Filipinos inspiring Filipinos.
Urban artist Archie Geotina’s 2,000-square foot black and white mural, “Ang Lakbay ng 105 Milyon,” puts the spotlight on Philippines’ best asset—Filipinos. The artwork, unveiled on Feb. 14, stretches across the ceiling of Salcedo Underpass along Ayala Avenue in Makati City.
The mural is a composite of the Philippines’ best sites and people laid out like a baroque image reminiscent of the style in the Sistine Chapel. The images were curated from Geotina’s travels to heritage destinations like Kalinga, Siargao, and Lanao Del Sur.
With Filipinos’ faces featured prominently in the mural, the exhibit, whose name refers to the country’s 105 million population, emphasizes that the real beauty of the Philippines is the resilience of its people.
Supplementing the mural are profiles of the country’s inspiring and noteworthy people like Jaime Rusillon, the Godfather of Philippine Surfing; Hijab Troopers, female soldiers in the Marawi siege; Cebuano furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue; and more.
“We hope that with this piece of art, we inspire Filipinos to appreciate the people who are before us, behind us, and beside us, acknowledging their contribution to society because without one another nothing prospers,” said Alfred Ty, chairman of Federal Land, the co-presenter of the exhibit.
Federal Land, Inc. and Makati Central Estate Association unveiled the mural to the public.
