History revived by Celia and Guillermo Guevara / Orlina's 'Quattromondial'

It was with immense surprise that I received a historical book written by Celia Diaz-Laurel. I have always known Celia as a visual artist who, after taking Fine Arts at the UP, painted portraits mostly of family members and friends, designed sets and acted for Repertory Philippines.

The book’s foreword by Serafin D. Quiason, historian and former director of the National Library, glowingly praises “My Lolo Domingo Franco” which is about the hero and martyr who, along with 12 others, was executed at Bagumbayan Field 12 days after Rizal’s own execution.

In a simple yet riveting style, Celia’s book brings to life Rizal, Mabini, Marcelo del Pilar, Bonifacio, Antonio and Juan Luna and, of course, Celia’s lolo Domingo Franco who was a prosperous businessman who became deeply involved in the fight for freedom from Spanish colonial rule.

The main culprits were not so much the Spanish authorities but the friars under whose oppressive machinations the Propaganda Movement, the Liga Filipina, the Katipunan, Masonry, the Compromisarios came to being. In Madrid, Del Pilar edited La Solidaridad which newspaper advocated reforms and Philippine representation in the Spanish Cortes.

Celia cajoles readers to get vicariously engaged in the activities of the era. There were divisions then — just as there are now among the politicians — with differences arising from the collection of funds needed to carry on the cause for freedom.

By her own confession, Celia initially had scant knowledge of the country’s history but she delved into it passionately, growing conversant with our historians, Carlos Quirino and others whom she quotes extensively.

Franco, president of the Liga Filipina, was a friend and ardent admirer of Rizal whose two novels and other writings he avidly and widely distributed. Falsely accused of being a traitor and of inciting rebellion against Spain, Franco was thrown into Fort Santiago and mercilessly tortured. Yet not once did he betray his peers.

As already mentioned, Franco and 12 others were shot at Bagumbayan Field only a few days after Rizal’s own execution, the valiant heroes professing unwavering love and loyalty to country to the end. (Priceless pictures of the martyrs before and after their martyrdom are in the book.)

Doña Concepcion, second child of Franco, passed on her nationalism to Celia as did Celia’s husband, Salvador “Doy” Laurel, son of the towering statesman-patriot Jose P. Laurel.

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The Judge Guillermo B. Guevara Room will re-open at UP’s main library on Feb. 10. Judge Guevara’s son Ricardo sends me the following information:

The newly renovated Judge Guillermo B. Guevara Room located on the second level of the UP Diliman Main Library will re-open to the public with a ceremonial blessing on Friday, 10 February 2012, at 3 p.m. The room, which first opened in 1977, will feature Amorsolo paintings and the Judge’s personal memorabilia, books, and documents. Judge Guevara, founder of Philippine criminology, passed the bar examination without formal studies (self-taught) in 1912 and completed the Master of Law from Georgetown University in 1916. He was a professorial lecturer on criminal law for 21 years at UP Diliman from 1921 to 1942.

The Amorsolo paintings that are on permanent display inside the room were loaned by the Judge Guillermo B. Guevara Foundation and includes a portrait of the Judge and three historical works of the National Artist: Ang Wakas ni Magallanes, Assassination of Governor Bustamante, and Bataan. Ang Wakas ni Magallanes is the only known work by Amorsolo, the room also offers students and non-students research resources on law and code of crimes, as well as numerous books and articles with topics that range from penal sciences to history and philosophy.

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As the UST closes its fourth centennial celebration, Thomasians pay tribute to their fellow Thomasian, the acclaimed sculptor Ramon Orlina whose masterpiece, the Quattromondial, which was unveiled in the campus, marks its first anniversary.

The monument is a ten-meter tall structure cast in bronze. Its four human figures — a male and a female student (models were Piolo Pascual and Charlene Gonzales), a Dominican priest (UST rector, Fr. Rolando V. de la Rosa) and an academician (Orlina’s daughter Monina) “represent the four centuries of excellence, erudition, spirituality and tradition the UST has demonstrated to and inspired in everyone of its stockholders.”

As the sculpture marked its first year, Orlina celebrated his birthday with a concert featuring pianist Raul Sunico, soprano Rachelle Gerodias and violinist Gina Medina at the UST College of Law lobby.