Tarlac-based sculptor Rex Sicat, Jr. hopes that in his statue of Lapu-Lapu, he could show that he was a true icon and that his warriors were brave and united in their fight for liberty and freedom of their homeland.
The design depicts Lapu-Lapu as he and his people prepared for the Spaniards’ arrival at the shorelines of Mactan, as what the records of historical recorder Antonio Pigafetta said
LAST April 27, Cebuanos celebrated the 500th year or quincentennial of the Victory at Mactan.
On that day, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and the National Quincentennial Committee (NCQ) hailed the winner of the competition for the new Lapu-Lapu Monument at the proposed Memorial Shrine and Museum in Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu: “The Watch of Mactan”, designed by Rex Sicat Jr.
Sicat is a Tarlac-based architect who showed through his work, that Lapu-Lapu was a true icon and that his warriors were, indeed, brave and united in fighting the Spaniards to defend their homeland.
A graduate of the Tarlac State University (TSU), he is now working on building up his own architectural firm, Sicat Design Services.
The design depicts Lapu-Lapu as he and his people prepared for the Spaniards’ arrival at the shorelines of Mactan, as what the records of historical recorder Antonio Pigafetta said.
“The hero is a sentry facing the sea, portraying a leader who is a good strategist,” Sicat says.
Lapu-Lapu, in Sicat’s design, is in a mangatang stance which perfectly illustrates a leader that will fight until his last breath for his territory and people’s freedom.
Another aspect of Sicat’s design is how he depicted Lapu-Lapu’s people aside from his warriors.
A mother and a child are inside the balay, anxiously waiting for the fight to be over but is reassured that their tribe will emerge triumphant because of Lapu-Lapu’s indubitable leadership.
Additionally, Sicat strived to incorporate the appropriate representations of Lapu-Lapu’s tribe’s arts and culture, especially the tattoos of the Pintados and the spiritual symbol of kalaw (hornbill).
Through this design, he pays tribute to his honorable leadership and perseverance.
“His victory changed the course of our nation. We must honor his bravery and legacy and may all generations, especially in the future, be inspired by him,” he said.
(EFO)
Tags: #artsandculture, #Lapulapu, #QuincentennialCelebrationPH, #RexSicatJr