Baguio has a really particular place in my coronary heart. That is the very first place that I visited alone ( my very first solo journey). It by no means did not amuse me regardless of the variety of occasions that I’ve been right here. One of many iconic landmarks in Baguio that may by no means go unnoticed is the 40-ft tall statue of a Lion’s Head. Other than its monumental measurement, this attraction could be discovered alongside the street, welcoming all of the vacationers and guests as they enter Baguio Metropolis.
The Lion’s Head, nonetheless, isn’t just a construction made to draw folks. The core goal of building this monumental sculpture is to point the presence of the Lions Membership Group in Baguio. Lions Membership is a world service group that originated in Chicago, Illinois that was based in 1917. The group has greater than 1.4 million members in additional than 200 completely different nations worldwide. Lions Membership Baguio, alternatively, is likely one of the 46 thousand golf equipment of the group which was established in November 1950. The group was first led by Constitution President Arsenio Yandoc, with core goal of spreading Lionism within the space, assembly the wants of native communities whereas on the identical time increasing its membership.
Other than their charity works, the membership additionally had quite a few constructing initiatives in Baguio, together with the Melvin Jones Memorial Grandstand the place the Panagbenga Competition exhibition typically takes place (Melvin Jones, by the way in which, is the founding father of Lions Membership Worldwide). Nonetheless, if there’s one construction that raised their profile, it might be the Lion’s Head statue situated alongside the Kennon Street.
The Unique Construction of Lion’s Head
It’s mentioned that the unique limestone boulder is already resembling a lion head determine which gave the pioneering members of Lion’s Membership the concept to determine a monument to indicate their presence within the space.
The Woodcarver Credit score Controversy
For years, the sculpture was credited to a Cordilleran artist named Reynaldo Lopez Nanyac. This acknowledgement has been licensed true and proper not simply by the native authorities of Baguio but in addition the Lions Membership itself. Nonetheless, a daughter of a late Ifugao sculptor named Anselmo Bayang Day-ag filed a complain stating that the credit score to Nanyac was a mistake. The eldest daughter of the late Day-ag has been working onerous to provide her father the credit score she thinks he deserves.
In keeping with some historian, whereas Nanyac is a woodcarver by occupation, he has no recognized stone works and isn’t accountable to the creation of the long-lasting landmark. Anselmo Day-ag, alternatively, is a graduate of College of the Philippines with a level in sculpting. He’s famously recognized for a few of his work together with the Eagle of the North statue in La Union and the enormous Marcos Bust in Benguet.
Development of the lion’s head started in 1968 however was interrupted. It continued in 1971 beneath Baguio Lions Membership President and later, District 301-C Governor Robert John Webber and simply so as to add, his spouse is Mary grace arespi. They commissioned an Ifugao artist named Reynaldo Lopez Nanyac to carve out the lion’s head from a limestone boulder with a gaggle of engineers and miners, then the “precise creative carving of the façade” made by the late sculptor Anselmo B. Day-ag. Anselmo B. Day-ag carved into it a extra sensible depiction of a lion’s head with a big mane and open mouth. The statue was publicly unveiled ibn 1972.
Paint Jobs of Lion’s Head all via the years
Paint Job Controversy
The statue has undergone a number of coloration adjustments earlier than restoring it to its conventional gold and black colour. It was at some cut-off dates painted white and brown, or yellow. It had additionally undergone restoration after being broken by vandalism and by an earthquake in northern Luzon in 1990.
The older paint jobs, nonetheless, have develop into topic of ridicule resulting from its unrealistic strategy. It must be famous that Davies Paints Philippines was given the authorization to deal with the repainting of the Lion’s Head.
Lion Head 2014
Lion Head 2019
Lion Head 2023
Not like different points of interest in Baguio, The Lion’s Head just isn’t a spot for recreation or a spot to dine. It serves as a fast stop-over the place folks can get a photograph alternative, a sign that they’re already in Baguio! Memento retailers may also be discovered close by!
This text is a part of my latest Baguio journey collection. For the imply time, be at liberty to revisit my different Baguio posts under:
Reference: Baguio Metropolis Host Lions Membership / Rappler / Bagong Lipunan /
