The second cry of Balintawak

The public is in a state of uproar. Where to transfer the Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City by the National Artist Guillermo Tolentino?

The LRT and MRT trains will meet at the intersection of EDSA and MacArthur highway, unfortunately where the monument is located. Definitely, this will be the second death of the national hero under the hands of politicians.

Time is running short. The government cultural officials are doing nothing.

I suggested that the Bonifacio Monument be transferred to Luneta fronting the Manila Hotel. Concerned politicians and citizens replied.

Caloocan Mayor Reynaldo Malonzo wants the monument transferred to Barangay Tala, north of the city. Senator Blas Ople objected to the transfer to this remote barangay, formerly known as Tala Leprosarium. Baka mahawa pa ng ketong si Bonifacio. The heirs of the Katipunan (Kaanak) think Barangay Tala is a trashcan. Others want the monument transferred to Fort Bonifacio or the University of the Philippines grounds.

Mayor Lito Atienza welcomes the monument and is offering the now beautiful plaza in front of the post office.

Anywhere! Anywhere as long as the monument is removed from Caloocan. The monument must be viewed by all Filipinos.

I suggest that the monument be transferred to Luneta park nang makasinghot naman ng sariwang hangin si Bonifacio.

Why Luneta? Bonifacio was a Manileño. The monument will be viewed by many schoolchildren, who would be inspired to love their country. The youth would be inspired by the heroic deeds of the Katipuneros. This monument is the only great monument we have in the Philippines. At the Luneta, the monument will be admired by local and foreign tourists. Why keep this great and beautiful monument on its unsightly site?

Mayor Malonzo, don’t be greedy. Be patriotic. Why don’t you want to release the beautiful monument in your ugly and dirty rotunda? Pakawalan na ho ninyo si Bonifacio sa pagkaalipin diyan sa Caloocan. Noong panahon pa ng Kastila pinaglaban na ni Bonifacio ang ating kalayaan. Ibigay mo na Mayor. Makatikim naman si Bonifacio ng kaligayahan.

At the Luneta, Tolentino’s masterpiece will be seen by every Filipino, rich and poor.

The monument needs a decent place. It was adjudged one of the best in the world. At the Luneta, the monument will be seen by the world.

We must immediately create a committee to study the problems in dismantling, transferring and casting the monument again. I learned that the sculptor Tolentino had the monument cast in Italy where he studied. We ask the Italian government for help.

We need experts. We need the help of everybody who loves great works of art.