Baguio City — The mural called “Biodiversity of Love” was officially launched along Kennon Road in Barangay Camp 7, Baguio City on August 10, 2024. Conceptualized by the Department of Tourism (DOT) as part of its “Love the Philippines” campaign, this mural spans about 120 feet and is set to showcase the rich biodiversity of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
“In that wall, you can see everything from the city of Baguio, Benguet, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Abra, Apayao, and Kalinga,” remarked Councilor Leandro B. Yangot, Jr., highlighting the mural’s comprehensive representation.
The mural, painted by local artists from Sin-Agi and the Baguio Educators Arts Guild (BEAG), is still unfinished. The project took a brief pause due to Typhoon Carina.
BEAG, composed of public and private sector teachers who teach in MAPEH (Music, Arts, Physical Education, and Home Economics), played a pivotal role in the project’s execution. Many of the volunteer artists were students from free art classes offered by LBY, emphasizing the importance of youth in fostering creativity.
Kennon Road, as one of the most traveled roads in the region, offers both locals and tourists an opportunity to appreciate the region’s natural beauty and the importance of conservation.
“This is part of the City of Baguio, so we have many mural projects within the center of Baguio already and we wanted to find a place that’s actually a little bit far from the center. ,” said DOT-CAR Regional Director Jovita Ganongan. “That is actually a strategy also to decongest and offer other areas for our visitors.”
During the ceremony, Congressman Go highlighted the mural’s importance to Baguio’s sense of pride, stating, “And one way of showing na hindi lamang very proud sa ginawa ng ating lungsod, ito ay isang daan para ma-encourage natin ang ating mga kababayan na patuloy nilang suportahan ang mga programa para lalo maging matagumpay ang pag-declare sa atin bilang Creative City.”
“Tayo po ay patuloy na susuporta sa mga ganitong programa ng DOT,” he added.
The launch of the 120-foot “Biodiversity of Love Mural Project” is just the beginning. The 900-meter wall along Kennon Road is expected to be adorned with more murals in the same theme, further enhancing the area’s cultural and environmental significance.
The event was attended by Congressman Marquez “Mark” O. Go, Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong, DOT-CAR Regional Director Jovita A. Ganongan, Councilor Leandro B. Yangot Jr., Baguio Tourism Council Chair Gladys Vergara, local artists, and Camp 7 Barangay officials. Assistant Secretary Gissela Marie R. Quisumbing of the DOT also gave her support to the project.
