P500K bronze crown in Luneta stolen

MANILA, Philippines - A priced bronze Juan Sajid Imao sculpture worth P500,000 was stolen from the Artists' Haven (Kanlungan ng Sining) complex in Rizal Park, Manila.

The crown displayed on a pedestal in the area was replaced with a plant as as a cover-up for the theft.

Park officials said they discovered the theft of the three-foot sculpture last Saturday.

Imao's wife Cielo said in a report by Coconuts Manila that the artist regrets the loss of the sculpture, which was submitted to the Art Associations of the Philippines awards and donated after the competition.

Imao, although visually impaired, is known for his  40-foot cast-metal bronze statue of Lapu-Lapu in Luneta.