Naked ‘David’ statue stirs furor in Davao City

DAVAO CITY — A replica of Michaelangelo’s naked statue, "David," is stirring controversy with local officials seeing it as a veiled advertisement for a local love-nest.

City councilors are objecting to a replica of David that was put up in a beachfront park by the owners of Queensland Lodge, a local motel known as a hideaway for lovers, saying the statue was clearly intended to raise thoughts of sex.

Councilor Mabel Acosta, chairwoman of the city council’s education and arts committee, said she wants the statue, located near the motel, removed on the grounds that it is not only repugnant to the morals and culture of the residents, but was also built on public land.

Acosta stressed that what is questionable is not the "work of the master" but why it was placed near a motel.

"You know this would create controversy because of the marketing strategy," she said.

She also remarked that the motel owners put up the concrete, gold-painted replica of David without getting permission from the Italian government.

"I want it to be removed as soon as possible because it’s insulting to the Italians and to us," she said.

Teodoro Arana, owner of Queensland, has insisted that he erected the statue several weeks ago to make the people of the city proud to host such a work of art.

Other city councilors are proposing a compromise: that a pair of pants be put on the statue.

Earlier, the city legal office ruled that the construction of the beachfront park and the statue itself was illegal.

But if this is pursued, some 200 to 300 structures on the beachfront should also be demolished.

The city government has asked the city council to decide what to do with the statue since the councilors were the ones who raised the issue.

As she passed the statue on her way to a neighboring park, high-school student Sharmaine Joy Cadelina, criticized it, saying "This park is open to the public and there are minors who will see such a statue which will be offensive to them."

However, Linda Garcia, a food vendor, said she is grateful for the statue as more people have been frequenting the park, resulting in higher sales. — AFP, Edith Regalado