This post is a tribute to the UP Oblation
The Oblation is a sculpture made by Guillermo E. Tolentino in the 1930s for the University of the Philippines. It was originally made from concrete but was later on cast in Bronze. Since then, this work of art has been featured in many kinds of medium, either in prints, TV, movies, etc. to represent UP.
The sculpture has not only been an iconic symbol of the university but of the entire country as well. Its form, represented by a man with arms wide-stretched and face facing the sky, symbolizes selfless offering of one's self to his country. The statue was built as requested by former UP President Rafael Palma based on the second verse of Jose Rizal's Mi Ultimo Adios. That particular passage tells about giving up one's self for the country. In other words, patriotism and sacrifice. Thus, the Oblation generally represents an individual, a Filipino for that matter, that is without any hesitation, ready to give up everything for his/her country.
With that basis for the creation of the Oblation, one might ask, "How then does this statue reflect the every aspect of its meaning?" Looking on it as a whole, the Oblation is a statue of a nude male with wide-stretched arms and its face looking up. This indicates sacrifice or self-offering. Seeing it naked might suggest one's intentions to be of no doubts or hesitations -- willingness to sacrifice. As to how the Oblation stands, one can observe balance -- symmetry between the left and the right halves. From this, you can feel the statue's strength. It's outright posture with the properly toned muscles indicate courage, strength, and pride. The statue measures 3.5 meters in height, which according to history symbolizes the 350 years of Spanish rule in the Philippines.
In detail, the face facing up with his eyes closed and parted lips could indicate that the man is saying something. Perhaps murmuring a prayer while looking up at the sky. Also, at the base of the statue are katakataka implanted on the rocks where the Oblation stands. This plant, "wonder plant" when translated in English, is amazing in that it could grow from its leaves. When the plant's leaf is thrown away, new buds still grow. This plant symbolizes the undying faith and patriotism of an individual to its country. The leaves 'link' the Oblation to the base filled with rocks (which could symbolize the Philippine soil).
I think that there is an Oblation on every one of us. It reflects every Filipino, especially our heroes who have selflessly offered themselves for the country and their patriotism that continuously and forever grows anywhere in the Philippines.
How the Oblation affects me personally is much more of self-interpretation.
How I see this statue -- how it appeals to me, has greatly changed since I entered UP. Of course at first I was excited and proud to see that I actually study on the school where the Oblation (a famous iconic symbol and now a national icon) is located. But after all the years that I have stayed in UP, the metaphors have changed. For me, the Oblation is like my guardian, my guide to how I should be as an individual in my community.
As a Filipino.
Someone who always stands tall and proud but still keeps his feet on the ground.
Someone that always looks smart, witty, and indestructible, but never forgets to look up and pray to the One above.
There is an Oblation on every one of us.
And this is how I see mine.
My Oblation.
Sources:
"U.P. Oblation"
"Tribute to the U.P. Oblation"
"The Oblation"
Photo courtesy of June Ruivivar, 2004.
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