Editing Bonsai Garden (section)

== About Mr. Modesto Manglicmot ==


Modesto Manglicmot was an agriculturist at the University of the Philippines Los Baños from 1953 to 1970. Upon graduating, instead of applying for government positions, he did actual farming to broaden his agricultural experience. In 1970, he applied for a teaching position in Jose Abad Santos Memorial School (JASMS), a school in Quezon City. In his 15 years there, he worked on ornamental plant production, rice culture and poultry. 


His fascination and ultimately his decision to dedicate himself to the art of making Bonsais came about by chance. He happened to read an article in Reader’s Digest and thought that it would be easy working on Bonsais. He assumed that one would simply have to do the opposite of growing a plant; giving less water etc. (Incidentally, Bonsais need a lot of water for its preservation) He found out soon enough that tending to Bonsais was a much more difficult feat to accomplish.  


In 1980, he applied as a regular member of the Philippine Bonsai Society. It was also in this year that he was assigned to head a small group that was to participate in the biennial Bonsai Show; a Japanese event. There were ten members of this group. Sir Modi prepared the stands and the backdrop of the Bonsais and he displayed three of what he thought were his best. But then his group mates brought in their Bonsais, and in Sir Modi’s own words: “If I can only disappear, I would have disappeared”. Then he thought, “If my Bonsais are ugly and theirs are pretty, then I will have contributed something to the group also. My Bonsais will provide the contrast between a good and an ugly Bonsai”. Because of his first Bonsai exhibit experience, Sir Modi was challenged to do better and excel in this art. 


Wanting to learn more about the art of Bonsai making, Sir Modi then went to an annual Bonsai and Suiseki exhibition and convention in Osaka, Japan. He went there to know more about Bonsais and at the same time, he wanted to find someone who would teach him the basics of Bonsai making. He was given a one-on-one session by a master of the art and his instructor even let him have a hands-on experience. At the end of their 4 day session, he was surprised, albeit very pleased to find out that the sessions were done for free. This was because he was a member of the Philippine Bonsai Society which was affiliated to the Nippon Bonsai Society in Japan. This is the reason why Sir Modi does not charge his students in the Bonsai-making workshop he has on Saturdays. He teaches people who are interested in the art, for free. One of his students was former UP President Emilio Javier. The workshop starts at 10 o’clock in the morning. 


Mr. Modesto Manglicmot was the former President of the Suiseki and Saikei Society of the Philippines, the Philippine Bonsai Society, the Philippine Horticultural Society and the Fern Society of the Philippines. 


Although he owns one of the most beautiful and expensive Bonsai collections, Sir Modi, as he is fondly called, appears to be a very simple man. Several times, He has been offered more than a million pesos for a beautiful Bonsai, but he has declined a number of times too, not being interested in the money his Bonsais could generate for him. Instead, he would occasionally give a Bonsai as a gift.


Corenne Martin and Trisha Cruz

References: 
Pineda, Haidee. UPD's Bonsai Garden. From http://www.upd.edu.ph/whatsup/venue.html<br />
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Bulaong, Carmen Bettina (Professor, College of Architecture). Lecture on Japanese Architecture. 17 February 2012.

Virtudazo, Maricar. UP Diliman Bonsai Garden breathes new life to a fading art form. From http://www.noypi.ph/index.php/featured/5080-up-diliman-bonsai-garden-breathes-new-life-to-a-fading-art-form.html<br/>


[[Category:Venues]]