Memorare-Manila 1945/OWT

We were walking towards the Manila Cathedral at dusk when I noticed this moving monument at Plazuela de Santa Isabel along Calle Anda in Intramuros.  I came closer to read what was etched on the black granite.

Memorare - Manila 1945

This memorial is dedicated to those innocent victims of war. Many of whom went nameless and unknown to a common grave, or never even knew a grave at all.  Their bodies have been consumed by fire or crushed to dust beneath the rubble of ruins.

Let this monument be the gravestone for each and everyone of the over 100,000 men, women, children and infants killed in Manila during its battle Liberation, February 3 - March 3, 1945.  We have not forgotten them, nor shall we ever forget.

May they rest in peace as part now of the sacred ground of this city, the Manila of our affections.

The inscription on the marker reads:  

This monument is erected in memory of the more than 100,000 defenseless civilians who were killed during the Battle for the Liberation of Manila between February 3 and March 3,1945. They were mainly victims of heinous acts perpetrated by the Japanese Imperial Forces and the casualties of the heavy artillery barrage by the American Forces. The Battle for Manila at the end of World War II was one of the most brutal episode in the history of Asia and the Pacific. The non-combatant victims of that tragic battle will remain forever in the hearts and minds of the Filipino people.

I hope these young girls playing by the monument would learn the lessons in history, keep them alive and not take for granted the innocent lives lost from the battle to liberate their hometown 67 years ago.

A monument dedicated to non-combatant victims of the last war erected in 1995.

 Linking to Our World-Tuesday

Lorenzo Ruiz/Our World Tuesday

 
Most Filipino Catholics recognize the name San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila, the first Filipino saint. He was also known as Lorenzo de Manila, born in Binondo, Manila between 1600 and 1610 to a Chinese father and Tagalog mother.  He was an altar boy and was educated by the Dominican Fathers.  San Lorenzo Ruiz was a layman, with two sons and a daughter.

This statue of Lorenzo de Manila is located at the open field near Quirino Grandstand across the Rizal monument.

The caption at the statue’s base reads: “Si yo tuviera miles de Vidas las daria por mi fe."  The on-line Spanish-English translation is "If I had thousands of lives, I would give for my faith."  This was part of his declaration while being tortured and his tormentor taunted him that his life would be spared if he would renounce his faith.  

"That I shall never do, because I am a Christian and I shall die for God, and for Him I will give many thousands of lives if I had them.  And so do with me as you please." ~ Lorenzo de Manila

In 1636, Ruiz was falsely accused of killing a Spaniard.  He sought asylum on board a ship with Dominican priests bound for Okinawa, Japan.  By the time they arrived in Japan, the Tokugawa shogunate was persecuting Christians and the missionaries were consequently arrested and thrown to prison.  Ruiz and his companions went through different types of torture---needles were inserted inside their fingernails, they were beaten unconscious; they were hung by their feet and submerged in water until some of his companions recant their faith.

On September 27, 1637, Ruiz and his companions were taken to the Nishizaka Hill.  There, he was hung upside down into a pit---this form of torture was known as tsurushi in Japanese or horca y hoya in Spanish.  This was the most painful way to die in those times and involved using rocks to add weight to the person until the tortured person suffocates and is crushed from their own weight.  After two days, Lorenzo Ruiz died from bleeding and suffocation.  His body was cremated and his ashes were thrown to the sea.  He never recanted his love and faith in God.  Source

Lorenzo de Manila was beatified by Pope John II during the Papal visit to Manila on February 18, 1981.  Saint Lorenzo Ruiz was elevated to sainthood and received canonization on October 18, 1987 by Pope John Paul II in Rome.  He is recognized as the first Filipino saint and martyr.

I feel sad for this tattered marker.  I feel sad for those who suffered, who are still suffering  and persecuted because of their faith, political allegiance, and ethnicity.

Linking to Our World-Tuesday 

Dancing Rings/OWT

Right across the Rizal monument at the Rizak Park is a replica of the "Dancing Rings" sculpture by Olympic artist, Jose Datuin.  The sculpture won 1st Prize in the 2008 International Olympic Committee Sport & Art contest at Lausanne, Switzerland in the celebration of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, besting 35 countries.  The winning piece is now permanently housed and exhibited at the International Olympic Committee Museum in Switzerland.

Crafted from stainless steel, the work consists of five rings and ball that is lightly welded on the central ring.  According to the artist, the ball represents the World while the interlocking rings denote One Dream.  It also suggests the form of dancing human figure, creating an exciting infinite movement.

Linking to Our World Tuesday

Girlfriends/Water World-Wednesday

Two girlfriends dancing in the pond at the Paradiso Terrestre.

Linking to Water World-Wednesday

Lapu-Lapu: Sentinel of Freedom/Our World-Tuesday

Today, August 27th, we celebrate National Heroes Day to commemorate our heroes throughout history.  

One of my favorite Filipino heroes is Lapu-Lapu--a man who resisted a foreign invader and fought guns with spears, kampilan and kalasag. He was the first-ever recognized Filipino hero and freedom fighter.  I was in Rizal Park two weeks ago and visited Lapu-Lapu's 30-foot bronze statue.  This monument is called the "Sentinel of Freedom", a gift from the Korean Freedom League, and was erected here in 2004.  It was conceptualized to give recognition to the first Asian who fought against foreign invasion.

The hero was shown standing guard, holding his kampilan, which is concealed in its scabbard and firmly planted on the ground.  A man of peace yet ready to protect his territory and people if threatened.  The statue faces the west, towards Manila Bay.

Lapu-Lapu (1491-1542) is known in history as the Datu of Mactan in Central Philippines who defeated in 1521 the Portuguese explorer and conquistador Ferdinand Magellan. Magellan, who was under the service of the King of Spain, was the first man to circumnavigate the world.  After the historic battle in what would later be known as the Battle of Mactan, it took the Spanish colonialists 35 years before they would set foot again on what is now the Philippines.

The statue was sculpted by Juan Sajid Imao, a 2001 TOYM awardee for the arts.

Linking to Our World-Tuesday

Waterfall/Water World-Wednesday

I was at my cousin's wedding last Saturday, and got bored of the speeches at the reception.  I went out to explore Paradiso, and found this cool man-made waterfall by the courtyard.

The fat kois were frolicking in the water, probably wondering why the birds were not moving!

@ Paradiso Terrestre, Bacoor, Cavite

Linking to Water World - Wednesday

Circle [Photo Hunt]

@ mirandablue

The "Gateway of Dreams" sculpture at the Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta.  This sculpture pays homage to the founder of the modern Olympics, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, and to the ideals of the game.  One of the features of the monument is the Olympic rings---five interlocking circles that represent the of union five continents and the meeting of athletes from throughout the world at the Olympic Games.  This photo was taken in August 2009 during my short visit in Atlanta.

Wishing you and yours happy holidays!

Posted for Photo Hunt hosted by TN Chick

Silent, quiet [Tahimik]

         @ mirandablue         Silent Companion by Seb Chua

Gusto kong bigyan pugay si Seb Chua, ang gumawa ng sculpture na ito sa Eastwood Mall.  Istatwa ng aso at tao na tinawag n'yang "Silent Companion". 

click to enlarge

Nakakalungkot ang kalagayan ng maraming aspin na pakalat-kalat sa kalsada.  Naturingan na "man's best-friend" pero bakit maraming umaabuso sa aso?  Nag-aalala ako kapag umuulan kung may nasisilungan ba sila.  Nakakakain ba sila at hindi pinag-mamalupitan?

Ang pag-alaga ng anumang hayop ay isang responsibilidad.  Nagugutom, nauuhaw, nasasaktan at nangangailangan sila ng kalinga.  Sana h'wag balewalain at pabayaan na lang.

Si Fritz, ang aking tahimik na kaibigan at kasama.  Naghihintay at masayang sumasalubong sa akin sa pinto, taga-gising ko sa umaga, nakakapawi sa pagod, nakakapagpangiti at nakakapagpasaya sa akin, at tahimik na nakikinig lang sa mga hinaing ko.  Hindi man s'ya nakakapagsalita, alam n'yang mahal ko s'ya.  At sa pagkawag lang ng kanyang buntot, alam kong masaya din s'ya.

Posted for Litratong Pinoy

@ mirandablue                                                                                                             Fritz- My Silent Companion

“He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart.”

For Thursday Two Questions:
1.  Would you prefer silence or angry words?
2.  If your dog/cat could talk, what would he/she tell you?