HORTIKULTURA Sugbo 2019 surely did not disappoint Cebu’s plant and flower enthusiasts as Parkmall’s four-day arts and plants festival opened on April 25 at the mall’s ground floor. The event which ran until April 28, offered everything from traditional to contemporary garden designs using endemic and indigenous plants, new hybrids as well as newly appreciated species.
Apart from showcasing plants, discussions and lectures on different agricultural topics were also held. East West Seeds (EWS) and bonsai were on display as well. Jason Martonilla, a member of the Cebu Bonsai Society, expressed enthusiasm as he displayed a number of bonsai plants at the mall. Martonilla, who hails from Cordova town, said his goal for the event was to educate people about the art of bonsai. A bonsai is an art form using cultivation techniques to produce small trees in containers that mimic the shape and scale of a full-size tree.
Hortikultura also showcased exotic plants that are not endemic to Cebu. Alexander Faburada, owner of Exotic Carnivorous Plants (an online plant shop that sells exotic plants to locals), said he was happy that Parkmall invited them to showcase their plants so that they could raise awareness and appreciation for them. “I’m happy that they made this possible because now we can educate the people on the importance of these plants,” said Faburada who has made a hobby out of cultivating exotic plants for a year. Some plants that are endemic in North America were shipped to Mindanao before they arrived in Cebu to provide a transition period for the tropical climate of the Philippines.
Icee Cardones, Parkmall’s marketing officer, said that Hortikultura Sugbo had been part of their campaign towards becoming an Earth-friendly mall. They started off with Earth Hour last March, Hortikultura Sugbo this month, and next month, the 10th year of Pet Festival Philippines. Around 30 plant exhibitors joined the event including the members of the Cebu City Farmer’s Federation and its provincial counterpart.
In the future, they plan to bring more exhibitors from different nurseries around the region and make the Hortikultura Sugbo a bi-annual event. “In our hopes of becoming a relevant community mall in Cebu, we focus our events in celebrating hobbies that reflect the Cebuano lifestyle – purposeful and creative,” explained Kaye Carpio, one of the main proponents. SPONSORED CONTENT