Phl bamboo carving contest winners now on exhibit

The winning entries in the 1st Philippine Bamboo Carving Competition will be on exhibit starting today, Feb. 25 at the Bencab Museum in Barangay Asin, Tuba town in Benguet.

Topping the entries is Fernando Tayaban, of Barangay Asin, Tuba, who emerged as champion winning P25,000 for his entry “Cordillera Culture.”

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

Thirteen other entries were given special awards.

A total of 42 entries were submitted to the contest, which was organized by the Philippine Bamboo Foundation ( PBF). Each received P2,500 as incentive. One entry voted by carvers as most unique 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, was graced by Congressman Bernardo Vergara and Baguio City Bishop Cenzon.

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

Bencab Museum is located along Kilometer 6, Asin Road, Tuba, Benguet. For inquiries, interested parties can call (+63 74) 4427165) or 0920-5301954.