Malabon's Landmark

I never noticed it before.  Not until recently when I started becoming more mindful of the sights around me during my periodic descents into the heart of town.

A magnificant bronze sculpture standing proudly on a small area straddling Letre Road and C-4 Road, right before the SSS & BIR offices on C-4.  Behind it, a welcome sign to this city we lovingly call our hometown Malabon.

Up close is the only way to really appreciate this magnificent sculpture.  I just wish that Meralco post could be situated farther away. 

The sculpture is by MICHAEL CACNIO, based on a painting by his father ANGEL CACNIO.  According to the artist, he first submitted a study of the painting to then Mayor Amado "Boy" Vicencio which he finalized in 2001.  The painting appears on the cover of Nonoy Marcelo's book "...From Tambobong to City of Malabon."  His son Michael later made the sculpture.

Because Malabon is surrounded by rivers and is near Manila Bay, much of the livelihood in the city is related to fishing.  Thus the main character depicted in the sculpture is a fisherman with a fishing net slung over his shoulder and a metal basin ("banyera") full of fish at his feet.  Behind the fisherman is a man who appears to be in a "barong" (Filipino dress shirt) - and Mr. Cacnio says his concept was that this man represents a professional who studied and will help lead our city to progress.  This man also represents the father who, together with his wife and children, form a tightly bonded family.  The bamboo pieces surrounding the sculpture are 21 in all - representing the 21 barangays of Malabon.

One reason why we hardly notice this landmark - aside from the fact that we are usually cooped up in a car or jeepney and rushing to or from somewhere when we pass it - is that it is set against a cluttered background.  I understand that there are plans to transfer the sculpture in front of the Malabon City Hall.  I think this is an excellent idea. Malabon residents would then be able to better appreciate this art piece and all that it symbolizes.

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For more on ANGEL CACNIO please see:  Angel C. Cacnio, preeminent Malabon artist and Angel Cacnio: Strokes for the Folk.

For more on MICHAEL CACNIO please see:  Michael Cacnio: Sculptor par excellence.


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