A 46-year-old artist has shown the world what Filipinos are capable of after he earned the title “King of Ice Carving” in France.
Rogel Cabisidan was given the title earlier this year after he bested 19 international ice sculptors at the 28th Valloire International Ice Sculpture Competition held in the southeastern city of Valloire Savoie in January.
Cabisidan’s winning masterpiece was called “Sitting” which shows an abstract form of a woman with an elaborate headdress sitting on a pile of ice cubes.
When asked about his sculpture and the working process he’s been through, Cabisidan said: “The judges liked it because the ice was transparent and there were no cracks. That’s because the temperature was favorable -12, -8 so we were able to maintain the quality of the ice.
“We stayed until 1 o’clock when the ice was strong and the best quality to work on. You can attach a piece on it and the figure wouldn’t break because of the freezing temperature,” he added.
For three days from January 15 to 18, sculptors from all over the world, including, France, Russia, Denmark, and Mexico among others, endured the freezing temperature to finish and showcase their incredible artworks.
Frenchman Stéphane Rabusseau placed second for his work titled “Cave Bear”, followed by Danish Glebos Tkachenko at third place for “Flight of a Fanacy”.
Cabisidan, who hailed from Paete, Laguna, has been living in France for eight years now, working as as a chef in a cruise restaurant in Lyon.
He said that he developed an interest in sculpting at an early age and has worked with several materials like wood, vegetables, fruits, cheese, butter and chocolates.
Cabisidan said that he started sculpting with ice when he moved to France.
The “King of Ice Carvings” added that he dedicates his achievement to his countrymen and the Philippines.
