Draft:Mount Tapyas Cross

• Comment: TripAdvisor, Facebook, Wikimedia are not reliable sources. Qcne (talk) 17:35, 1 November 2024 (UTC)

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Mount Tapyas Cross is a gigantic metal cross structure in Coron, Palawan, one of the Philippines' top 4 tourist destinations cited in Conde Nast Traveller Rankings . Serving as Coron's most renowned landmark, Mt. Tapyas Cross overlooks the town proper below, its imposing stature visible miles away upon entrance to Coron Bay. The cross is part of the Mount Tapyas View Deck Park Complex, a 720-step climb that is a favorite destination for both local and foreign tourists visiting the area. The site is officially listed in the Municipality of Coron ECAN Resource Management Plan as a sports and recreational area. .

Background

Although numerous town leaders in the past planned of constructing a wooden cross structure on top of Mt. Tapyas, none really materialized. The current Mt. Tapyas View Deck Park complex was conceptualized and initiated by Ex-Mayor Luis F. Lim upon his return from Australia, taking inspiration from view deck parks he visited while there. Municipal Engr. Ike Parangue drafted the original design, and Mayor Lim's nephew, confidant and private secretary, Prof. Fernando M. Cruz, was the one who suggested that the park's main feature should be a towering metal cross structure, taking inspiration from Christ the Redeemer (statue) in Brazil. The project site was donated by the mayor's eldest brother Remberto F. Lim, expropriated from his pasture lease. Initially submitted to the Department of Tourism for funding, it was however refused citing that the national government does not fund local tourism projects. The department nonetheless referred and indorsed it to the Provincial Government of Palawan for local funding. The project finally pushed through fully funded by the Provincial Government of Palawan under the leadership and support of Former Governor Joel T. Reyes.

2013 Supertyphoon Haiyan Destruction and Other Threats

In 2013, the original 70- foot metal cross structure was toppled by Supertyphoon Haiyan (locally named Yolanda). It was rebuilt immediately upon the initiative and supervision of Former Mayor Clara "Fems" Espiritu-Reyes with a slightly smaller replacement of about 54 feet. The seasonal drought also brings with it the danger of bushfires in the surrounding hills which also pose a threat to Mt. Tapyas hikers and the indigenous flora and fauna in the area.

Mt. Tapyas Cross Today

Today, Mt. Tapyas Cross serves as a favorite trail destination for tourists and locals for sunrise and sunset watching. The giant cross also holds religious significance among Catholics especially during Holy Week on Easter where pilgramages to the top are made. A gigantic name of Coron added later on below it, in Hollywood style, come well-lighted at night together with the cross. The iconic landmark stands for the resilience of the people of Coron, while for tourists, it affords the unique experience of connecting with nature and human ingenuity .Foxtrotter27 (talk) 17:53, 3 November 2024 (UTC)

References

Parangue, Ike D. Affidavit of Attestation before Albert C. Garraez, Notary Public. Doc. No. 380, Page 77, Book No. 103, series of 2023. Coron, Palawan, Philippines. 2023. Foxtrotter27 (talk) 16:49, 3 November 2024 (UTC)Foxtrotter27 (talk) 17:34, 3 November 2024 (UTC)