Renowned artist Kublai Millan and a community of T’boli brass casters present Mindanao’s culture before the world through the medal which will be given to all participants who complete the Alveo IRONMAN 70.3 in Davao.
Kublai said the medal symbolizes the island’s heritage as well as its constant struggle to find peace. He said that by swimming, biking and running, participants from all over the world will help others better understand what is happening in this part of the country.
Kublai said that while the medal is his own design he also wanted to involve the artisans of Mindanao in the project which affords a chance to show the world the traditions and customs of the island.
Kublai says he is not just an artist and sculptor but also a culture bearer of Mindanao. It’s a wonderful opportunity and he is honored to share that commitment of culture bearer with the island’s indigenous population.
Brass casting is tedious work according to Kublai. It’s not mass production with molds reused again and again. Each mold is broken after one use and Kublai had to work with an entire community of brass casters to make 1,800 unique medals.
Sunrise Events celebrates its tenth year anniversary this 2018 by staging an IRONMAN event – the Alveo Davao IRONMAN 70.3 – in Mindanao for the first time, finally holding a much-awaited full distance IRONMAN in the Philippines in Subic and staging a second Asia Pacific IRONMAN 70.3 in Cebu.
Kublai is known primarily for his giant sculptures. His most famous sculptures in Mindanao include the “Kampilan” in the city of Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao; the “Risen Christ” in the church of Tagum City; the giant durian monument in Davao International Airport; and the giant eagle and Bagobo children in People’s Park, Davao City.