In a country where
bus terminals often appear rundown, characterized by sparse benches, a solitary
ticket counter, and a parking lot crowded with buses, certain ones, like
Victory Liner's in Baguio City, distinguishes it among the rest through ample
space and thoughtful design that caters to the needs and comforts of travelers.
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| Artist Francis Dravigny unveils his creation |
“Wow, it's like a
smaller NAIA Terminal 3,” I overhear a young lady passenger exclaiming to her
friends in Tagalog as they enter the station. Indeed, as you step inside the
station, you’ll be greeted by a small pasalubong shop on the left side and
several benches leading to the ticket counters. Additional seating stretches
out in front, while a multitude of LED screens display the latest bus
schedules. Behind the counter is a small area to grab some quick bites from
various kiosks, featuring a diverse array of food options. The lower level is
where the departure gate is located and features a spacious lounge area for
travelers waiting for their bus.
It truly resembles
a scaled-down version of NAIA Terminal 3 and something that puts to shame even
several downtrodden domestic airports and ferry terminals around the
Philippines.
As passengers
increasingly regard Victory Liner's Baguio Terminal as a benchmark for
commuting facilities, the management of this major bus corporation consistently
implements innovations to enhance the passenger experience, including the
incorporation of aesthetics that reflect the local culture of the destination it
serves.
Marivic del Pilar,
President and General Manager of Victory Liner, articulates the company's
objective of continuously enhancing the bus commuting experience through a
focus on comfort, convenience, and accessibility.
“As leaders in the
transportation industry, our mission at Victory Liner is to redefine the bus
commuting experience for passengers across the metro and the country,” Marivic del
Pilar said.
Just when one would
think there was nothing more to improve the station's amenities, the management
unexpectedly introduces a striking centerpiece artwork that connects the bus station
with the city's local character, putting an artsy element to the station’s
already remarkable vibe.
An Art
Collaboration Cooked up Over Lunch
A brief ceremony took place inside the Victory Liner terminal in Baguio City on December 4, 2024, to unveil the centerpiece art piece, "Weaving the Heart of Victory." This large-framed artwork serves as a tribute to the rich weaving culture of the Cordillera region, completed just in time for the city’s role as host of this year’s World Ikat Textiles Symposium at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center.
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| Bayo Foundation Anna Lagon, Francis Dravigny, Victory Liner's Marivic Del Pilar, and Creative Baguio City Council Co-chairman Marie Venus Tan |
The artwork was
created by French artist Francis Dravigny, one of the artists tasked to design
the Philippine pavilion at the next World Expo to be held at Osaka, Kansai,
Japan in 2025.
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| Marivic del Pilar, President and General Manager of Victory Liner |
As Marivic del
Pilar introduces Dravigny, a voice from the crowd poses a valid question that
wasn’t heard by the speakers: “Why not commission a local artist?”
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| Presenting Dravigny a miniature version of his work |
While it is more ideal to have a local artist design the new centerpiece art, Dravigny, having lived in the country for over 30 years since he fell in love with the woven T'nalak cloth of the T'boli people in South Cotabato in 1993 and started exporting them to Europe before he opened a weaving center in Cebu, can be considered as already close to becoming one.
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| The artwork can be easily seen by passengers of Victory Liner |
Dravigny has
harnessed the unique qualities of abaca fiber to produce exquisite textiles for
an elite clientele that includes renowned brands like Louis Vuitton and Chanel,
as well as fashion designer Rajo Laurel. Notably, his creations have graced the
red carpet, including a gown worn by Filipina actress Dolly de Leon at the 2023
BAFTA Awards.
Marivic del Pilar,
a third-generation descendant of Jose Hernandez, the man who founded the bus
company in 1945, shared that the construction of the Baguio bus terminal in
2002 began as part of her master's degree thesis at AIM. "It was an
18-month project alongside Microtel."
In 2024, 22 years
after its initial construction, the Victory Liner terminal underwent
renovations, and del Pilar aimed to infuse the new-look terminal with a unique
element. "We wanted to have something different, an accent to cap the
whole renovation. We aimed to create an iconic Cordilleran piece, not merely a
decoration but an artwork.”
A gathering in Cebu
a few years ago paved the way for this collaboration over lunch and wine. Marie
Venus Tan, a known figure in the tourism sector who has held various positions
in the past, such as DOT Cordillera Regional Director and COO of the Tourism
Promotions Board (TPB) of the Philippines, and currently the co-Chairman of the
Creative Baguio City Council, wove the four personalities together for a
collaboration that will add another layer of art to the city.
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| The team behind this successful collaboration |
"Nothing is
ever accidental; everybody who has the same passion, same thinking,
like-minded—we all gravitated to each other," Marie Venus Tan said of the
serendipitous creative meeting between her, del Pilar, Anna Lagon, Executive
Director of the Bayo Foundation, and Dravigny.
Tan also echoed
that with Baguio being recognized as a UNESCO Creative City for Craft and Folk
Arts, this collaborative piece provides a significant enhancement to the city’s
vibrant art landscape.
"The Victory
Liner (terminal) is already a landmark in the city," Anna Lagon said. "If
you talk about Victory, you think of Baguio. This iconic piece we're unveiling
today is not just a piece of art but a story of Cordillera".
What Does “Weaving
the Heart of Victory” Symbolizes?
Artist Francis
Dravigny briefly described his creations by saying, "This is a tapestry
that involves a mixture of weaving and embroidery." He then pointed to a
pattern resembling the scallop shells in Camino, or the way, which
symbolizes Victory Liner's journey around the country from the north to the
south.
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| Baguio City's walis tambo is included in the design |
By using only
Filipino-sourced fibers, Dravigny explains further that the artwork was woven
using traditional material before he deconstructed it to fuse the other
elements like abaca, copper, and other Cordillera symbols like the ling ling-o
brass ring, a symbol of protection and vitality, lizards for prosperous
livelihood, and hairs of a soft broom, which is a staple item in the region.
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| Another closer look of the artwork |
The French artist,
who has lived in the Philippines for three decades, describes the centerpiece
art of the Victory Liner Baguio Terminal as a call for safe travels and
journeys, infused with the beauty and art of Baguio City.
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| The design pays homage to the weaving heritage of Cordillera |
As one of UNESCO's
Creative Cities, the City of Baguio is sure to benefit from Victory Liner's
decision to dedicate a space for a giant artwork, which not only aligns with
the company's mission and vision but also resonates with the rich culture and
history of the Cordillera, as it could potentially inspire other companies and
brands to incorporate art into their branding and business strategies.
Hopefully, this initiative will create opportunities for more local artists to
undertake similar endeavors or get the chance to collaborate with artists from
other parts of the world. After all, the City of Pines is fast emerging as a
global melting pot of artists.
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| Art to look at while waiting for your bus |
Heads up, commuters
coming to Baguio via Victory Liner: Don’t miss this artwork and maybe take a
selfie with it before you exit the terminal and flag a cab to your hotel.
This article first appeared on Esquire Philippines.
