{{Short description|Monument to Lapu-Lapu in Manila, Philippines}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}} {{Infobox monument |monument_name = Sentinel of Freedom |native_name = |image = Sentinel of Freedom in January 2026.jpg |caption =The statue in 2026 along Maria Orosa Street, facing the Rizal Monument |location = Rizal Park, Manila |designer = Juan Sajid Imao |type = |material = Bronze |length = |width = |height = {{convert|12.19|m|ft|sp=us}}<br>{{nowrap|{{small|(including {{convert|3.05|m|ft|sp=us|adj=on}} pedestal)}} }} |begin = |complete = |open = {{start date|2004|02|05}} |dedicated_to = Lapulapu |map_image = |map_caption = |map_width = |coordinates = {{coord|14.5837600|N|120.9805337|E|dim:300_region:PH_type:landmark|format=dms|display=inline,title}} |lat = |long = |extra = }}
The '''Sentinel of Freedom''' is a monument to Lapulapu located at the eastern portion of Rizal Park in Manila, Philippines.<ref name="lakbay">{{cite web|title=DOT unveils Lapu-Lapu monument at Luneta|url=http://www.lakbaypilipinas.com/press_releases/20040205_dot_lapu-lapu.html|website=Lakbay Pilipinas Online|accessdate=June 2, 2016|date=February 5, 2004}}</ref>
==History== [[File:Aerial_view_of_Agrifina_Circle.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of the Agrifina Circle, where the Statue of the Sentinel of Freedom was previously centered.]] thumb|The Agrifina Circle in June 2024. Note the absence of the statue and its podium.
In 2004, Representatives Raul del Mar (Cebu City 1st District) and Nerissa Corazon Soon-Ruiz (Cebu 6th District) initiated a proposal to install a statue of Lapulapu in Rizal Park as a move to honor him as a hero not only of Cebu but of the whole Philippines.<ref name="radazainsists">{{cite news|last1=Mendoza|first1=Norman|title=Radaza insists on taking Lapu-Lapu statue from Luneta|url=http://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/34482/radaza-insists-on-taking-lapu-lapu-statue-from-luneta|accessdate=June 2, 2016|work=Cebu Daily News|date=July 3, 2014}}</ref> They urged the Office of the President to accept their proposal.<ref name="don'tmove">{{cite news|title=Don't move Lapu-Lapu statue to Cebu yet, says congressman|url=http://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/34240/dont-move-lapu-lapu-statue-to-cebu-yet-says-congressman|accessdate=June 2, 2016|work=Cebu Daily News|date=June 29, 2014}}</ref> Then-Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon, who was a 2004 senatorial candidate,<ref name=stirsrow>{{cite news |title=Lapu-Lapu stirs row at Luneta |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2004/02/08/238076/lapu-lapu-stirs-row-luneta |accessdate=September 15, 2020 |work=The Philippine Star |date=February 8, 2004}}</ref> supported the installation of the statue.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Doronio |first1=Junex |title=Lapu-lapu's installation in Mactan necessary |url=https://manilastandard.net/mobile/article/152626 |accessdate=September 15, 2020 |work=Manila Standard |date=July 14, 2014}}</ref> The project was opposed by the National Historical Institute (NHI) led by Ambeth Ocampo, which insisted that only statues of heroes of the Philippine Revolution could be erected in the Agrifina Circle.<ref name="denounces">{{cite news |title=Lapu-Lapu City denounces removal of Lapu-Lapu's statue from Rizal Park |url=https://www.philstar.com/nation/2004/06/20/254642/lapu-lapu-city-denounces-removal-lapu-lapu146s-statue-rizal-park |accessdate=September 15, 2020 |work=The Philippine Star |date=June 20, 2004}}</ref>
The statue was unveiled on February 5, 2004, despite opposition from the NHI, after then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo approved the project.<ref name="denounces"/> The Korean Freedom League led by Chairman Kwon Jung-dal<ref name="lakbay"/> donated {{Philippine peso|15 million|link=yes}} for the casting of the statue.<ref name=pinoypride>{{cite news|last1=Mendez|first1=Christina|title=Lapu-Lapu: Symbol of Pinoy pride|url=http://www.philstar.com/news-feature/2006/01/17/317037/lapu-lapu-symbol-of-pinoy-pride|accessdate=June 2, 2016|work=The Philippine Star|date=January 17, 2006}}</ref> The statue was temporarily dismantled from the Agrifina Circle in mid-2004, which was met with opposition, including from the local government of Lapu-Lapu City at that time.<ref name="denounces"/>
In 2014, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza requested the transfer of the statue to Punta Engaño in her city, where she planned to place it on an artificial island to be constructed at the tip of the locality. This proposal arose after Radaza met with Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr., during which the National Historical Institute's (NHI) opinion that the statue could "desecrate" Rizal Park was raised.<ref name="radazainsists"/> The move was opposed by Representative Raul del Mar, who said that the move would be detrimental and would cause a “loss of honor and recognition” to the province of Cebu and Lapulapu.<ref name="don'tmove"/>
In July 2023, the statue was taken under the care of the National Museum of the Philippines and was dismantled for “restoration and re-erection,” amid the redevelopment of the park's eastern section.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/multimedia/slideshow/07/27/23/look-map-of-the-philippines-lapu-lapu-monument-gone|title=LOOK: Relief Map of the Philippines, Lapulapu Monument disappear from Rizal Park|first=Jonathan|last=Cellona|date=July 27, 2023|access-date=April 13, 2024|work=ABS-CBN News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/cebu-news/2023/07/10/2280234/lapulapu-statue-luneta-be-restored-re-erected|title=Lapulapu statue in Luneta to be restored, re-erected|first=Jonnavie J.|last=Villa|date=July 10, 2023|accessdate=April 13, 2024|work=The Freeman}}</ref> The re-erection project was completed in August 2024, with the statue now facing the Rizal Monument.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/photos/71782|title=RETURN OF LAPULAPU|first=Yancy|last=Lim|date=August 5, 2024|accessdate=August 12, 2024|work=Philippine News Agency}}</ref><ref name="reassembledgma">{{cite news |title=Statue of Sentinel of Freedom reassembled in Manila |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/photo/441127/statue-of-sentinel-of-freedom-reassembled-in-manila/photo/ |access-date=20 February 2025 |work=GMA News |language=en}}</ref>
==Design and symbolism== The Sentinel of Freedom was designed by sculptor Juan Sajid Imao. The monument is composed of a {{convert|12.19|m|ft|sp=us|adj=on}} bronze statue atop a {{convert|3.05|m|ft|sp=us|adj=on}} pedestal. Imao noted that his work on the statue sought to portray Lapulapu as a strong and peace-loving man who was also ready to defend himself against those who threatened his freedom. Lapulapu is portrayed not in a fighting stance but rather standing guard, holding a kampilan sheathed in a scabbard and planted in the ground.<ref name="lakbay"/>
Then-Tourism Undersecretary Oscar Palabyab chose to create a statue for Lapulapu not primarily due to his victory over Ferdinand Magellan but for the value he represented in history.<ref name="lakbay"/>
The distance between the statue and the Rizal Monument, which is dedicated to Jose Rizal, was {{convert|400|ft|m}}, representing the "400-year gap" between Lapulapu and Rizal.<ref name=stirsrow/> According to Gordon, Lapulapu represents the Muslims and Rizal represents the Tagalog Christians in Philippine history.<ref name=pinoypride/>
The statue, which was also donated by the Korean Freedom League, was a gift in recognition of Filipinos who fought for South Korea in the Korean War.<ref name="don'tmove"/>
== See also == * Lapu-Lapu Shrine
== References == {{reflist|30em}}
==External links== * {{Commons category-inline}}
{{Rizal Park}} {{Manila attractions}}
Category:Monuments and memorials in Metro Manila Category:Buildings and structures in Ermita Category:Sculptures by Filipino artists