Philippines Rock sculptor benefits from Volcano

Rock sculptor Vicente Ajero stumbled upon a unique artistic idea along the path leading to Mayon Volcano. Seeing how rains would wash away hardened lava down the slopes and towards nearby towns, Ajero thought the volcanic materials could be a unique medium for his art.The volcano's activities have intensified in the past two weeks, producing 25 million cubic metres of lava. Lava leaves the land barren as it cascades down the slopes. But the rocks spring back to life under Ajero's hands. Using a hammer and nails, he chisels the volcanic materials into sculptures depicting popular images. Lava is lighter and easier to sculpt compared to other materials, Ajero said. Locally known as buga, (Filipino for spew), it is more porous than normal rocks, because gas escapes from it when it cools off. I can't say that I'm happy about the volcano erupting. The lava is dangerous. But these are the materials that I need to create my art works. I'm able to acquire them only during the rainy season, as floods bring down the lava rocks to our village below. I just wait for it to come, Ajero said. Ajero was once a folk singer and composer in Manila, but he grew bored and moved to Albay province. It's been nine years since he began his volcano-inspired craft. I dream of becoming famous. I didn't reach fame by being a singer. Maybe by sculpting these lava rocks, I will be renowned, he said.Ajero built a small shop near Mayon Volcano in the town of Daraga, where he exhibits his art works. His souvenir items are worth 100-500 pesos (2-11 U.S. dollars) and his large sculptures sell for up to 15,000 pesos (320 U.S. dollars). It can take him up to two weeks to finish a lifesize piece.He caters to foreign and local tourists as well as business establishments.His art works are impressive. He's found a way to use waste materials and bring them back to life, said Honesto Deoda, a tourist from Manila. The lava materials can also be used for sharpening knives and for cleaning pots and pans. The near perfect-cone-shaped Mayon Volcano draws thousands of tourists to the coconut-growing Bicol region. Many locals make a living selling souvenirs depicting the volcano. Alert Level 4 is hoisted over Mayon, meaning a hazardous eruption is imminent. Despite the warning, locals and foreigners continue flocking to Albay province to watch the volcano, especially at night to watch the glowing lava. Volcanologists observed nine ash explosions in 24-hour period as of Tuesday. The ash columns reached up to 2,000 kilometres high. The seismic network detected 38 earthquakes and 171 rock fall events related to lava fragments detaching from the volcano's slopes.The Philippines lies on the Ring of Fire, a belt of volcanoes circling the Pacific Ocean that is also prone to earthquakes.Mayon is the most active of 22 volcanoes in the country, having erupted more than 50 times in the past four centuries. The most destructive eruption was in February 1841, when lava flows buried a town and killed 1,200 people.The last time Mayon erupted was in 2006.