COMMITTEE on tourism and Christmas in Baguio chairman Elmer Datuin said the art installation atop Session Road had to be taken down and will be replaced by a small traditional Yuletide tree.
“We decided to remove it since it is already damaged by fire. We will replace it with a smaller traditional Christmas tree,” said Datuin.
The art installation atop city’s main road was made by Tinatik artist Maela Liwanag Jose. It was torched at the start of the week by still unidentified culprits.
According to earlier reports, the fire which was in its first stages, was put out, with damages sustained on the lower portion of the Jose creation.
“Maela wanted to replace the burned installation but we did not allow it anymore due to the time and the cost constraints,” Datuin said.
The Jose art installation is described to have references to the culture and art not only of Baguio but the whole of the Cordillera. It aims to tell the story of creation starting from the sun, rain, mountains, plants, animals and man. It will embody the symbols of the Cordillera such as the "bulul," the lizard and the tattoo patterns in line with the Christmas season. The installation was made to resemble a Christmas tree.
Datuin said the traditional tree to be set up is the same Christmas tree displayed last year.
“Our official Christmas tree is at the Rose Garden and the one at Upper Session Road is just one of our smaller Christmas trees of the city,” added Datuin.
The Jose installation is a voluntary project in celebration of the city being a Unesco creative city, with the City Government paying for materials used by the artist. The payment has yet to be given pending evaluation and actual costing.
“Di pa paid yung labor cost ni Maela but City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO) assured she will be reimbursed despite the removal of the art installation,” she said.
Mayor Maurico Domogan has ordered a full investigation against pranksters who tried to burn the installation.
Last year, a four-story tree made out of recycled materials at the Rose Garden was likewise set ablaze. The perpetrators remain at large.