Benguet carver tops bamboo contest

MANILA, Philippines - A semi-retired wood carver from Benguet bested 41 other entries to emerge as champion in the first-ever Philippine Bamboo Carving Competition in the country.

Fernando Tayaban, of Barangay Asin, Tuba, Benguet, received P25,000 for his entry “Ifugao and Benguet Festival.”

Second place went to David Namalmag for his entry “The Story of Hunter,” for which he received P15,000. Napoleon Ognayong won third place and P10,000 for his entry “Ifugao Ritual (Salt Container).”

Thirteen other entries were given special awards.

Three honorable mentions each received P5,000. Six other entries got the Judges’ Choice Award and P3,000 each, while four were given special citations and P2,000 each.

A total of 42 entries were submitted to the competition, which was organized by the Philippine Bamboo Foundation. Each received P2,500 as incentive. One entry was voted by the carvers as the most unique entry and received an additional P5,000.

The board of judges included National Artist Ben Cabrera, sculptors Benji Reyes and Peter Pinter, film director Kidlat Tahimik, writer and actor Lenny Borja, and Laguna Lake Development Authority department manager and environmentalist Prof. Ermelinda Tobias.

The awarding ceremonies, held at the Baguio City Country Club, were graced by Rep. Bernardo Vergara and Baguio City Bishop Carlito Cenzon.

The Philippine Bamboo Foundation, through the leadership of its president, Edgardo Manda, has been actively promoting bamboo as an alternative planting material for the reforestation of the denuded mountains of Benguet since 2007.

The winning entries and most of the other entries are displayed at the Bencab Museum in Barangay Asin, Tuba, Benguet until March 11.