Category: Arts, Places and Events
It was very early in the morning while we are on our way home to Paranaque from Ilocos Norte when we passed by Caloocan City. I just woke up around 8 a.m. just to realize that we are already near the Bonifacio Monument. It was because of this reason that I rubbed my sleep deprived my eyes and wondered where in the world is it located amidst all the traffic and the people bustling in the streets.
I haven’t step foot in Caloocan before so I haven’t seen Guillermo Tolentino’s sculpture either. I have been told earlier that you can’t come near the monument because it is located in the center of a busy intersection. You can only stare at it from the side streets afar or another option is to ride a car and watch it while passing through.
The monument was a creation of Guillermo Tolentino, the very same man who built the Oblation of our very own University. It has been said that Tolentino’s portrait busts burst the confining bonds of historic masterpieces to produce likeness revealing his deep insight into human character. His commemorative sculpture, often monumental, had a scale and grandeur matched by no other sculpture of his time.
The Bonifacio monument, one of his best know works in Caloocan was completed in 1933 ( and put on the ten centavo stamp of 1946). The monument, a kilometer west of the actual site, marked the apex of Tolentino's career. It had an Olympian spirit, graceful, grandiose and dramatic in scale and feeling, made up of 70 larger-than-life-size figures, with a 45-foot pylon topped by the winged figure of Victory that was bronze-cast in Rome. At the base, on a platform-like structure, figures are in a series of pyramidal variations, with opposing diagonals providing tension and dynamism.
The sight gave me a sense of national loyalty even though I only viewed the monument for a short time. Given all the restraints ( we don’t have much time to stare at it and the location was not very conducive either), I was able to stare at it enough to form an impression of it.
The monument was a towering site. I was awed not just by the height of the post but also by the emotions evident in the faces of the figures as well. There was a man holding a sword, another in squat position ready to pounce and another man holding his wife and his child, mouth open, shouting words of justice. As I’ve said before, the characters in the monument were well sculpted and their faces expressed the desire of justice and freedom from bondage. They were the revolutionaries who fought for our country. The bitterness and anger was well etched in their faces. Guillermo Tolentino was really a master sculptor and he should be remembered in our minds for his impressive works.
Unfortunately though, there have been news circulating that the monument will be transferred to an isolated site since the monument is near the MRT and the shakes and rigors caused by the transit might damage the statue. The bad thing is, it will be trans-located to a place that might be neglected and ignored by people since it’s a location I’ve never heard of before. I think they should be very careful in transferring the monument and relocate it to a place wherein it would be more valued and treated of importance. Artworks like this is a living reminder that Filipinos are patriotic and nationalistic. They are freedom loving people who always cry for justice and sovereignty. Thanks to Guillermo Tolentino for his artistry and excellence in the art of sculpting.
I haven’t step foot in Caloocan before so I haven’t seen Guillermo Tolentino’s sculpture either. I have been told earlier that you can’t come near the monument because it is located in the center of a busy intersection. You can only stare at it from the side streets afar or another option is to ride a car and watch it while passing through.
The monument was a creation of Guillermo Tolentino, the very same man who built the Oblation of our very own University. It has been said that Tolentino’s portrait busts burst the confining bonds of historic masterpieces to produce likeness revealing his deep insight into human character. His commemorative sculpture, often monumental, had a scale and grandeur matched by no other sculpture of his time.
The Bonifacio monument, one of his best know works in Caloocan was completed in 1933 ( and put on the ten centavo stamp of 1946). The monument, a kilometer west of the actual site, marked the apex of Tolentino's career. It had an Olympian spirit, graceful, grandiose and dramatic in scale and feeling, made up of 70 larger-than-life-size figures, with a 45-foot pylon topped by the winged figure of Victory that was bronze-cast in Rome. At the base, on a platform-like structure, figures are in a series of pyramidal variations, with opposing diagonals providing tension and dynamism.
The sight gave me a sense of national loyalty even though I only viewed the monument for a short time. Given all the restraints ( we don’t have much time to stare at it and the location was not very conducive either), I was able to stare at it enough to form an impression of it.
The monument was a towering site. I was awed not just by the height of the post but also by the emotions evident in the faces of the figures as well. There was a man holding a sword, another in squat position ready to pounce and another man holding his wife and his child, mouth open, shouting words of justice. As I’ve said before, the characters in the monument were well sculpted and their faces expressed the desire of justice and freedom from bondage. They were the revolutionaries who fought for our country. The bitterness and anger was well etched in their faces. Guillermo Tolentino was really a master sculptor and he should be remembered in our minds for his impressive works.
Unfortunately though, there have been news circulating that the monument will be transferred to an isolated site since the monument is near the MRT and the shakes and rigors caused by the transit might damage the statue. The bad thing is, it will be trans-located to a place that might be neglected and ignored by people since it’s a location I’ve never heard of before. I think they should be very careful in transferring the monument and relocate it to a place wherein it would be more valued and treated of importance. Artworks like this is a living reminder that Filipinos are patriotic and nationalistic. They are freedom loving people who always cry for justice and sovereignty. Thanks to Guillermo Tolentino for his artistry and excellence in the art of sculpting.
Written By: Lani Diana Santos
Date: February 2003
No comments:
Post a Comment