Anthony Gedang’s bonsai art

MANILA, Philippines - Growing up in one of the poorest streets in Metro Manila pushed film producer/art collector Anthony Gedang to grab every opportunity that comes his way and to make the most out of it to the best of his ability.

Anthony, or Tonet to his friends and relatives, is a 1983 BS Commerce graduate of Adamson University. He finished his MBA at the Ateneo University. He produced the award-winning indie film Ataul For Rent, which is directed by Neil Tan under his own moviemaking outfit, Artiste Entertainment Works International. He also produced another indie film titled Casa. Recently, they just wrapped up the post-production of Salvajes, which is the directorial debut of Ronnie Lazaro.

Aside from producing films, Tonet is a successful businessman. He is the president of WaterKonsult Equipment and Services, Inc., one of the leading water equipment and service suppliers serving Manila Water, Maynilad and many other water utilities and districts all over the Philippines.

His first worked in Uptown Industrial Sales as a salesman. He became a business partner of the owner and eventually put up his own company. Then he discovered and nurtured an interest in growing bonsai.

Through his fascination with bonsai plants, he found another way to de-stress. “The next thing I knew, I was joining different international and local bonsai competitions. I won in the Asia-Pacific. The Taiwan competition was the toughest. Japan kasi hindi pareho ang halaman natin.”

It’s been 15 years since he started growing and collecting bonsai plants. “He’s no longer actively joining competitions. Nag-i-sponsor na lang ako sa kanila sa mga exhibit. I’ve given space for exhibition. Itatayo ko ‘yun at lalagyan ng bonsai, ‘yung mga libro ko sa ibaba. Nagi-ikebana rin ako. Tapos may stones ako na naka-display doon. Lahat ng hilig ko sa arts, pinasok ko sa exhibit ko ng bonsai ko. Kasunod nito nahilig na ako sa pangongolekta ng artifacts,” he said.

His collection, made up of artifacts, rare antiques and historic items, is in a museum at his residence in Quezon City. Entrance is free.

Just recently, Adamson University’s Rotating Exhibits Gallery presented cultural artifacts collection of Anthony last month at the newly-designed gallery in a show dubbed Travel, Learn, Conquer: The Gedang Experience.

The exhibition design and management is by Ayala Museum.