Bohol’s Blue Grass Project Wins in Hong Kong Flower Show 2023

Barely a year after representing & winning for the Philippines the Best Creative Design Award- Professional category at the 12^th International FDSS Floral Design Competition held in Singapore last year, the Bohol- based Blue Grass Project of Boy Dumadag & Michael Yu won another international award.

Blue Grass Project was conferred the Grand Award at the 2023 Hong Kong Flower Show for Unique Feature International Category. 

Dubbed simply as “ROTOR” their award- winning floral installation was predominantly made from wicker, bamboo, raffia, dried botanicals, pebbles, wire, metals. Rotor made use of gloriosa superba, eustoma, dianthus, alocasia amazonica, gypsophila, pink cordeline, anthuriums, garden roses and tillandsia.

The design was a tribute to people’s tenacity and resilience in the midst of obstacles and challenges. During an exclusive interview, Mr. Dumadag and Mr. Yu explained that the rotor is the moving part of a turbine that provides the lift that enable rotary wings to fly.

“After pandemic lockdowns in Bohol, Philippines that halted trade, travel & tourism for two years and followed by super typhoon that devastated the entire island, it was imperative that Boholanos rise and pick up the pieces again. Our people were able to hurdle that dark chapter because we were able to restart the engine that would enable us to move forward. That engine, that force, that persistence became our driving force. We are therefore the rotors of our own lives.”

The storyline and the design concept resonated with the floral exhibit’s organizers, judges, participants and visitors alike because they could relate with Blue Grass Project’s journey. In fact, the floral show was also put on a two- year hiatus before it reopened again this year. Huge crowds came in droves to Victoria Park to celebrate the return of the annual Hong Kong Flower Show in Causeway Bay after it was cancelled in 2020 due to safety concerns brought by the COVID19 pandemic

The annual flower show is organized by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD.  

The Philippines also won the Merit Award Unique Feature Category & the World Flower Council – Philippines Chapter got the judges’ nod for the Grand Award for Design Excellence.   

Fab & Fantastic Bohol Wedding Photos by Nog Bernido

Here’s a sneak peek at the breathtaking forest wedding of Joan Christine and Frederic Soupart as captured by the lenses of top Bohol- based photographer Nog Bernido (www.nogbernido.com).

Event styling & Floral arrangements :Blue Grass Project  by Michael Yu & Joseph Ven Dumadag

Wedding Coordinator: Silverbleu Weddings & Things Marigold Zaldivar Fuego

Hair & Make Up: Jhan Jhan del Valle

Wedding Gown: Karen Ferrer  

Bueno & Adolfo Nuptials

NEWLYWEDS: Joy & Mon

CHEERS to Francis Raymund V. Bueno, eldest son of my fave high school teachers Enrique & Cecilia Bueno for his fairytale wedding to Joy Adolfo, daughter of Noe & Ofelia Adolfo last Dec 27.

The bride who hails from Cabancalan, Mandaue is a psychiatrist and a Diplomate of the Philippine Board of Psychiatry. The CIM graduate holds clinic in Cebu Doctors University Hospital and is an in- house Psychiatrist of Metropsyche-Road and Bridges to Recovery Cebu Branch. She also teaches at the Cebu Institute of Medicine, Velez College and the Gullas College of Medicine.

The Boholano groom is a Johnson & Johnson Phils product specialist. Truly psyched up for love

Dr. Joy will be a welcome addition not only to the Bueno family but also to the medical community in Bohol where she will also extend her professional services

Here are more highlights of the Bueno & Adolfo Nuptials

my gorgeous friends Myla & JR Bueno with Macy

Wedding Coordination: Silverbleu Wedding

Event Styling: Blue Grass Project of Boy Dumadag & Michael Yu 

Picture Perfect Pre- Nuptial Photos

NOT JUST ANOTHER LOVE STORY

A year ago on October 13 to be exact, the beautiful love story of Jun Lee and  Gladys Bojo was sealed with the couple’s exchange of lifetime vows based on unconditional love, trust, honesty and commitment   at the Assumption of Our Lady Parish Church in Dauis, Bohol

THE BRIDE

Gladys who is affectionately called by family and friends as Tata is the daughter of Mr. Brillo & Mrs. Erlinda Bojo of Tagbilaran City. 

THE GROOM

Jun happens to be Jun Lee, a very charming, affable and boyish- looking gentleman from Taiwan

For more on the couple’s church wedding and dinner reception, here’s the link:

Gladys & Jun's Wedding 

WHIMSICAL. WACKY. WINSOME

Here are some of my favorite photos from their pre- nuptial photo session

I just love the variety of the photos. Memorable moments that have been captured and frozen in time.

Who could have thought of the concept, the styling and the designs? The couple was able to pull it off not only because of their good looks but also because of the chemistry between the smitten lovebirds.  

Cheers again Tata & Jun!

Krizia Marie Dancel Gango: Music Is Her Passion

OF TEENS AND TALENTS

Our paths crossed when she competed in the talked- about “Teen Idol Quest Batch 2”, a grueling three- month talent search organized by MizKen Andan of Runway Icons. 

THE JURORS

Talented and versatile Lailette Geulen, Manila- based Boholana TV & movie actress/ singer who , 2oo5 Miss Philippines Earth- Air Region 7 Loida Lagonoy and I were the three permanent jurors for the entire duration of the contest. 

We were tasked not only with selecting the winners but also to mentor and guide the contestants as they battled it out week after week in the different performing & creative arts challenges.

Anyway, to make the long and and winding introductory part of this feature shorter and therefore, more interesting, we' ll skip the details and we'll go straight to the contest outcome.

Krizia won the talent search that culminated in an exciting finale that featured the Final Four

ENDURING FRIENDSHIP

It was right after the said competition that I got to know and befriend her mom, the feisty Mary Ruth “Boots” Dancel Gango. It turned out that we had mutual friends and similar interests and it was to be the start of an enduring friendship with the Gango family

TURNING 18

who would have realized that this was no passing fancy?

unmistakable poise and grace even at a young age

The baby is now a lady

When Krizia turned 18 years old, I was more than delighted to have been given by Boots and her hubby Gerry, an international ship captain, the task of organizing and conceptualizing the debutante’s coming out party. 

At the time of her debut, she was already a freshman majoring in Voice at the Conservatory of Music at the University of Santo Tomas. 

Singing "The Way You Look Tonight" for  her Daddy Gerry

Guess who was the proudest mom that night

Since she was a budding warbler and chanteuse, her mom and I decided to have a celebration that would showcase and highlight her mellifluous voice and musical virtuosity from the Opening Cotillion to the presentations. 

Pure magic as Clyde Ebojo & Krizia sing "All I Ask Of You" from Phantom of the Opera

SISTER ACT. Talent times two with Krizia & only sister Kimberly 

Showing off her musical virtuosity with the violin

The event memento was a CD recording of song choices that reflected her eclectic tastes in music.

The event, which was styled by Blue Grass Project of Boy Dumadag & Michael Yu, was conceptualized by the bubbly and creative mother of the debutante, Boots Dancel- Gango and good friend Raul Gatal.

Tasked with dressing up the debutante, her mom and sister was affable EJ Relampagos

Everyone was in rapt attention with the musical highlights

PARTY HIGHLIGHTS

Among the highlights of the evening included the modern cotillion featuring the debutante’s very close friends and kin, the touching father- daughter serenade and dance, the enchanting interpretative dance number from Aya Montero, of the famous Alona Tropical Resort, and Jaylord Calipusan, son of Loboc Mayor Leon Calipusan, and a serenade by an ABS CBN talent courtesy of Rotarian and now Panglao Mayor Nila Montero

FUTURE PLANS

At a quick glance, one would easily dismiss Krizia as somebody who is snooty and supercilious in her ways. 

On the contrary, she is a very simple girl who is very easy to please, very kikay and has this ability to put people at ease

PRESENT PERFECT

Right now, she is putting her studies on hold as she is determined to make a name as a performing artist. 

One of her long- term plans include setting up a music studio where she can help mold young talents and give them the same opportunities that had been given to her

Music runs in Krizia's mother side, the Dancel family. In fact, according to Reigh Prudente Monreal, 

"Krizia's Lolo is one of Loon's leading lights in music. He was a very good dancer and choreographer, too. as well as a concert pianist.

Boots' (mother of Krizia) uncle Alan was also a concert pianist who toured the world with The Reycards, Carmen Pateña and Pilita Corrales, to name a few, as their official accompanist."

 with her BFF Paulaine Magallanes and your blogger

Debut AVP

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