It usually takes a trained eye to appreciate the beauty and heavenly metaphysical connection to the human well-being that the arts of both bonsai and suiseki (known as appreciation of naturally formed artful stones with unusual shapes and markings and finding interpretations for them) bring forth.

 “The concept between suiseki and bonsai has a philosophy. They are considered allies and both have nature’s beauty by their own. In contrast, suiseki is stationary and motionless, quiet and calm while bonsai changes its ways, mobile and has the capacity to grow and propagate,” says Serapion Metilla, P.R.O. of the Bonsai & Suiseki Alliance of the Philippines, Inc. (BSAPI).

The BSAPI is an organization seeking camaraderie within bonsai and suiseki enthusiasts and aims to further introduce and educate the public to realizing that there is more to these crafts than just being plain plants and stones.

Because of this, BSAPI recently opened an exhibit at the Quezon Memorial Circle. It runs until Saturday, July 10.

Upon entry, visitors are in for a visual treat. Several bonsai arrangements set in a multitude of styles and sizes are ensconced all over the venue. Tropical flora are organized either in downward cascades or lyrical uprightness or simply literati.Different hues of green are evident as are the woods of varying earth colors and scales.

While styling keeps the bonsai game up no matter what, BSAPI member Dr. Erwin Fabros explains that there is more to evaluating the beauty of bonsai figures than just visual appeal. “You have to also consider depth, symmetry, age, strength, stability, balance, and other factors when it comes to looking at a bonsai plant,” he shares.

The exhibit’s suiseki area is also a learning experience. At first glance, the stones displayed may look like meaningless abstract objects. However, this notion is quickly dismissed when an enthusiast says otherwise, as suiseki stones have to project a certain image, story, or figure portrayal (examples include a beautiful landscape, acts of human interactions, among others).

Metilla says that “a ‘certain point of interest’” has to be discovered when viewing suiseki stones. “It is this concept or feeling that makes one appreciate this culture when man’s mind has been moved with great satisfaction, especially after imagining for so many days the beautiful things the stone  has revealed,” he explains.

For his part, Dr. Fabros maintains that suiseki stones are free from human adjustments as they are already “carved by divine hands” through natural and earthly formations, adding that stone intricacies do not necessarily have an advantage as easy interpretation is what matters more than the design.

Foreign delegates took notice of the improving status of bonsai arrangements and selection of suiseki stones here in the country as they judged some of the items on display at the exhibit during its opening. “They were very impressed with the bonsai they saw here and they were appreciative of the presentations involved. They noted that the selection of suiseki stones are okay but may still need more refinement,” relates Dr. Fabros.

Exhibit winners were Ronald Pangan (Best Landscape), Leticia Ligon (Best Tropical Plant), Modesto “Mody” Manglicmot Jr. (Best Ornamental Plant), Becky Buenaventura (Best Suiseki), and Mike Peña (Best Bonsai).

A series of lectures tackling topics such as plant trends, landscaping, and gardening will also be held at the exhibit area featuring different speakers like Norby Bautista and Manila Bulletin’s Agriculture Editor Zac Sarian.