On our way back from Cagayan de Oro via Bukidnon, my friends and I came upon this huge sculpture jutting from the side of the road, precariously sitting on the edge of a cliff. By the looks of it, it would be safe to assume that it’s the work of Davao artist, Kublai Millan.
Kublai is best known for the “Freedom” sculpture that stands guard in front of the Sangguniang Panlungsod building, and the tribal sculptures dotting the Peoples Park, among many others.
This one being crafted in Epol (which is near the Davao-Bukidnon boundary), in my estimation, serves to showcase the rootedness of Davao culture in her colorful history and traditions. On the more pragmatic side of things, I think the place is meant to be a scenic reststop for travelers. The area is hilly, very cool and surrounded by greenery. I wish I could describe to you how it looked more than a decade ago, when it was covered in primary-growth forest. Back then it wasn’t just cool — it was too cold to stay for too long!
Anyway, I haven’t really heard anything yet about this reststop, or a more justified term might be outdoor cultural spot. I hope I didn’t spoil the surprise for anyone…
[Photos courtesy of Rodney Jao]
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Hi Blogie – that structure has been under construction for about 2 years now. Pretty cool, huh? I had pictures of this on my photoblog for about a year and a half already. It’s hard to notice it if you are headed north from Davao, but on the way home it is very easy to spot.
Davao is so identified with the Durian!
@Bob — Now that you mention it, I remember someone telling me about it some months back… maybe it was you?
So it’s been there for 2 years? No wonder the bottom part’s overrun by weeds and tall grasses already. But the main sculpture still looks imposing.
while we were riding on the van we noticed the masterpiece as we passed through the cliffs and we don’t want to missed the artistry of some davao experience thats why we took pics for souvenirs
Galing talaga ni Kublai! I miss going to his hotel I am particularly into his photo shots which is found among the corridors of the hotel on the 2nd floor.
May picture din ako dyan, hehe! We passed by there last year, January I think.