Last November 26, 2015 our Philippine History class went to Ateneo de Naga University, a nearby school, to witness a breath-taking masterpiece by Randalf Dilla entitled Salvage Memories, Salvage Lives. After seeing the mural painting we are asked to write a reaction paper and here's a copy of mine.
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| Photo not mine |
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| Photo not mine |
The
painting is about the human rights issues in the time of Martial Law, it is an
8 x 18.5 feet acrylic and oil painting by a 28 years old Randalf Dilla, a Feati
University alumnus. The painting’s central focus is on Marcos’ image with iron
hands to show his kind of leadership. He was seating in a table were gold bars
were tumbling down, depicting the country’s wealth treated by Marcos as his
own. The Philippine’s flag clothed the table and was chained to it, for me it is
a depiction how Marcos used and chained the whole nation according to his will.
Below him are men who were chained, some are covered by a violet clothed on
their head symbolizing lent, and were like screaming due to intense pain. This,
on my opinion, symbolizes Filipinos tortured and brutally treated in Marcos’
time. In his upper right corner were 12 frames with a picture of 12 men wearing
shades called the Rolex 12, according to the description received the status
symbol watch. In his background was picture of guns surrounding him, for me it depicts
how he used the military for his own safety.
At
a first glance, I can say that I was awed by the painting. In my own
perspective, it is very powerful and igniting. By just looking at it, I can
feel a certain emotion arousing inside me, a mix of pity and rage. What really
caught my attention at first is the emotion painted on the faces of the chained
men lying on the ground and trying to flee, it was full of agony and pain. By
just looking at their faces I can imagine the sound of their voices because of an
excruciating pain they feel. I felt demoralized as a Filipino seeing through
the painting what my fellow citizen have gone through. Another thing that
caught my attention is the image of President Marcos, very strong and full of
authority. Beyond the sign of age in his face, still it was full of fearlessness.
His face showed an emotion that suggests that he is a powerful individual and
you have no choice but to follow his command. His
hands were painted like iron to depict his leadership as violent. I really like
the way the painter creatively depict the Marcos’ term in just one masterpiece.
Even if I am not that knowledgeable about that Marcos’ term the mural clearly
showed me what it’s like. Through symbolism like the gold bars on the table,
the flag of the Philippines chained and used as tablecloth, the guns at Marcos’
background, the chained men and the 12 guys in frames I seemed to understand
what it was trying to convey, the situation of the Philippines under Martial
Law, and it had reached me. The colors vividly set mood of the artwork and
greatly helped to focus the underlying theme.
Although I don’t have an artistic eye for painting, I can say that
balance and proportion was properly observed because it was pleasing to the eye
and what must be the highlight was highlighted and given enough attention.
By
this painting, I was moved to see our country’s situation before and somehow
challenged to do my part as a Filipino not to allow this to happen anymore. I,
as a youth, have the power and responsibility to protect my country and must
not waste the lives of my ancestor who suffered and died for the exchange of
freedom that I am enjoying right now. The freedom that they fought for, also
must not be misused for the deterioration of my country instead used as a tool
to helped my country achieve more and let all Filipinos live harmoniously. To
wrap this up, I pledge to be a responsible citizen and be an agent of change by
not being part of anomalies and corruption in this country.
Sources:
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