THE Grand Harvest and Gala flower, fashion and food celebration during the Bohol International Flower Festival (BIFF) held at the Be Grand Resort in Panglao town Friday night (Nov. 24) was successful, according to the Michael Yu Full fb pst.
“BE Grand Resort Bohol, indeed, put the island’s best petal up close and forward,” as a result of the efforts he, Ven Dumadag, Be Grand and other stakeholders exerted, he said.
“It was like I was attending a museum art exhibit opening in Europe or the US,” quipped curator Mike Larson as quoted as saying.
There were 22 award-winning international florists from 15 countries; 14 Boholano and 8 Cebuano guest fashion designers outdid themselves with their awesome creative geniuses; 44 runway models strutted the floristry blooms and avant-garde couture pieces to convey the creatives’ respective design philosophies to the 200 guests who showed up at the BE Grand Convention Center.
The resort’s Executive Chef Erwin Eusebio, Pastry Chef Marlo Lidot, Chef Jenzel Fontilla and Chef Jason Kim Abalayan of The Monkey Bar, Lune and new Bridge Restaurant, guest chefs Emma Gomez of soon-to-open Animula, and Tokyo-based chocolate bon bon expert Rose Amores Hudson displayed their knacks in cuisine as the visitors were mesmerized.
The 2023 Bohol International Flower, Food and Wine Festival entertained guests with food stations offering elevated Bol-anon dishes using local ingredients, which wowed the crowd that included connoisseurs and food vloggers.
And One of the evening’s highlights was the honoring of Madam Helena T. Benedicto for her great innate love for plants and flowers.
Congresswoman Vanessa C. Aumentado, wife of Gov. Aris Aumentado gave the opening remarks signaling the fashion show in colorful and impressive flowers and couture designs worn by the models.
Be Grand resort chief operating officer Nova Noval, in her short speech, put importance of the role of family and friends that may have contributed to the BIFF.
Inabanga Mayor Jono Jumamoy with his better half, who was present during the show, minced no words during the interview, introducing the locally-made “lemoncello” as one of the showcase wine displays.
“Garbo sa atoang INB ARK farmers hilabi na sa Barangay Cawayan,” he said. (It’s our pride and pride of barrio Cawayan). He thanked Chef Jenzel Fontilla for guiding the farmers of Inabanga.
A day before, a live demo in front of the mall audience was conducted with around 2 dozen international floral masters onstage at the Activity Center of Island City Mall.
“The bloom experts dazzled the crowd with their designs, techniques, structures and use of materials. The finished pieces will be on display at the stage until this weekend.”
After their tour, India’s Shiva Servai hastened to say. “Out of all my trips around the world, this one is the best ever.”
“Thank you so much for inviting us. This is such a wonderful experience for me,” said Euro Cup floristry champion Pirjo Koppi of Finland, wiping tears from her eyes.
The organizers thanked you Department of Tourism, Ms Joanne Mendez Pinat, Ms Bianca for facilitating the countryside tour and dolphin watching expedition! And Ms Tisay Labunog for the fun river cruise.
The 2023 BIFF is made possible through the support of BE Grand Resort Bohol, Rep. Vanessa Van-van Aumentado, Bohol Bee Farm Resort, Island City Mall, Prawn Farm – Island City Mall, The Buzz Cafe, South Palms Resort Panglao, North Zen Villas, South Farm Panglao-Bohol, The Bellevue Resort, Amorita Resort, Modala Beach Resort, 7’s Shopping Center, Best Western Plus The Ivywall Resort-Panglao, Dumaluan Beach – Marilou Resort, Bohol Beach Club, Azul de Panglao Hotel, Sisa Bistro, Sushihan Alona, SOSI Bistro, Lola Lilia’s Cakes and Pastries, Vedge Bohol, LV Travel & Tours & Transport Services, BIG Jewelry Creation, JJ’s Seafood Village, Ibabaw Gardens, Bohol Designers Circle, Rafflesia Flower Shop, Sunburst Fried Chicken Alta Citta, VAC Foods Corporation, Loboc Riverwatch Floating Resto, First Flower Avenue, Shower Petals Flower Shop, World Flower Council Philippines and Blue Grass Project. (rvo w/ Michael Yu)
