BAGUIO City is set to honor basketball legend Robert Jaworski through its distinctive addition to the Heroes’ Wall of Fame mural at the Baguio Athletic Bowl grandstand.
Jaworski, known for embodying the “never-say-die” spirit during his prolific career in the Philippine Basketball Association, has been selected as part of the final group of 81 athletes and sports figures to be recognized for their significant contributions to the country, Baguio City, and the Cordilleran region.
Born in Baguio on March 8, 1946, to an American father of Polish descent and a local Iloco-descendant mother, Jaworski later moved to Manila, where he began to forge his dreams.
He will be celebrated as a local hero due to the project’s criteria, which require individuals to either be born in the city or have it as their residence.
Instead of a mural painting, Jaworski’s tribute will feature a unique touch. Renowned local sculptor Rosimo has volunteered to craft a four-foot, bas-relief sculpture of the iconic player-turned-senator.
Bas-relief, a two-dimensional art form where sculpted pieces remain attached to a solid background of the same material, will be the medium for Jaworski’s sculpture.
Eduard “Kigao” Rosimo, a renowned local artist, who was recently awarded a grant by the National Commission of Culture and Arts, volunteered to do Jaworski’s sculpture. Rosimo did an exhibit named Reemergence of the Deities exhibit. His works were earlier put on display at the gallery of National Artist for Film Kidlat Tahimik.
Inspired by the PBA logo, which features the “Big J” in his signature barreling drive, the sculpture aims to capture the essence of Jaworski’s indomitable spirit on the court.
One of the project’s prime movers, Pigeon Lobien, said they will invite Jaworski’s family to grace the unveiling in March, as Jaworski is believed to be in sickbed.
In 2021, Jaworski’s family declared that the cager-turned-senator was suffering from a rare blood disease that greatly debilitated his health. There was no further announcement from the family since then.
Other basketball luminaries sharing the honor with Jaworski, include PBA draftees Romualdo Cabading and Florendo Ritualo Sr., Benedict Fernandez III, who left the PBA to establish a famous pizzeria in Baguio City, and Ateneo players Gerardo Verzosa and center Douglas Kramer.
The Philippine Postal Corp. also honored Jaworski with limited edition stamps last year in celebration of the 75th year of the Philippines’ first stamp.
Gladys Labsan then joined the painting efforts, working on the image of former Olympians Hector Begeo and Gerry Dino, boxing Tam, and javelin queen Erlinda Labandia.
The culmination of the Heroes Mural Project, a four-year endeavor initiated by Publications and Media Works (e-Pub) during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, is scheduled for late March.
This final phase builds upon previous murals featuring prominent athletes like Team Lakay members, former Olympians, and boxing great Rey Tam.
The unveiling promises to be a poignant celebration of the city’s sporting legacy, with Pigeon Lobien, one of the project’s key figures, spearheading the event.
It was started with the Team Lakay mural that includes Mark Sangiao, Eduard Folayang, Harold Banario, Geje Estaquio, Kevin Belingon, among others, and done by a member and Banario’s younger brother Harold.