Evelyn F. Aldaba

The chair of the board of judges was Evelyn F. Aldaba.She is the first Filipino member based in the Philippines of the AIFD or the American Institute of Floral Designers.She is the florist designer and event stylist of Lily Flower Boutique, the official florist of Edsa Shangrila Hotel and the Manila Hotel.

The results of the tabulations were audited by Babes Cabebe, CPA, assistant manager of Casino Filipino Davao, representing the Davao Tourism Association.

The 4th Waling Cup was organized by the Puentespina Orchids and Tropical Plants, Inc., in cooperation with Smithers and Oasis Malaysia, Jasam Floral Sundries, Chrysanthemum Breeders Association, Bio Flora Columbia, Florist de Kwakel, Duo Plant Holland, SM City Davao, Department of Tourism Region 11 and supported by the Davao Tourism Association.

Twenty years in the flower business, and Evelyn Aldaba still has that zest for the business as though it were just yesterday.Based in the Philippines, Evelyn is the first and only Filipino member of the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD).Just like most stylists, she started arranging flowers using orchids from her mom's garden.Friends heard about it, she started getting orders, and eventually, her boutique was set up in 1986.At first she was into corporate accounts and birthdays; she was the first to style for hotels.Later, she ventured into weddings.

She is known for her calla lily designs - it's no surprise that they're part of the logo for her boutique.Evelyn says, "I understand the sway and movement of callas; whether I use it for a bridal bouquet, a table centerpiece or an aisle arrangement, I can really make it stand out."

Among all the stylists we talked to, Evelyn had the most number of success stories to share.There were instances when flowers were not delivered to the wedding and she would end up the lifesaver, supplying the couple's last minute orders.A client sent her a personalized album handmade by the bride.

Twenty years in the flower business, and Evelyn Aldaba still has that zest for the business as though it were just yesterday.Based in the Philippines, Evelyn is the first and only Filipino member of the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD).Just like most stylists, she started arranging flowers using orchids from her mom's garden.Friends heard about it, she started getting orders, and eventually, her boutique was set up in 1986.At first she was into corporate accounts and birthdays; she was the first to style for hotels.Later, she ventured into weddings.

She is known for her calla lily designsâ€"it's no surprise that they're part of the logo for her boutique.Evelyn says, "I understand the sway and movement of callas; whether I use it for a bridal bouquet, a table centerpiece, or an aisle arrangement, I can really make it stand out."

Among all the stylists we talked to, Evelyn had the most number of success stories to share.There were instances when flowers were not delivered to the wedding and she would end up the lifesaver, supplying the couple's last minute orders.A client sent her a personalized album handmade by the bride.

Evelyn F. Aldaba of Lily Flower Boutique received the floral industries coveted title Accredited in Floral Design designation and inducted into the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) during ceremonies at AIFD's internationally acclaimed symposium held last July 2003 in St. Louis, Missouri.

EVELYN F. ALDABA has always had the creative spirit.She looks for inspiration everywhere.Her flower shop LILY FLOWER BOUTIQUE, INC is the mirror of many years of hard work and study since 1986.Whether it be a product launch or an intimate wedding or development of special themes, Evelyn is known for her innovative, creative approach even to the smallest details.Today she is the first and only Filipino member of the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) in the Philippines.

Judging the floral arrangements were Alfonso "Ponchit" Ponce Enrile, a horticulturist, floral designer, orchid breeder and flower arranging instructor; Mark Pampling, a free-lance designer, floristry instructor and demonstrator based in Australia; and Evelyn F. Aldaba, AIFD, chairman of the board of judges a floral designer and event stylist of Lily Flower Boutique, the official florist of Edsa Shangri-la Hotel and The Manila Hotel.

Evelyn F. Aldaba, AIFD of Lily Flower Boutique is one such floral designer.A flower enthusiast for as long as she can remember, Evelyn started arranging flowers using orchids plucked from her mother's own garden during her high school days either for their church, during Christmas parties and other small occasions.

The only Filipino member to date of the prestigious American Institute of Floral Designers,Evelyn Aldaba is shown here being included by officials of the AIFD.
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Still, it took Evelyn a while to turn her hobby into a full-pledge business venture.A medical technologist by profession, Evelyn finally decided to take the plunge after getting married and had two kids.

"That's when my husband and I decided to turn the family lanai into our very first flower shop selling local flowers," she says."So by 1986, Lily Flower Boutique was officially born."

Named after her favorite flower that also has a biblical significance, Lily started as a small flower shop located in Reposo Street in Makati.It wasn't until she began to specialize in corporate accounts and special events like birthdays that good word of mouth started to spread.And with her indefatigable husband, Emmanuel, doing the marketing for Lily, it also didn't take long for her to do weddings, averaging around 10-15 a month.At right about the same time, we became the official florist of Edsa Shangri-La Hotel.Evelyn beams, "By 1994, we also had several other 5-star hotels as regular clients."

At that point it would have been a lot easier for Evelyn to rest on her laurels and simply enjoy the fruits or should we say, flowers of her labor, so to speak.But always looking for ways to improve her craft, she continued to read, research and study not just to keep up with the latest trends but also to find ways on how Lily Flower Boutique can remain innovative and creative.She went to the U.S. to take up formal training courses in advanced floral designing.

Yes, her flower arrangements give the impression that they are something that's just a piece of cake to assemble.A lot of what you see is actually hard work and it is a tribute to Evelyn's fresh ideas and open minded approach that the flowers that graces your big day looks easier to put together than they really are.

A very hands-on entrepreneur, she personally oversees every order that the Lily Flower Boutique and takes pride in saying she gives each and every one of those orders her own personal touch.

Evelyn's consistently good work did not go unnoticed.As she continued to impress not only her costumers but also her also her own peers from all over the world, she was accepted as an accredited member by the very prestigious American Institute of Floral Designers, whose membership is selective.With only 1,300 members world wide, the AIFD is committed to establish and maintain higher standards in floral designing.To be accepted Evelyn had to fulfill rigid qualifications and demonstrate advanced professional ability during her intense Accreditation Evaluation Program.

But the biggest surprise about Lily Flower Boutique is not that it now operates 3 branches located in Edsa Shangri-La Hotel, The Manila Hotel and at The Medical City in addition to its main office-warehouse in Bulalakaw St. in Mandaluyong.The most pleasant thing about Lily is that its prices are actually more affordable.Evelyn says they only charge a ballpark figure of around P10, 000 for an entourage package that's already good for 14 to 15 people and that already includes the bridal bouquet.

"People have this impression that we're expensive.That's not true at all," she says."The quality of our work is five-star but our prices are not.Many have been surprised with how reasonable our rates are."

One reason why Evelyn has managed to keep prices down is her personal preference for local flowers, which are not only cheaper but are actually more beautiful than the imported types."What I always stress is that the kind of flowers that will be used is not so much as important as to how they are designed and arranged.You can have the most expensive and most beautiful imported flowers for your wedding but if you have a floral designer who doesn't really know what to do with them, then you're not really getting your money's worth."

For orders and more information on Lily Flower Boutique, you may call Evelyn F. Aldaba, AIFD at 5337795 and 5336822 or you can e-mail them at lily flo@i-manila.com.ph or check out their website www.lilyflowerboutique.com

Contact Person: Evelyn Aldaba, AIFDPhone No. 533.7795/ 533.6822

Mobile: 0918.9195242

Email: lily flo@i-manila.com.ph