Lapulapu statue in Luneta to be restored, re-erected

CEBU, Philippines — Contrary to speculations, the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) has clarified that the dismantling of the 40-foot Lapulapu statue, also called as “Sentinel of Freedom,” situated at the Rizal Park in Ermita, Manila will just undergo “restoration and re-erection.”

“The NMP assures all who might be concerned with the monument’s location that it will be re-erected in the same area of Rizal Park, in the central grounds of the National Museum Complex, towards its front facing Maria Orosa Street, aligned with the Rizal Monument along the central axis of the park,” read a portion of the NMP statement.

Earlier, former senator Richard Gordon has questioned the initiative to move the monument saying that the monument belongs to where it is currently situated – implying that the core of symbolism in heroism from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao will be lost, if the statue is moved somewhere else.

Under Republic Act No. 11333 or the “National Museum Act of 1998,” the NMP has the responsibility to “preserve and maintain” the prominence of Lapulapu monument in Rizal Park.

With that, the NMP has assured the public that they are “committed to this obligation and welcomes the opportunity to promote the significance of the monument as best as it can.”

According to the NMP, the project would be done in two phases – which involves the “restoration” and “re-erection.”

The preparation work at the monument’s base has been completed and so the phase one proceed with the dismantling of the monument.

For the second phase or the re-erection, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) together with other stakeholders will spearhead the creation and renovation of the design.

The NMP has also emphasized that the main objective in enhancing the Sentinel of Freedom’s setting is to better represent its symbolic essence and “to express in a fitting way the quincentennial or five hundred years of Philippine history since the Battle of Mactan that was recently celebrated in 2021.”

Handling the remaking of the Lapulapu sculpture would be its original sculpture, Juan Sajid, along with his team.

Once the NMP completes its regulatory clearance, they are very much open to share the precise details and designs of the ongoing statue renovation before it will be re-erected as planned and budgeted in 2024.

The date and budget of this project has not been known as of this writing.

The P15 million worth of Lapulapu bronze statue that was installed in 2005 at the Luneta Park was in honor of his bravery to fight against the colonizers. That is why he was considered as the first Philippine hero.

Gifted by the Korean Freedom League to Filipino, this statue was installed amidst the opposition by the National Historical Institute during the presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. — CNU Intern (FREEMAN)