The Sentinel of Freedom
Visual Description
Juan Sajid lmao sculpted the Sentinel of Freedom in 2004. It was inaugurated by Korea as an act of gratitude for the Philippines for fighting in the Korean War (Admin, 2020). Also known as the Lapu-Lapu monument, based on a Filipino hero Datu Lapu-Lapu himself (Admin, 2020). The statue is placed in the National Museum of the Philippines at Rizal Park, Manila (Luneta Park) (Admin, 2020). This large 40-foot bronze statue stands in the center of a ten-foot-long stone pedestal (Admin, 2020). The statue is located in the center of Agrifina circle of Rizal Park separating the statue from its surroundings (Intrepid Wanderer, 2013). Lapu-Lapu is portrayed in a tense upright stance, with his hands on a large wooden axe aimed at the ground, and he faces the Manila Bay. Lapu-Lapu has a muscular, strong build that is emphasized by the bronze’s raised details. He is pictured barefoot, raised details on the bronze create a cloth wrapped around his body and head. The raised lines of the sculpture are mostly vertical and curved. There are no vibrant colours, only shades of black, white, and grey making the statue stand out in the bright hours of the day. Textures of the statue are mostly rough due to the cast bronze; visible grooves are left from the sculpting process. Due to the large scale of this statue, the audience is encouraged to look up, making the focal point his head and chest area.
Interpretation and Meaning
Learning the history of the Philippines helps us understand the significant meaning of the Sentinel of Freedom. Datu Lapu-Lapu is a known hero in the Philippines, as he was the first to resist foreign domination during the Spanish colonization (Kahimyang, n.d.). The statue purposely faces the Manila Bay, as a historical reference to the Battle of Mactan, where the foreigners were coming from the ocean (Kahimyang, n.d.). Knowing this information helps us further analyze the statue. Lapu-Lapu is built with cast bronze, a heavy, strong metal, which can signify the everlasting legacy of Lapu-Lapu, unbreakable. Facing Manila Bay also shows him protecting his people from possible invaders coming from the waters. Based on the solidity and strength of the cast bronze, the strength of the bronze may also stand for his power and resilience. The dark colours of the statue can portray physical strength, dignity, and give the statue a solid and grounded look. Dark tones also carry the representation of seriousness, showing his determination to protect his people. The dark colour catches the attention of viewers to honour and think of the hero. The strong vertical lines allow the statue to be tall, standing for stability and strength. Tactile textures on the statue also help emphasize his muscles, conveying his physical strength. With clear human proportions, the statue is solid and robust, representing power. Lapu-Lapu stands straight and tense, his clothes are flat on his body with subtle lines, suggesting no movement. His stillness could represent that he is not violent, but a protector. Lapu-Lapu being the center of Agrifina circle separates the statue from other structures and this shows that the viewers’ attention should be on the statue, signalling an important figure of history. Being isolated from other structures suggests Lapu-Lapu’s independence and courage to stand against the Spaniards. The emptiness of the space surrounding the statue allows people to reflect and think of the hero Lapu-Lapu, creating an emotional space. Overall, the monument has significant meaning in the history of the Philippines, allowing visitors to reflect on the Filipino past.
Space, Power, and Access
The National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) has free admission, allowing a broad range of people to see architecture and fine arts through the history of the Philippines. The NMP is government-owned and controlled by individuals in the Fine Arts Division (National Museum of the Philippines, 2020). The significant size also allows citizens to see the statue from further away. Locals can visit the monument as much as they would like or can see it just by walking past. With millions of visitors in the Philippines each year, the monument can be seen by anyone. Rizal Park first represented the heroes who had passed in the memorial park during the Philippine Revolution. Many Filipinos complain, finding this monument disrespectful and come across it unwillingly. Visually, the statue is easily noticeable based on its size and dark colour. Additionally, the park offers ceremonies, events, and those who attend get a clear view of the monument. The design of this monument is bold and is meant to be seen by those nearby, allowing Lapu-Lapu’s legacy to live on.