Bu-lat-lat (boo-lat-lat) verb: to search, probe, investigate, inquire; to unearth facts

Vol. IV, No. 52 January 30 - February 5, 2005 Quezon City, Philippines

A DYING BREED

An Ifugao wood carver in Tuba, Benguet (northern Luzon) hammers his chisel through an acacia tree trunk. He is carving a Chinese Buddha figurine which could fetch him P3,000 ($53.57 based on a $1:P56 exchange rate) or more. Ifugao wood carvers like him are known to be among the world’s finest, and Asin Road just outside Baguio proper is distinguished for its fine wood carving shops in the same way that the city is renowned for its vibrant tourist industry. But wood carvers are now a dying breed partly owing to government ban on wood cutting – a hypocritical policy as authorities play a blind eye to large-scale logging.

Photo by Ace Alegre / Bulatlat

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