Bust of Ferdinand Marcos
| Bust of Ferdinand Marcos | |
|---|---|
| File:Bust of Ferdinand Marcos, near the town of Baguio.jpg The bust in 1989 before its destruction | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Status | Destroyed |
| Address | Aspiras–Palispis Highway |
| Town or city | Tuba, Benguet |
| Country | Philippines |
| Construction started | 1978 |
| Completed | 1980 |
| Destroyed | 2002 |
| Height | 30 m (98 ft) |
| Technical details | |
| Material | concrete |
A 30 m (98 ft) concrete bust of former President Ferdinand Marcos was built in Tuba, Benguet. The monument was later destroyed in December 2002.
Bust
The bust bore the likeness of former President Ferdinand Marcos. The inside of the bust was hollow.[1] The bust measured 30 m (98 ft) high and was made of concrete.[2][3]
History
Around 1978, the bust's construction begun along Marcos Highway, which was later officially renamed Aspiras–Palispis Highway. The bust was constructed by the Philippine Tourism Authority and was meant to be the centerpiece of Marcos Park. The bust was positioned near the peak of Mt. Shontoug so it may be seen by Baguio-bound motorists as far as 3 km (1.9 mi) away from the monument. Father and son, Anselmo Dayag Sr. and Anselmo Jr. were chosen to design the bust but the former died due to disease. Scaffolding covered with plywood was reportedly erected to deliberately hide the bust's construction from the public. A Typhoon later blew the scaffolding away exposing the bust. The Ibaloi were said to have been displaced due to the bust's construction. It was reported that they were forced to sell their lands for outrageously low prices. The bust was completed around 1980.[2][3][4][5]
After the People Power Revolution, the Ibaloi slaughtered a pig and carabao and poured the animals' blood into the bust to "exorcise" it and later filed a case to reclaim their land.[2]
The bust was bombed in 1989 by leftist rebels and sustained cracks and other minor damage.[2][5]
The bust was subjected to controversy and was viewed as self-glorification, especially by critics of the former administration of Ferdinand Marcos. The Ibaloi's view it as symbol of their mistrust to government authorities since the construction of the bust displaced them from their lands. Communist insurgents has also criticized the bust's construction. Many groups have planned to destroy the bust.[2]
Destruction
The bust was destroyed using dynamite before dawn of December 29, 2002 by suspected treasure hunters who thought that the bust contained parts of the rumored Yamashita treasure. Benguet Governor Raul Mencio Molintas said that the police learned that a white Toyota FX van was around the area prior to the incident. It was initially thought that the New People's Army was behind the bombing of the monument.[2][3] Although the rebel group's Chadli Molintas Command claimed responsibility for the incident in a press release a day later the bombing. The communists said that the bust's mere existence "is a mockery of justice and a betrayal of the will of the people." "Let the ruins be an ugly reminder that the Marcoses have yet to pay for their crimes" the statement further said.[5][6]
The destruction of the bombing was criticized including by critics of the former president Ferdinand Marcos. Archbishop Oscar Cruz of Lingayen-Dagupan said that the bust "should have never destroyed the monument to evil in this country." and describes the bust as "a monument to evil, warning people never to become what this man was."[6]
Rehabilitation
In 2003, Former Baguio city mayor, Ramon Labo Jr. offered the Marcos family to restore the bust. Former wife of Ferdinand Marcos, Imelda Marcos took the offer as a "kind gesture" but said that efforts to fix the monument should be a "collective decision of the Marcoses and their supporters". Ferdinand Marcos Jr. the son of the former president said that the bust rehabilitation was never a subject of discussion among the family.[3]
References
- ^ "Philippines blast wrecks Marcos bust". BBC News. 29 December 2002. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f Dumlao, Artemio (30 December 2002). "Marcos bust blasted". Pugo, La Union: Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
- ^ a b c d Arzadon, Cristina (18 January 2003). "Marcos family not keen on busted bust's repair". Laoag: Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
- ^ Cabreza, Vincent (20 September 2011). "Rebuilding a monument for 'Marcos the Man,' not the late dictator". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
- ^ a b c Cimatu, Frank; Santos-Doctor, Joya (1 January 2003). "Philippines' 'Ozymandias' still haunts". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
- ^ a b "Archbishop decries Marcos bust bombing, Communists take credit". UCA News. 31 December 2002. Retrieved 27 February 2015.