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Officially Open!
We officially opened our doors last May 28, 2009 – the culmination of close to two years of planning, brain-storming and more planning. Finally! The Institute of Philippine Floral Techniques (IPHFT), the first Philippine technical-vocational school in floral arranging, the sixth worldwide from the the highly successful Instituto Mexico Tecnico Floral (IMFT) in Mexico and the first in Asia IS OFFICIALLY OPEN!
Select guests from both the Philippine floral arranging industry as well as the educators, current and retired from the Department of Education graced the simple blessing rites and ribbon cutting.
The blessing of the school premises led by Fr. Conal O’Connel was quickly followed by the ribbon-cutting ceremonies led by the World Flower Council Philippines Chapter active member Belen G. Bactad fondly called the Grand Dame of the Philippine Floral Industry by those in the local flower arranging trade, Mary Lindbert International Vice President, realtor and philanthropist Linda Legaspi and Smithers-Oasis Malaysia Sales Executive Kevin Theo.
According to IPHFT President John C. Ong, the school will follow the same curriculum and adopt the same teaching approach of IMTF in the conduct of the local flower arranging classes. Ong stated that the IMTF program was painstakingly developed by American Institute of Floral Design (AIFD) certified members and has received recognition and commendation from various floral arranging groups and organizations.
“The school aims to formalize the practice of the trade. It aims to help professionalize the industry and spur both growth and recognition for local floral arrangers. Try and visit any hotel, restaurant, cruise ship or flowershop overseas. Chances are, their best floral arrangers are Filipinos. We are known to be good arrangers. What we lack is the formal schooling and the diploma that will let us own the title and transform our talent from a craft to a trade. IPHFT is one way of addressing that need” Ong stated.
The ten-month long diploma course is currently being offered by IPHFT. The IPHFT faculty underwent an extensive training under the AIFD accredited arranger from Mexico prior to the school opening. The IPHFT faculty is led by Evelyn Aldaba AIFD – the only Philippine-based AIFD accredited floral arranger to date. Enrollment for the pilot class is ongoing and is on a first-come, first-served basis. Four PILOT classes are scheduled to open June-July. The next class opening is scheduled on September 2009.
