Bonsai "tray planting" is a Japanese art form using trees grown in containers. Its rich history can be traced back to ancient China before making its way to Japan. Although the art is considered ancient, with the number of trends following WWII, it made its way to the modern world which continues to thrive globally. 

        In the Philippines, a group of Bonsai buffs formed what is now called Philippine Bonsai Society Inc. (PBSI). What started as an informal group in 1973, is now a growing non-stock and non-profit association that continues to relive the art of Bonsai cultivation and propagation through various events such as competitions and art exhibits.

      Following its visions, PBSI, in partnership with SM Supermalls, presented Sanib Pwersa: An Extraordinary Gathering of Cebu's finest Bonsai and Suiseki Collection. 🌳 Two affiliations also joined forces during the event - Cebu Bonsai Society and Cebu Suiseki Society. Both are affiliates of PBSI and Natural Stone Society of the Philippines. 

       The art exhibition was put together at the Mountain Wing area of SM Seaside Cebu. The 3-day exhibit which started last July 7 and ended on July 9, 2017, deeply encourages mall-goers to witness and appreciate nature via the art of Bonsai and Suiseki. Sanib Pwersa (Join Forces) featured bonsai of different species and stones in different sizes and shapes. Suiseki is described as the art of appreciating naturally occurring rocks. 

        Before cutting the ribbon to formally open the exhibition, distinguished guests mostly composed of artists and art enthusiasts witnessed Cebu Bonsai Society's induction of new officers and the awarding of winners for the bonsai competition. More than 20 winners emerged from the event. Special awards were also given to artists who came up with innovative in cultivating bonsai. 

 Bonsai artists and enthusiasts

Sanib Pwersa recipients of Special Awards

    Mr. Jess Cuenco, Madam Cuenco, Sanib Pwersa Special Guest Emcee Mr. Jed Sevilla behind them is one of Mr. Cuenco's award-winning piece. The plant is the recipient of the Best Show Award.

      Cebu Bonsai Society Vice President Mr. Jesus C. Cuenco received several gold awards and gathered the all the major awards during the event - a first in the Philippine Bonsai history. 

Mr. Bobby Gopiao

      In his speech, Mr. Bobby Gopiao, PBSI President, said that looks forward to holding global bonsai shows. He lauded the recent programs like the bonsai master class spearheaded by PBSI which has 46 graduating students by the end of this month. 

       PBSI hopes that their competitions and exhibitions all over the Philippines make it easier among Filipinos to appreciate, cultivate, and propagate the art. PBSI will be sponsoring three international events real soon. One will be in Vietnam this November.

        Art workshops were also held in consonance with the art exhibition.

Ending this post with a poem by the great Filipino poet:

Bonsai

Edith Tiempo

All that I love

I fold over once

And once again

And keep in a box

Or a slit in a hollow post

Or in my shoe.

All that I love?

Why, yes, but for the moment-

And for all time, both.

Something that folds and keeps easy,

Son’s note or Dad’s one gaudy tie,

A roto picture of a queen,

A blue Indian shawl, even

A money bill.

It’s utter sublimation,

A feat, this heart’s control

Moment to moment

To scale all love down

To a cupped hand’s size

Till seashells are broken pieces

From God’s own bright teeth,

And life and love are real

Things you can run and

Breathless hand over

To the merest child.

Coco Martin is not only one of the most popular male stars in the country today, but he is also one of the most bankable, as proven by his long-running hit TV show "Ang Probinsiyano."

Starting out as an indie actor, Coco slowly gained fame and recognition through his sheer talent in acting and his positive attitude towards his work. Despite his stardom, however, Coco has retained his humility and his innate love for his craft. 

His fans know him as the guy-next-door type who hasn't let stardom get to his head. And to think that he has, to his name, around 80 awards and recognitions and over 30 nominations from prestigious award-giving bodies in a career that has spanned over a decade.

Another thing that Coco is known for is his passion for cool, high-end, and oftentimes rare vehicles. In fact, he has his own impressive collection of luxury cars and motorcycles which may be considered as the fruit of his years of hard work and dedication to his craft--a reward for a life well-lived, so to speak.

It runs in the blood

Coco's affinity to vehicles runs in the blood--he comes from a family of jeepney drivers. He’s not one to hide his humble beginnings, which is another thing that endears him to his fans.  

His grandfather made a living driving a jeepney and was able to provide for his family and meet the needed expenses in raising the children.  Coco’s father continued this particular family legacy and provided for the family by driving a jeepney as well.  

His father was also the one who taught Coco how to drive a four-wheeled vehicle.  His father would tag Coco along as his back ride and would also often ask the youngster to wash their jeepney and sometimes even fix it when needed.

Growing up, Coco would often see his father taking good care of their jeepney, and this parental care of their vehicle rubbed off on Coco who now also loves taking good care of his own vehicles himself.

He even remembers his father telling him that the engine oil is the lifeblood of any vehicle and that what we put inside the engine should be of good quality. “Using high-quality oil is critical when driving and maintaining a jeepney,” Coco’s father used to say.

Coco reveals that his father used Shell Rimula heavy-duty engine oil for their jeepney. He says that he recalls his father swearing by Shell Rimula because it gives their diesel engine a cleaner and crisper engine sound.  

"Naaalala ko na inaalagaan namin ng mabuti ang sasakyan na pinapasada niya nuon, kaya yung tatay ko Shell Rimula talaga ang ginagamit at wala nang iba,” Coco recalls. “Iba kasi ang takbo ng jeep na gamit ng tatay ko nuon pag Shell Rimula ang gamit eh. Damang-dama mo ang hatak at ang lakas ng makina,” Coco adds.

Although Coco loves driving his luxury cars and sports trucks, he admits that there's nothing like riding a motorcycle. He says that whenever he gets the chance, he rides his bike to the countryside to relax his mind from the stress of work. “Masarap po sa pakiramdam yung mag-bike ka at magpunta sa mga lugar na tahimik para makapag-relax,” he says.

His love for bikes even transcends into the big and small screen. Many of you have probably noticed Coco riding a motorcycle in his films or in TV dramas every so often.

With all the motorcycles in his collection, Coco makes sure that he personally takes care of them. And he spares no expense in ensuring that his bikes are in tip-top shape. Part of this is making sure that he uses only the best oil for his motorbikes’ engines. 

With this in mind, Coco uses nothing but Shell Advance lubricants. "Shell Advance ang gamit ko para sa aking mga motor. Natuto kasi ako sa tatay ko na Shell Rimula ang gamit para sa jeepney namin dati," Coco stresses. "Kaya ngayon, para sa mga motor ko, Shell Advance naman ang gamit ko kasi sigurado ako na mataas ang kalidad nito at siguradong kumpleto ang proteksyon na binibigay nito sa makino ko,” he adds. 

Many motorcycle enthusiasts like Coco Martin regularly use Shell Advance because it maximizes horsepower, enhances fuel economy, keeps pistons clean, provides superior wear protection and protects against extreme heat.  "May tiwala kasi talaga ako sa Shell kasi 105 years na silang gumagawa ng de-kalidad na mga langis," Coco stresses.

Shell Advance and Shell Rimula are two of the many products that form part of Shell’s 105-year legacy of service and quality, all of which aim to make the future for motorists—whether riders of motorcycles and tricycles or drivers of jeepneys, cars, and trucks.

Coco Martin in Cebu:

    The wedding season here in the Philippines just ended but despite that, there are still so many wedding ceremonies that we get to witness and wonder at. I'm sure it's not just me, but I do really love witnessing wedding ceremonies. Not only because I get to witness to hearts being orchestrated as one, but everything else inspires me, the venue, the decors, and yes, the dresses. I have not attended any wedding ceremonies this year so far, but I would really love to. The joy of dressing up comes along with it and though some may find it taxing, I couldn't just deny myself with some moments of bliss. If I'll ever go to a wedding ceremony this year, here are 3 gorgeous dresses that I would surely love to wear, and I hope you will too. 

    One of the best things about cocktail dresses is that you can wear them in so many different occasions, debuts, anniversaries, and of course weddings, you name it, it's hard not to notice someone wearing a cocktail dress on those special moments. I love this simple yet really pretty sleeveless dress. It looks elegant and along with other occasions, it's also perfect for a wedding ceremony.

     Some couples opt to have their reception in the evening. I can't blame them. It's trendy and it's also a good time to play with lights and shadows. That's one reason why an evening wear is a must for all ladies. It's fine though because just like cocktail dresses, you can always re-wear your evening dresses too granted that it's apt for the occasion. 

      Talking about repeating an outfit, there's no rule that says you can re-wear an outfit especially if it's one that you adore. A lot of young girls are worried that they won't ever wear their prom dresses again but short prom dresses are such a deal. With the right style and when the fit is still right, it can be re-worn in so many other occasions such as weddings. I love this neatly cut blue prom dress. I would very much say that this can definitely be worn in a wedding ceremony as well. 

        I hope you agree with my choices above. Which one would you like to wear in a wedding ceremony? I would love to have them all, actually!

love lots,

Tin

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