Acrylic in Ikebana: Emotional Strength

This Ikebana composition explores the depths of inner resilience by creating a profound dialogue between the transient, the preserved, and the permanent. By harmoniously blending fresh blooms with beautifully transformed dried materials, the arrangement extends the life cycle of nature, perfectly synchronizing the art form with modern sustainability.

At the core of the arrangement stands the acrylic. Its unbreakable structure embodies Fudōshin (an Unshakeable Heart) and Ki no Tsuyosa (Inner Fortitude)—standing resilient amidst the changing elements of life.

The acrylic captures the Kōmyō (Radiant Path) where natural beauty and engineered permanence coexist in perfect harmony.

Carina Galang is a wife, mother, daughter, gallery owner, gardener, and cook who embraces creativity in every aspect of her life.

Now exploring the art of Ikebana, she continues to discover new ways of expressing beauty through balance, simplicity, and nature.

Claudia Renon De Garcia is a member of the Sogetsu School of Ikebana, where floral art becomes a medium for creativity, personal expression, and connection with nature.

Inspired by the fleeting beauty of Japan’s sakura blossoms, her arrangement, Sakura Blossoms, reflects the Japanese appreciation of impermanence and renewal. Through the Sogetsu philosophy—that ikebana can be created by anyone, anywhere, using any materials—she interprets the delicate bloom of cherry blossoms as a symbol of hope, grace, and the beauty of each passing moment.

Her composition balances movement, space, and harmony, inviting viewers to pause, reflect, and connect with nature’s quiet elegance.

She believes that ikebana is more than floral design; it is an art form that transforms natural materials into a visual expression of life, culture, and the human spirit.

Consuelo “Neny” Regino is among the pioneering members of Sunshine Place, where she has taken classes in Writing, Porcelain Painting, and Ikebana.

She is a published writer whose essays, memoirs, and short stories have appeared in three Sunshine Place anthologies: Finding the Sun, Reflections in Light and Shadows, and Bridges of Memory.

Neny has also participated in exhibitions of Ikebana Sogetsu Manila, reflecting her continued dedication to both the literary and visual arts.

Cynthia Marie Heussaff is a devoted wife, mother of three, and grandmother of five. Beyond her love for family, she enjoys golfing, traveling, and exploring a variety of arts and crafts.

For Cynthia, creative pursuits are more than hobbies—they are a source of joy, balance, and peace of mind.

Laly Etroit is a widow, a mother of three daughters, and a proud wowa to two granddaughters. She joined Sunshine Place to study Ikebana under Marc Tomas and, over the past three years, has developed a deep appreciation for the Japanese art of flower arranging.

She found that the Sogetsu School of Ikebana perfectly suits her creative spirit, embracing the philosophy that arrangements can be created anytime, anywhere, and with any materials.

Beyond discovering a new artistic passion, Laly treasures the lasting friendships she has formed with fellow Ikebana enthusiasts at Sunshine Place.

Lilian Khadka finds art in almost everything and is never one to remain idle. She sees endless creative possibilities in discarded pieces of wood, metal scraps, dried leaves, tree bark, twigs, bottles, broken jars, and other everyday materials.

For Lilian, transforming what has been discarded into something artistically beautiful is both a creative joy and a true blessing.

Linda Atayde serves as the Executive Director for Education Programs of SM Foundation and holds a Master in Management from Asia Pacific College.

A longtime member of Sunshine Place since its opening, Linda has embraced lifelong learning through French and Spanish tutorials, writing classes, Ikebana, and a variety of fitness programs.

Her continued pursuit of knowledge and the arts reflects her passion for personal growth and meaningful engagement at every stage of life.

Architect Lora B. Rivera views Sogetsu Ikebana as another way of expressing her creativity beyond architecture.

Her arrangement transforms humble architectural remnants—used aluminum T-runners and cone-shaped metal pin light covers from the ceiling—into a sculptural expression of resilience and reinvention. The metallic elements intersect and rise in dynamic tension, forming an abstract, freestanding composition that evokes both movement and balance.

At its core, the cone-shaped metal forms are ingeniously repurposed as a vase, where vibrant blooms emerge in striking contrast to the cool industrial sheen—creating a harmonious dialogue between metal and flowers.

Maria Susana Yap is a former banker who believes that every stage of life offers an opportunity to grow and discover something new.

Guided by her personal motto, “Learning never ends,” she continues to embrace new experiences with curiosity, creativity, and an open mind.

Marc Tomas expresses the principles of Sogetsu Ikebana through works centered on rebirth, recycling, and relief. His compositions are thoughtfully created with careful attention to balance, color, and open space, resulting in arrangements that evoke the qualities of abstract art.

For Marc, Sogetsu Ikebana celebrates the freedom to create anytime, anywhere, and with whatever materials are available—transforming the ordinary into meaningful artistic expression.

Maribel Ronquillo finds freedom and creative expression through the art of Sogetsu Ikebana.

She delights in transforming what may seem like an ordinary collection of plants and unconventional materials into harmonious arrangements that reflect her unique artistic vision.

Maricor G. Mendoza believes that Sogetsu Ikebana has awakened the artist within her—one that had been waiting to emerge for 73 years.

Through Ikebana, she has developed a deeper appreciation for the beauty of nature, finding inspiration in living and weathered trees, as well as in recyclable materials transformed into meaningful works of art.

Michele Tan spent much of her life guided by logic and structure—until she discovered the expressive world of Ikebana.

As Michele puts it, “The left brain ran the show—until Ikebana staged a coup,” revealing a creative side that found freedom through the art of floral arrangement.