Kay Jimenez and the bamboo grass

Bamboo, the fastest-growing grass, satisfies the three basic human needs: food, clothing and shelter. It can be considered the savior of the Philippine environment for its potential in preserving the forests and rehabilitating degraded land. You can start to harvest bamboo regularly four years after planting without killing the bamboo, unlike a tree. The Philippines is the sixth among the largest exporters of bamboo in the world.

This article is about Carolina “Kay” Gozon Jimenez, known as the “bamboo queen.” As a young girl, Kay was fascinated with the bamboo. She loved its beauty and grace, the sound of its rustling leaves with the blowing wind was music to her ears. To start her garden in Antipolo, she consulted Modi Manglicmot, a renowned landscaper and “bonsai king.” Kay also sought the help of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and brought in several bamboo species. In 2000, Carolina Bamboo Garden (CBG) was born. With the help of bamboo experts, government agencies, and other resource people, CBG developed into a true facility for the research and development of bamboo, gaining fame nationwide and internationally.

CBG, a five-hectare lot in Antipolo, is a living bamboo museum with around 50 bamboo species growing lush around the garden. In CBG stands the unique 100% bamboo house designed by Architect Angel Lazaro, Jr. with a “hyperbolic paraboloid” roof shape like an eagle’s wing. The latest addition to the garden is the Bamboo Museum. From a former staff house made of hollow blocks and cement, it has been transformed into a beautiful, rustic, welcoming museum with the simple touch of bamboo. On display in the museum are a bamboo bicycle, musical instruments, crafts, ornaments and bamboo threads and fabrics for clothing, as well as bamboo alkansiya or piggy banks of different sizes, takefumi or the traditional Japanese foot massager, and many other interesting bamboo items. The second bamboo organ in the Philippines can now be found there as well.

A national culture treasure, the 19th century bamboo organ in St. Joseph Parish Church in Las Piñas is the oldest, largest and the only one of its kind. A bamboo organ similar to the one in Las Piñas but built with bamboo from her own garden was Kay’s longtime dream. How did she start? She sought the help of environmentalist and scientist Cora Claudio, director of Philippine Science Centrum. Engineer Jun Gando was commissioned to construct the organ from scratch. It was not easy. He had not done this before. It was also quite sensitive as it has delicate air pipes and other complex components, but after six months, it was finished and used bamboos all from Kay’s garden.

At the Bamboo Museum opening, the guest of honor was Cynthia Villar, chairman of the Senate Committee on Food, Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources. A lover of bamboo and its benefits, she planted bamboo along the Las Piñas riverbanks. Also present were Antipolo Councilor Edward O’Hara with wife Rachel, Antipolo Tourism Officer Marino Bacani, Antipolo Environment Officer Violeta Faiyaz, the Lazaro family, and friends, including classmates Walter and Annabelle Brown, Grace Maravilla, and Catalina Medina, among others. Also present were former Agriculture Secretary Cito and Malen Lorenzo, who are passionate about bamboo and especially engineered bamboo for housing and its potential to uplift the lives of Filipino farmers.

The event was a family affair and labor of love. Kay’s husband, former GMA CEO Nards Jimenez, CBG President Joel and Gidget, and daughter Laurie Westfall were present and attended to guests. Their eldest son, PLDT’s SVP Butch and wife Tricia, planned the whole event, assisted by Carol Pobre of The Mind Museum. Butch and son Miguel were emcees. Benjamin “Beej” Jimenez produced the beautiful video about CBG’s beginnings and contributions to society. Brother-in-law Ed Tarriela invited the Roldan brothers Dean Albert and violist Isaac to render a musical number. Other musical performers were CARE Philippines’ Rondalla and Dulce Punzalan’s Kawayan 7 Modern Bamboo Band, who had the guests dancing to the bamboo beat. But the special treat of the day was gospel singer Tricia Jimenez and grandnephew, 12-year-old Rafael Benjamin “RB” Tarriela performing a duet of “Edelweiss” accompanied by no less than Kay herself in the “maiden performance” featuring her bamboo organ, Kay’s dream and vision came true.

The Bamboo Museum pays tribute to the bamboo  and its potential to feed, clothe, shelter, and bring countless benefits to Filipinos. Congratulations to Kay the Bamboo Queen! Come visit the Bamboo Museum in Antipolo!

Flor G. Tarriela is former PNB chairman. She is lead independent director of Nickel Asia Corp., director of LTG Inc. and FINEX.  A gardener and an environmentalist she founded Flor’s Garden in Antipolo which practices natural farming technology. Flor’s Garden is beside Carolina Bamboo Garden.