Timbulan ng Laya at Diwang Dakila, Carlos Botong Francisco, 1968, oil on canvas
In 1963, Mayor Antonio Villegas wrote a report, Building a Better Manila, where he indicated in detail his accomplishments on his first year as Mayor of Manila and his vision for the future of the city. Villegas aspired for a prosperous Manila by providing its residents access to health, family and housing services, opportunities for education and employment and improved infrastructure for water and road systems. *Notice the hands at the top of the painting. These hands symbolize the protective reach of God over the city of Manila.
Central Panel
On either side of the seal of Manila are the former mayors of the city. At the bottom are the city’s old seals.
Seal of Manila adopted in 1965 under Mayor Antonio Villegas
Timbulan ng Laya (Beacon of Freedom) at Diwang Dakila (Noble Spirit) are written on the seal. A sunburst with 15 rays cast light across the canvas. Below the sun, in red, is the Baybayin letter for Ka representing Kalayaan (Freedom). A church and the gate of Fort Santiago are depicted in the center. Fort Santiago is where Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines, was incarcerated and executed by Spanish soldiers. The garland of honor is a tribute to the patriots who fought valiantly for freedom. The year 1571 on the seal is the year when Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, founded colonial Manila. The year 1963 refers to the year Villegas was elected Mayor of Manila (prior to that he had assumed the office of Mayor due to the demise of his predecessor). Villegas’ portrait is shown on the bottom right.
Villegas shown with previous Mayors of Manila
The motto is written in Babayin inspired font.
Magmuni’t lumikha nang maging dakila - Ponder, create to become great
Manulay sa diwa ng tunay na laya - Ride in the fervor of true freedom
Left Panel
On the left panel we see Villegas’ vision which include a reliable water supply service represented on the painting by a huge faucet with water flowing down like waterfall and a man scooping the water with his hands to drink it as plants grow around him, a doctor examining an elderly patient to symbolize health services and a network of roads and overpasses/underpasses to facilitate movement of traffic and people in the city. In the center of the panel is his wife Lydia Villegas who is seated in front of the sign, Damayang Maharnilad, which refers to a city organization helping the residents of Manila. Damayan means to be with someone who is in need of help and Maharnilad is a word taken from the combination of Maharlika and Maynilad (noble Manilan or Manileño).
Former Mayors of Manila, Left Panel
Right Panel, Detail
The right panel shows the plan to provide housing opportunities and access to higher education for the residents of Manila. It also shows laborers working hard while police authorities in the background represent law and order.Pamantasan ng Maynila, Right Panel
The Pamantasan or university was started during the Lacson administration with a P1million grant for building the university. Lacson died of a heart attack and Villegas, who succeeded him, continued the process of establishing the university. Villegas sought the help of then Manila congressman, Justo Albert, to file legislation for the operation of the university. The legislation was approved in 1965 under Republic Act 4196 which is an “Act Authorizing the City of Manila to establish and operate the University of the City of Manila”. It is the only chartered and autonomous university in the Philippines funded by a city government. It is also the first tuition free university in the country. Then President Diosdado Macapagal endowed the university with three hectares of land in the historical district of Intramurous. Pamantasan ng Maynila has a student enrollment of over 10,000 today.Detail, Right Panel
A couple with child stand by a model of a house (left) which is part of the plan to make housing available for the growing population of Manila. Behind them are the heroes of Philippine independence. They are shown tearing up their cedulla, a symbol of Spanish colonial rule.
Laborers working hard, Right Panel
Paco is the name of one of the districts in Manila. There are 14 altogether that are inscribed on the painting.
Former Mayors of Manila from Right Panel
Former Mayors of Manila, Right Panel
Timbulan ng Laya is on display at the National Museum of the Philippines. It has been designated a National Cultural Treasure together with Filipino Struggles in History. The Museum of Fine Arts of the Philippines is on Padre Burgos Drive, Rizal Park, Metro Manila. Admission is free.
If you’re interested to learn more about the art of Carlos “Botong” Francisco, you can read about them here:
Filipino Struggles in History: https://www.travelswithcharie.com/2019/05/filipino-struggles-in-history-carlos.html
Progress of Medicine in the Philippines: https://www.travelswithcharie.com/2018/07/the-art-of-carlos-botong-francisco.html
Stations of the Cross: https://www.travelswithcharie.com/2024/04/stations-of-cross-1-by-carlos-botong.html
A Nation Imagined: https://www.travelswithcharie.com/2013/03/botong.html
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Images by TravelswithCharie