Coming from a tropical country where it never snows and the only ice you get is from the fridge or the ice plant, victory is so much sweeter for overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Rogel Cabisidan who win the recently held international ice sculpture contest in France.
Cabisidan’s masterpiece, “Sitting”, bested 19 other ice sculptures made by international ice sculptors at the 28th Valloire International Ice Sculpture Competition held in the southeastern city of Valloire Savoie, France.
Photo credit: Europe 1
“Sinabi ng jury na dapat yung ice ko transparent. Ang mga jury kasi gusto nila abstract. Ako naman ang gusto ko realistic. So pinaghalo ko yung abstract at realistic. Buong tao, pero ‘yung katawan niya cube-cube siya tapos yung buhok niya diretso. Tapos, minentain ko yung transparent. Ayun, lahat ng jury sabi nila ang ganda ng ginawa ko,” Cabisidan told ABS-CBN News, referring to his semi-abstract sculpture of a lady with beautiful crown-like hair.
Cabisidan explained that the sculptors had to use different techniques to make sure the ice sculptures remain transparent despite the changing weather in the competition held from January 15 to 18, 2019.
Photo credit: Rogel Cabisidan / Yahoo! News
“Nagustuhan ng judges kasi transparent ang yelo at walang crack kasi maganda ang temperature lalo sa gabi -12, -8 kaya na-maintain namin ang ganda ng yelo. Nag-stay kami hanggang 1 o’clock para kasi doon ang maganda ang yelo. Maganda magtrabaho kasi matigas tapos pwede kang magdikit ng yelo. Hindi siya matutumba kasi malamig,” the Pinoy sculptor explained.
A native of Paete, Laguna, Cabisidan discovered his love for carving when he was still a kid. At 14, he was already carving on wood.
Photo credit: ABS-CBN News
He would later upgrade his craft to include various food items like fruits, vegetables, chocolate, cheese, and butter as he studied Hotel and Restaurant Management in Laguna.
Cabisidan has been working in a cruise restaurant in Lyon, France, for 8 years. He has won several carving competitions in the country.
