Paete: Town of World Class Talent and Wood Carvings

Photo Credit: Gloria Rivera

You are a Filipino if you have "The Last Supper" hanged at your dining area. Either that, or a pair of large wooden fork and spoon. Of course this is not true. :) But part of our tradition is put a painting or a wood carving of  The Last Supper. 

Sure you know where to find these home decors- in Paete, Laguna. Paete is pronounced Pī-té, long i, short guttural ê, sound at the end by the natives. It is located at the northeastern part of Laguna, along the shores of Laguna de Bay. It is known to be "The Carving Capital of the Philippines." It has had established its reputation for its craftsmen who are skilled in wood carving even during the Spanish colonialism.

I did get a close encounter on how Paetenians do their crafts. There are no words to describe how amazing they are! Maybe it's in the blood or in the amount of their exposure that they are able to this? If you can take a close look at their crafts, you will see how detailed the figures are. I cannot imagine the resilience it requires to finish one product. And mostly, it's done by hands.

Due to their outstanding talents, some Paetenians have gained popularity even abroad. Some won awards doing their ice sculptures and others did great showing their carving talent on their food presentation. One US based  sculptor, Paul Balan, was recognized for his contribution to the design of the new National Humanities Medal.

Through the years, their crafts have evolved into various products. 

If you're looking for something unique to don your home, Paete is the place to go to. They have been selling wood carvings nationwide and abroad. Best thing is to go to Paete to find what you are looking for, get it in a discounted price, and/or get it customized!

To know the person who owns the above crafts, shoot me an email. :)