BAGUIO CITY — Art is the heart of protest.
Ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 27, artists from Sulong Likha are putting the finishing touches on a nine-foot effigy critiquing the country’s political situation.
“Yung una naming na naisip na concept, ano siya, parang si Duterte at Marcos na naglalaban-laban. Tapos may realization kami na hindi kailangan paglabanin yung dalawa. So oo nga, kalaban ng taong bayan ang Marcos at Duterte pareho, pero may mas nag-ko-control pa sa kanila, which is yung imperialist ng US. Yun yung sinisimbolo ng ginagawa naming effigy,” said Lulla Bucud, explaining that the group’s original concept portrayed Marcos and former President Rodrigo Duterte in conflict.
After further discussions, members agreed to focus on what they described as a larger force influencing Philippine politics.
Over the past week, Sulong Likha, a Baguio based visual arts collective, has been assembling the massive piece in the city, transforming donated cardboard and papier-mâché into the centerpiece of their annual SONA protest.
The completed effigy is expected to serve as a focal point for the Baguio SONA activities during the July 27 demonstration.
Featuring a figure that represents U.S. imperialism, the effigy depicts Marcos holding a giant spoon with a map of the Philippines. Bucud said the imagery symbolizes what the organization believes is the nation’s continued subservience to foreign interests.
“May malaking kutsara na hawak. Ang maghahawak nun ay si Bongbong Marcos, na sine-sell off niya, pinapakain niya yung Pilipinas sa imperialist ng US. Kasi yung sa Golden Spoon, may mapa siya ng Philippines, yun yung concept namin,” Bucud added.
The piece was developed through a collaborative brainstorming process before artists moved on to structural planning, papier-mâché crafting, and painting.
For Sulong Likha, the effigy is more than just an art installation. Bucud emphasized that it symbolizes the public’s anger over pressing national issues. Unlike conventional artworks, SONA effigies are created to be destroyed during protests, though this year’s piece will not be burned in Baguio due to local restrictions. — Rommel G. Fangot Jr., UC Intern
