Flower crown princess Ashley Reiko Pangelinan

Ashley Reiko Pangelinan, third from left, and some of her students wear the tropical flower crowns they created, after the Tropical Flower Crown Workshop at Marianas Creations last Saturday. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS)

“With flower crowns, when you give it, you’re giving your love.”

And perhaps, love is what today’s Spotlight feature holds most dear. In talking with Ashley Reiko Pangelinan, her love radiates—for her family, especially her grandmother, for her garden, for her furry babies, for her art.

Saipan-born and -raised Pangelinan spreads love by holding tropical flower crown workshops on the island. She considers the craft as flower artistry, creating one’s own art in flower form.

Pangelinan learned the flower crown craft in Hawaii, where she spent 11 years of her adolescent life.

“I consider my second home Hawaii, so I am also bringing the aloha here,” Pangelinan said.

While aloha is more commonly heard as a greeting, it is a concept and a way of living that has multiple meanings, including love, affection, and sharing of life energy.

“I just wanted to teach what I could do to others so they can also do it on their own. With flower crowns and leis, when you give it, you are giving your love. Especially if you make it yourself, it is great to give it,” she said.

Her flower crown art is also a tribute to her grandmother, the late Maria Villagomez Pangelinan, who passed away in 2014. Pangelinan learned a lot from her grandmother.

“Flowers, in general, remind me of my grandma. My grandma was all about gardening and orchids and everything else,” she said. “When I do wear a flower crown, it just reminds me of my grandma.”

The late Pangelinan was well known in the community, and was a coordinator for the Santa Lourdes Church, where she also did flower arrangements.

“I wish my grandma is still alive to see what I’m doing now,” Pangelinan said. “I learned a lot from her.”

With her grandmother as her queen, Saipan’s flower crown princess, aside from the flowers she grows in her home in Mt. Tapochau, also sources her flowers from her grandmother’s garden.

“My grandma left her garden to the family,” Pangelinan said. “I have been just utilizing her garden and, since her place is all the way in Kagman, I brought some of the flowers and I grew [them too] at my place. I am hoping that it’s going to turn out as great as my grandma’s garden.”

Pangelinan continues her grandmother’s legacy of spreading her love for flowers through her business, Pualani Crown, where she beautifully handcrafts, as well as teach people to create, flower crowns.

While her seven cats love flowers and her puppy likes to eat flowers, Pangelinan is the only one now in the family who is into flowers.

“They are proud and they see my grandma in me.”

For those who want to give love through, and learn more about flower crowns, contact Pangelinan at pualanicrown@gmail.com.

Saipan-born and -raised Pangelinan spreads love on the island through her flower crowns.