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Artist’s name: Francesco Ricardo Monti

Notable Insights

In The Spanish Era, Francesco Ricardo Monti depicts the conquest of the country by the Cross and the Sword. Before the prostrate figures of our ancestors stands an Augustinian friar bearing aloft the cross, while a soldier, impressive in the carapace of his uniform, brandishes a sword that looks veritably like a burnished cross. In the background is an anchored Spanish galleon – a cargo ship – the kind which sailed the Pacific for over 250 years. Monti’s arrangement of the figures leaves no doubt as to who the conquerors were and who it was that they vanquished

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Artist’s Name: Francesco Ricardo Monti

Notable Insights:

Theme → Highlights the Filipino-American friendship which symbolizes unity, diplomacy, and cultural exchange. It shows a mix of Filipino traditions, like local produce and native attire, together with western elements such as wine and formal dress.

Reflection → We understood that through this piece of work we can appreciate both friendship and culture, because it reminds us of the importance of independence, nationalism, and the artist's own perspective.

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Artist’s name: Napoleon “Billy” Veloso Abueva

Notable insights:

Theme → The theme for michelangelo’s Pieta which is showing a mother’s grief and unconditional love to her son since the sculpture depicts how Mary held the lifeless body of Jesus after the crucifixion, is also the same for Napoleon Abueva’s Pieta as it was a homage to michaelangelo’s masterpiece

Reflection → I find it amazing how artists can not only preserve the works of one another and its meaning to interpret it as one of their own, but also transform it into they’re own creative way for it to evolve and fit in modern time.

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Artist’s name: Peter De Guzman

Notable insights:

Medium → The medium used in this artwork is bronze, a metal alloy composed of copper, tin, and small amounts of other elements. It’s also ideal for sculpting because it’s strong yet easily shaped and doesn’t corrode easily in the weather.

(source: randolph rose collection)

Reflection → This sculpture not only shows the tribute to our founder but also reflects to us the historical values of our university on how it started, in which it inspires us to be proud of our roots and the path created for us.

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Artist’s name: Roberto Ko

Notable Insights

Cultural Significance → The painting draws on the Filipino custom of bayanihan, historically the communal effort of moving a neighbor’s nipa hut—a literal and symbolic act of unity. Robert Ko reframes this tradition by replacing the humble hut with a representation of the city of Manila, lifted and carried on the shoulders of strong Filipinos. This reimagining underscores the idea that the nation's progress and resilience are borne through collective labor and solidarity.

Reflection → I chose this artwork because of its cultural significance. It ignited the pride in me of being a Filipino because of the symbolic act of “Bayanihan”, which is a crucial, or even a seeded trait of us Filipinos. I interpreted this art in a way that it speaks about even in times of perish, we Filipinos still find the courage to help and uphold other Filipinos. To me, that is the epitome of being Filipino.

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Garcia, Red Emmanuel

Mabao, Nicole

Minerva, Via Denise

Openiano, Ma. Frenche Mae

Ortega, Linxiaoyu