MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III was invited to be the guest of honor in an event that aims to foster peace, friendship and love through flowers.

Some 300 delegates from Japan, India, Taiwan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Australia, the United States, Germany and Italy are set to participate in the Asian Regional Conference of Ikebana International, to be held in Manila from September 23 to 26.

The group, which aims to promote Ikebana or the Japanese art of flower arrangement, said that Aquino is the ideal guest in the country's first major tourism event under the new administration especially since his late mother, former President Corazon "Cory" Aquino, is a known fan of flowers.

"Aquino's late mother, former President Corazon 'Cory' Aquino, loved to use flowers as her painting subjects," Ikebana International said in a statement.

Among the activities lined up for the 4-day conference are exhibitions of flower arrangements, bazaars and city tours.

Ikebana International said it hopes to unite people from across the globe through their mutual love of nature and enjoyment of flowers.

"With the popularity of Ikebana and believing that the art of flower arrangement can be a tool to peace and understanding among all peoples of the world, Ikebana enthusiasts and membership in various schools have increased tremendously," noted Ikebana professor Serapion Metilla in the Ikebana International - Manila chapter website.

He added, "Meeting people from different parts of the world will make you understand their various cultures, customs and traditions thus making you broad-minded which can be a tool for peace."

The 'Cory' flower

Mrs. Aquino, a known democracy icon in the country, passed away last year after suffering from colon cancer.

As a tribute to the late president, who is known to love flowers, one of her former cabinet secretaries developed a new breed of orchid and named it after her.

The Blc Cory Aquino orchid (Brassolaeliocattleya Cory Aquino), bred by former Justice Secretary Hernando Perez, is a graceful but sturdy plant with yellow and green varieties that sport pink outer petals.

The 'Cory Aquino' flower. Credit: Philippine Horticultural Society.

Perez, in an earlier interview, said the plant was bred from an orchid variety called "Benigno Aquino," named after Mrs. Aquino's late husband.

It took 5 years to grow, using cross-pollination methods.