The Department of Tourism (DoT) invites the public to see bonsai masterpieces at the Bonsai Library and Museum, at the Aurora Garden (formerly Ravellin de Recoletos), Victoria St., Intramuros, Manila.
The first-of-its-kind in the country, the museum library exhibits local endangered species like the is-is, molave, camachile, kalyos, balite, tinta-tinta, sampaloc, yang-ya, bantulinao, kamuning, limosito, malabayabas, bignay, kulasi, bantigue, and mulawin-pusa, among others, same with imported bonsai trees such as: Chinese elm, crab apple, suimae, ficus nerepholla, pyracanta, blue bell, Singapore’s sinamono, serissa phoetida, and yellow doggie.
“Bonsai raising and propagation has gone from being a mere hobby and an economic activity. It has now become a vehicle for cultural development and enhancement,” said Tourism Secretary Roberto “Obet” Pagdanganan.
A lot of Filipinos has embraced the hobby of bonsai making as a favorite pastime and an outlet for stress. This hobby has become a conduit in showing Filipino ingenuity and artistry, which is one of the main thrusts of the DoT on its “Ganda ng Pilipinas, Galing ng Pilipino” campaign.
The exhibit was made possible through the coordination between the DoT, Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA), and the Bonsai Masters of the Philippines, Inc. (BMPI) headed by its president architect Jun Obrero.
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