Manda and Luyong, the two characters from the legend of the city of Mandaluyong, are now greeting motorists and commuters along the Shaw Boulevard Flyover in EDSA.
The young artists of Gerilya, from the College of Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines (UP CFA), painted the mural of the two early Filipinos on the two pillars of the flyover along EDSA, in the center of the city.
The UP CFA group was formed in 2008 and has been advocating Filipino culture and history in their commissioned works displayed in exhibits, street art, graffiti, murals, and more.
Ang Gerilya shared on social media the photos of their newest mural paintings showcasing Mandaluyong City’s legendary figures as a way of promoting the arts and heritage of the Mandaleños.
“Inihahandog ng Gerilya ang “Ang Alamat ni Manda at Luyong”, magkapares na mural na ipininta sa dalawang haligi ng Shaw Boulevard Flyover bilang pagpapahalaga sa makulay na kwento ng lungsod ng Mandaluyong,” Ang Gerilya said in a post on September 19.
The legend of Mandaluyong says the city’s name originated from the names of Manda and Luyong who were lovers.
Manda was said to be a lovely daughter of the chieftain while Luyong was a Maharlika nobleman.
The story says that Luyong successfully obtained the maiden’s hand for marriage by winning a tribal competition, despite the objection of Manda’s father.
The couple eventually settled in the place now called Mandaluyong.
Ianna Engaño, one of the artists who painted the murals, shared to Good News Pilipinas that the team is still working on two more pillars for the city.
“Hopefully by Sunday, we are almost done,” Engano revealed.
The murals, which add to the color and vibrant character of the city, is a public art initiative of Ang Gerilya in partnership with the Mandaluyong City government, the National Commission of Culture and the Arts, and Davies Paints Philippines.
Mandaluyong City is in the heart of the National Capital Region and has hosted big events such as job fairs, trade fairs, fashion shows, movie premieres, exhibits, and was the site of the unveiling of the first Filipino wax figure of Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach.
The city will also host the upcoming all-Filipino book fair in November.
As the Philippines is getting closer to the 2021 celebration of the 500th year anniversary of Lapu-Lapu’s victory, the human achievement of successfully circumnavigating the world, and the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines, native Filipino arts and images have resurfaced into the Philippine pop culture.
LRT-1 recently displayed the ancient form of writing Baybayin and photos of early Filipinos in three coaches as part of its “Gabay Guro” National Teachers Month celebration.
Google has also added the Baybayin and other native Filipino scripts in its Google Board.
The national sport Arnis is also making the headlines for Cebu, on the Filipino animated series “Kamagong“, and on the online game Tekken.
Miss Universe Catriona Gray has also been showcasing native textile in her fashion, from the pageant in Thailand to the Miss Universe Organization Headquarters in New York.
SEND cheers in the comments below to UP CFA’s Ang Gerilya artists and the people of Mandaluyong City for championing local art!
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