Bonsai Garden

The UP Diliman Bonsai Garden, formerly called Mr. Modesto Manglicmot Bonsai Park[1], is located along Delos Reyes Street in the University campus. It exhibits Bonsais and other species of plants personally cultivated by Mr. Modesto Manglicmot. He officially donated 175 of his Bonsais to the University as part of a memorandum of agreement signed on April 4, 2000. When asked why he agreed to this kind of arrangement, he said that aside from the free space, the University of the Philippines is an excellent venue to exhibit his plants especially because of the University’s academic environment. The Bonsai Garden was opened to the public two years after the agreement was signed due to reconstructions and renovations done on the venue to make it suitable for his plants. The garden now currently holds more than 400 Bonsais, which would eventually belong to the University, too.

From Mr. Manglicmot’s collection, 98 percent are Philippine species and more than 50 percent have won awards, with 25 pieces belonging to the top 10 winners in various Bonsai competitions. In addition, two trees have won as Best Bonsai in Show and three as Best Plant in Show in the Philippine Horticultural Annual Exhibit.[2]

Sir Modi’s Bonsais have been offered millions but none of his Bonsais are for sale. Among the many famous visitors who have visited his Bonsai garden was the late former President Corazon C. Aquino, whom he has gifted with two Bonsais.

The garden’s main income comes from events held at the Bonsai Garden and donations from generous enthusiasts. Mr. Manglicmot constructed two function rooms and a restroom, which makes the garden ideal for wedding receptions, parties, conferences, and the like. Bonsai Workshops are also being held at the garden for free every Saturday at 10 o’clock in the morning. Come with materials and packed lunch. First timers are welcome to observe first for the list of materials needed.

About Mr. Modesto Manglicmot

Modesto Manglicmot was an agriculturist at the University of the Philippines Los Baños from 1953 to 1970. Upon graduating, he did not apply for any government position but instead did actual farming. 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.

- Jasmine Sabado & Bea Tempongko

References: Pineda, Haidee. UPD's Bonsai Garden. From http://www.upd.edu.ph/whatsup/venue.html
Jose, Kathryn. UP Diliman Bonsai Garden. From http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=UP_Diliman_Bonsai_Garden
Manglicmot, Modesto. Personal interview. September 23, 2009 Media:http://www.upd.edu.ph/whatsup/images/bonsai3.jpg