This year's Philippine International Flora and Fauna Garden Expo featured several plant exhibits. Among them is the booth created by the members of the Philippine Orchid Society.

Strong winds and heavy rains failed to put a damper on this year’s Philippine International Flora and Fauna Garden Expo. Held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City this month, the show is popularly known as PIFGEX 2009. The four-day event, which carried the theme “Protecting and Sustaining Nature,” lured at least 20,000 visitors.

The grand opening ceremony was graced by no other than Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza, Miss Philippines Eco-Tourism and Miss PAGCOR  Adie Adelantar, event manager Bon Reyes of ICE, Inc., and Stephen Kamphuis of RPN Flora & Fauna, Inc.

The World Trade Center was once again transformed into a Garden of Eden, thanks to the landscape exhibits of the Philippine Orchid Society, King Louie Plants and Flowers, EDSA Garden House, the Philippine Association of Landscape Architects, Cacti & Succulent Society, and the DENR. Also on display where Toucan birds, ostriches, owls, domesticated snakes, lizards, aquarium fish, and dogs. These animals were exhibited by Zoobic Safari, EWK Aviaries, Arowana & Luohan Society, and the Red Ostrich Farm. 

Aside from the exhibits, the show featured a two-day conference, as well as lectures on animal raising and plant growing. A flower arranging competition also took place and the works of the participants were later exhibited in the lobby.  Visitors also flocked to the retail area to shop for plants.

The exposition was certainly a success as it effectively showcased various types of gardens, and Philippine plants and animals.  It managed to prove how rich our country’s flora and fauna is though there still is a pressing need to conserve and protect their habitat.