Fort Boni developers have to spend for art

Building owners or developers have been required by the management of the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig to set aside a part of their construction budget for the development of public art works around the city.

Jun Bisnar, head of Bonifacio Global City’s commercial operations, said the concept of promoting public art has long been conceived when construction first began in the former Philippine military facility.

"We have this Bonifacio Arts Foundation which is being managed by the board of trustees who were nominated by its members. Funds of this foundation are generated through the contribution of lot owners to help develop public art in the city," Bisnar said.

The contribution set for each lot owner is P100 per square meter. Once they buy a lot, they contribute at least P100 per square meter to the Bonifacio Arts Foundation.

"Our purpose is to be able to develop art consciousness among Filipinos including the city residents. We want our locators to be proud of their developments by having these several art pieces displayed in various parts of the city," Bisnar said.

Bisnar added they plan to develop other art pieces in the city. These are to be found even in the Bonifacio High-Street where retail establishments will be set up while pedestrians can go walk around a space as wide as Ayala Avenue.

He cited the "Pasasalamat," a bronze sculpture located along Rizal Avenue, is one of the art works that both residents and visitors can admire. The sculpture shows two fishermen looking at the heavens and thanking God for blessings given them.

"We will have more as the city grows and as the buildings sprout, because more contributions mean more public art," Bisnar noted.

He said residents in other cities who are interested in taking an art tour in Global City can take the Bonifacio transport system, an air-conditioned bus that goes around the area.

Dubbed the home of passionate minds, Global City is envisioned by its developers to become a premier business district where residents may indulge their passions.

This was made possible because of the Bonifacio Global City’s planning that will enable those who go there to live, work and play in areas all within walking distance. — Rhodina Villanueva