The move to paint the railings of Iloilo City’s Diversion Bridge in vibrant colors earned mixed reactions.
The painting was done by members of Hubon Ilonggo and Araut Visual Artists Collective (AVAC).
The “Art Bridge” project is part of the efforts to make the city “more colorful.”
On Facebook, Ilonggo netizens shared their thoughts on the multi-colored bridge. Some were amazed while others said it was “not appropriate.”
Francis Pelaharo, Rosemarie Bacinillo, and Gemma Canete said the outcome was “beautiful.”
Asuncion Tayson and Joegen Blanco were also impressed.
“Manami ah. Keep up the good work,” said Tayson.
“Very proud of you all. Thank you very much for making Iloilo beautiful,” said Blanco.
According to Dereiz Somlap, the bridge became “attractive” and “lively.”
“Colorlover” Roger Rueda said it was “cool.”
“If bridges are ugly and so sordid and a big predictable yawn as they don’t have rainbow colors, why nobody dares critique them so that mayors and governors wil be hard of hearing to their invectives,” he said.
“Colorful bridges deserve quietude and wise passivity. Ugly bridges should be reviled, not quietude and wise passivity,” Rueda stressed.
Other netizens, meanwhile, said it was “inappropriate” to paint the bridge in different colors.
EJ Guaneza, Vince Apellido Pastelero, Dion Gallenero, Marcelo Morguia, and Homer Ceralvo Sibulangcal were unhappy with the colors.
“Not good. Inappropriate. Daw peryahan gwa sang taytay. Basta colorful nami na dayon? Ano klase thinking na man? Imagine bala Molo Chirch pintahan sari sari color, ti nami? Tun-an anay gina-obra nyo,” said Guaneza.
“Binuki damo pada wall pro sa taytay gid,” said Pastelero.
“Ano ang ginhimu ninyo sa Diversion Bridge? Overdose! First look pa lng indi bagay. That bridge is public not for one private group. Whoever authorized this from the city government is not thinking well,” said Gallenero.
“Wala sa lugar. Nga a Kadamo gid color? Ano Kindergarten area /way? Matured na ta!!,” said Morguia.
“That colors doesn’t fit on that kind of structures,” said Sibulangcal.
Ronnie Poblacion, John Andro Sia, Patrick Borro and Pinky Layson Rojo suggested paint colors.
“White is clean and classic. Heritage structures in psychedelic color?,” said Poblacion.
“It would look nice if the color is cream,” said Rojo.
“I do hope they revert it back to white or beige,” said Borro.
“Pure white is simple and clean.Still, better to look at,” said Sia.
Aside from the Diversion Bridge, which connects the City Proper and Mandurriao district, the Drilon Bridge in the City Proper will also be painted in various colors by another group of visual artists.IMT
Photo by Robbie Robles
