BY: VANESSA BUGTONG

For decades, 52-year-old Tatay Edwin has relied on creating and selling carved furniture and sculptures in Pugo, La Union, as his livelihood.

Apart from earning a living, it has also become a part of preserving the traditions of their town.

His talent in wood carving was passed down to him by his parents.

On December 27, Edwin’s wood carving skills were tested once again during the Tinungbo Festival’s Wood Carving Competition.

This year, his masterpiece focuses on traditional hunting.

“This depicts how people in the past searched for food during the dry season,” said Edwin Dinamling, a woodcarver.

While most carvers use wood such as gmelina, 57-year-old Tatay Cesar used bamboo for his creation.

“This represents the bamboo that is often used for cooking. Everything I’ve made here is from bamboo,” said Cesar Atiwon, also a woodcarver.

A total of 18 participants from different barangays competed this year, a way for the town to further promote the wood carving industry that they take pride in.

In recent years, Pugoeños have relied on wood carving as a livelihood.

This is a testament to their creativity and skill.