Christmas tree made of chainsaws built in Palawan

MANILA, Philippines – A Christmas tree in Puerto Princesa, Palawan is drawing large crowds not because of its bright lights but because of what it is made of: chainsaws.

The tree stands 12 feet and is made of 72 chainsaws confiscated from illegal loggers in Puerto Princesa.

Chainsaw blades serve as the tree’s star.

Instead of Christmas ornaments, an anti-illegal logging placard adorns the tree.

“Ito ay para ipakita ang aming drive na labanan ang illegal logging sa Palawan,” said Efren Balladares, team leader of the Palawan NGO Network Inc.

It marked the second year that the group put up the tree but Balladares noted that this year’s tree is 2 feet taller, signifying that more chainsaws were seized by authorities.

Those involved in the project joked that the tree may also be the most expensive in the country, as chainsaws cost P35,000 each.

Puerto Princesa also boasts of having the tallest Christmas tree in the country, which stands 120 feet. -- Reports from Butch Mendizabal, ABS-CBN News Palawan; Rod Macenas, ABS-CBN News