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Monday, March 10, 2003
Ifugaos: Best woodcarvers in country
By Harley Palangchao
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- For decades, villagers from Ifugao are noted not only because they play host to the world-famous rice terraces or with their peculiar jokes but also because they are among the best woodcarvers in the country.
In a stunning display of skills, woodcarvers from that province bested non-Cordilleran counterparts during the just-concluded First Cordillera Woodcarving Festival held in this capital town of Benguet.
Multi-awarded woodcarver Hector Himmiwat was adjudged the over-all champion and ruled over Jonathan Vicente of Agono, Rizal, who ranked second, as well as other 30 participants. Still, Vicente should be credited for being the youngest participant at age 24.
The other winners are Santos Bayucca, 2nd runner-up; Ambrosio Bandao, 3rd; Joseph Ananao, 4th and Jimmy Puddunan, the former woodcarving champion, ranking 5th.
About 32 woodcarvers competed in two events out of the slated five. Since the festival is sponsored by Stihl chainsaw, the category for the carvers are "Iguhit Mo, Iuukit Ko," where they use small chainsaws to carve out a specified design in one hour and 45 minutes.
The other was "Design Ko, Gawa Mo" which calls for the use of a small chainsaw and chisel. The other events involve skills in chainsaw control and agility, chainsaw accuracy and disassembly and re-assembly.
Woodcarving for the early Ifugaos is a way of touching base with the gods. Like in Asin village in Baguio City, woodcarvers from Hapao are familiar with the legend of woodcarving.
From the primitive bulols, the Ifugao carvers soon produced almost every image you can think of like wooden bowls and plates, betel boxes, low stools, pipes down to eagles, snakes, saluting American Indians and Buddhas.
Eventually, trees in Ifugao dwindled and the woodcarvers settled elsewhere, including the Asin village in Baguio. But wood, too, in these places became scarce and the once-booming industry turned to sawdust.
Greg Loy, a young Baguio businessman who organized the festival, said that what touched him most was the support demonstrated by all of the participants.
"They were there to compete, support, cheer and have fun. Their smiles and their words of gratitude were more than enough to ease whatever pains we have gone through in putting the first Cordillera woodcarving festival," Loy said.
He also stressed that the festival turned into a revival of culture when the program ended with a ritual performance. A mumbaki (Ifugao high priest and spiritual leader) led the chanting, dancing and blessing of the bulols carved.
(March 10, 2003 issue)
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