well-known, established personalities and authorities in both the Philippine floral industry and education. iPhFT is led by John Ong of Jasam and former DepEd NCR Director Dr. Corazon D. Santiago with support from the first and ONLY Philippine-based American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) accredited floral arranger Evelyn Aldaba AIFD as Creative Director.

Supported by both Philippine and international trade related groups and companies, iPhFT seeks to formalize and standardize floral arranging not just as an art but as a science and trade. The ten-month, once-a-week technical-vocational course on flower arranging under an IMTF-trained faculty, will cover all standard/basic areas in floral arranging leading up to the establishment and operation of flower shops.

To read more about the diploma program, click any of the links above. Read the comments and answers posted or go to the Frequently Asked Questions Page.

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March 8 was International Women’s Day. iPhFT was one of the exhibitors in the one-day event organized by Go Negosyo at the World Trade Center promoting entrepreneurship among women.

The iPhFT booth was presented as a flowershop to attract floral enthusiasts to seriously consider their passion for flowers as a viable source of income. A number of iPhFT students dropped by the booth to visit and some helped answer queries from interested parties. Three iPhFT student-visitors designed floral arrangements on the spot as booth visitors looked and asked questions about the diploma program of iPhFT. The three students who wowed the crowd and left interested parties taking pictures of their work were Yvonne Barretto, Angie Dy and Marissa Palines.

iPhFT is set to open a new class on April (the fifth class to open) following the Saturday morning class that recently closed a month and a half ago.

Note: Top photo shows floral work of Angie Dy and Yvonne Barretto. Second photo shows work of Marissa Palines. All arrangements were done on the spot during the exhibit. Not in photo is iPhFT instructor Susan Orendain who spent time in the school’s booth addressing queries.

iPhFT joins the list of sponsors for the Makati Garden Club for its forthcoming floral fashion show slated on October 6, 2009 at the Manila Polo Club. iPhFT will feature various “floral wear” under the Summer Collection line. Seven select students under the guidance of the iPhFT faculty headed by its Evelyn Aldaba AIFD will execute the various floral designs.

The first three pilot classes of iPhFT are now in full swing completing the first batch of students working towards earning the Philippines’ first technical-vocational diploma in flower arranging.

A merry mix of students comprise each class  — doctors, lawyers, teachers, ikebana enthusiasts, young and old alike in various professions, either exploring (or furthering) business opportunities in flower arranging and design or simply pursuing their long-standing passion for the craft. In iPhFT, flowers is the common and only passion.

It is heartening to note that even at the early stages of the course, some students have already joined and won flower arranging competitions and have participated in magazine pictorials for flower arrangement requirements all under the name of the school. An official announcement regarding these milestones as well as coming major activities by the school will be posted in this website soon.

iPhFT is set to open its second “batch” early October. For inquiries and reservations, please contact the secretariat.

Two iPhFT students bagged the top two slots in the amateur division organized by Flower Club Philippines in recently concluded Flora and Fauna Fair held at the World Trade Center last July. Ruby Diolanda (left) and Marissa Palines (right) won first and second place respectively beating several contestants who participated in the event. Both students, then on their third week of schooling, proudly included iPhFT in their list of credentials.

Credits for the photos and information for the story from iPhFT students Ana Lopez (second from right) and Florence Yu (far right).

Chef Reggie Aspiras recently featured iPhFT in her column in the Philippine Daily Inquirer with a photo of the unusual floral arrangement by iPhFT President John C. Ong. The piece titled “Pakbet” featured the unique combination of flowers and vegetables in a table arrangement designed to be a conversation piece among guests.