History of Tiwi Japanese Garden (second in a series)

In the first few years after its completion, the supervision and maintenance of the Japanese Garden was under the jurisdiction and supervision of Barangay Tigbi, since the barangay council in partnership with some prominent movers and shakers of the town spearheaded the fundraising drive for the creation of the Filipino-Japanese Friendship Garden in Tiwi.

Mayor Oriel C. Clutario (seen in this photo from the 1970s with vice-mayor Alfredo Corullo among others) was one of the driving forces behind the project and became so enamored with the traditionally designed Japanese strolling garden as well as with the colorful and beautiful fishes that he took it upon himself to personally handle the upkeep of the garden. For years, the townspeople would often see the mayor feeding the Koi and the large-mouth gouramies in the pond as well as trimming the ornamental plants all by himself.

During his long tenure, Mayor Oriel Clutario even had Tio Juan Cruz, one of the Municipio’s utility men, designated as the caretaker of the Japanese garden and if needed would assign other municipal personnel at his disposal to help maintain its charm and beauty.

The Tiwi Japanese Garden is more than 50 years old and is probably the first and oldest authentic Japanese garden designed by a Japanese national in the Philippines. Also, it is older and its landscape design more beautiful than the ones found at the Luneta and in Lake Caliraya in Laguna respectively. The Japanese Garden is also one of the last, if not the last public green space in the heart of Tiwi.

—- a few distinctions that if properly explored especially after the Covid-19 pandemic, a rehabilitated and well-maintained Tiwi Japanese Garden, especially in this age of instagram and social media, can once again be a magnet for domestic and international tourists alike, with the potential to help reinvigorate the once prosperous tourism industry in Tiwi.

It is worth noting that the Japanese Garden’s creation was spearheaded by Tiwinhons and its construction was funded by money through the efforts of Tiwinhons. It was an endeavor, guided by the spirit of Bayanihan to attain a common goal.

And if we consider the Japanese Garden’s age as well as the circumstances behind its creation, the Japanese Garden qualifies to be registered and be classified as one of the Heritage Sites of Tiwi. Let us hope that the Local Government, who at present is undergoing a cultural mapping of the town, will consider its inclusion and push for the aforementioned distinction under Republic Act 10066 or the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009.