Kabayan, JV in Koi competition

MANILA, Philippines - The first International 2011 Philippine Koi competition will be held on Feb. 5 and 6 at Kois & Ponds, 43 Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City with Noli de Castro, avid Koi collector and competitor cutting the ceremonial-ribbon. Along with De Castro gracing the event are Mikee Romero and Dennis Sytin, San Juan City Rep. JV Ejercito, and Butch Campos, producer of popular ketchup and vinegar brands.

Organizing the event is Michael Hernandez, a Gantimpala theater and komedya actor from San Dionisio, Parañaque. When he got introduced to Koi collecting and breeding, his acting life went on hold.

Today, as seven-time judge and the only Filipino juror of All-Japan Koi competitions, Michael is proprietor of Kois & Ponds, organizer of current Koi competition, and deeply involved as a serious Koi collector. Hernandez has related that 80 percent in producing a Koi champion is finding the right genealogy or blood line. The remaining 20 percent is the quality of sustenance and food given to the Koi potential champion.

Michael Hernandez with Japanese Master Judges in 2007

Seven Japanese Masters will judge the Koi show. Mikee and Dennis are two of the best Filipinos in prestigious All-Japan Koi shows in the past. Mikee has won a total of 15 awards in Japanese and international competitions, while Dennis is the only other Filipino to win a major award in a top Japanese Koi show as adult champion at the Wakagoi Koi Show.

Ten years ago, Hernandez designed a Koi food product TOMIGAI in consultation with the masters in Japan significantly Kenji Tani, tested it before releasing it in the Philippines and two years ago in the US market. The 2011 Philippine International Koi Show has a total of 37 titles at stake with trophies to be awarded courtesy of the Tani Koi Farm in Chiba, Japan.

While admitting that high-grade Koi collecting is still in its infancy in the Philippines compared to other Asian countries, Hernandez is confident that the rate of appreciation is growing. However, only 30 to 50 Filipinos can be tagged serious collectors at present. The rest are hobbyists, which is how Michael Hernandez himself started.

For details, call 927-9213.