EDSA Shrine
One afternoon, our prof asked us to criticize the EDSA Shrine for our blog. So after our class, I immediately went home- which I don’t usually do! I went home at around 6 pm and my mom was cooking our dinner. While we were eating, I asked her if we could go to EDSA Shrine on Sunday and she replied- Sure, Why not son? I felt very excited and I researched things about EDSA Shrine. Here are some:
The Edsa Shrine is located at the intersection of Ortigas Avenue and EDSA Avenue (Epifanio de los Santos Avenue) in Quezon City. It is known as the Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace. It was established to mark the birthplace of People Power, the 1986 uprising that put the Marcos dictatorship into its anticipated downfall. The small church holds one of the biggest bronze statues of the Virgin Mary at the top of its roof.
It is dedicated to Our Lady who has miraculously interceded to oust the dictatorship in a peaceful and bloodless uprising that is now world renowned as the People Power Revolution of 1986. On December 15, 1989, the EDSA Shrine was established with then Rev. Fr. Socrates B. Villegas as Rector. Since then, the Church has grown with the help of volunteers who now have formally organized themselves into the EDSA Shrine Community. His Eminence Jaime Cardinal Sin described the EDSA Shrine as Holy Ground when another miracle, the second peaceful People Power took place in January 2001. With the help of the Blessed Mother and Santo Niño, the people’s prayer for a moral leadership was answered. A Holy Ground marker was inaugurated at the EDSA Shrine on February 25, 2001 during the 15th anniversary of the first EDSA People Power.
Architect Mañosa designed the Shrine to evoke the freedom of movement and celebratory spirit of the original EDSA Revolution. The Shrine is to open out to the streets with the image of Our Lady of Queen of Peace, as sculpted in bronze by the late artist Virginia Ty-Navarro, forming the apex of the structure. The promenade is accessible through cascading stairs and ramps from EDSA and Ortigas Avenue. The center of this plaza faces the convergence of the two main roads and has become the site of the Eucharistic celebration held each year to commemorate the People Power Revolution.
Various works of art symbolize the spirit of freedom and peace at the Shrine's promenade area. At one end is the "Flame of Freedom," a sculpture done by artist Manny Casal of three hardy men bearing a cauldron of flame over their shoulders, representing the Philippines' three major islands, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Throughout the plaza are the 14 Stations of the Cross as rendered in bronze by national artist Napoleon Abueva.
At one corner are the carillon bells, which were crafted by some friends from Holland from the bullets and cannons of the Second World War. At given intervals during the day, the bells chime familiar patriotic and religious tunes, mostly evoking sentiments of the People Power Revolution.
The main chapel spans the breadth of the entire intersection and is accessible from either avenue. At each side are chapels, one the San Lorenzo Ruiz chapel and the other the Chapel of Perpetual Adoration. Natural lighting is obtained from all sides, except the main altar wall, which draws light from the skylight above. This skylight is diffused by a stained glass ceiling designed by artist Eduardo Castrillo.
Within the main chapel, a floating glass sculpture of the Risen Christ by Ramon Orlina overlooks the main marble altar also created by Abueva. The upper walls are muted murals that depict and interpret the four-day revolution by 15 artists from Angono, Rizal, led by Nemi Miranda. The art works "Doves of Peace," also by Casal, rest gently on the holy water fonts by the entrances.
At the chapel of the perpetual adoration the Blessed Sacrament is dramatically exposed through the monstrance-sculpture done by Castrillo.
At the other side chapel named after the first Filipino saint, San Lorenzo Ruiz, there is a wall mural depicting the saint's life painted by artist Ben Alano.
The construction of the original Shrine was almost complete by late November of 1989 and preparations were underway to have it inaugurated on December 8, 1989, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.
Source:
http://www.edsashrine.com/v2/aboutus.php
My Side:
It was a bright and sunny Sunday. The long wait is over! We went to EDSA Shrine and began to observe the things we see. The first thing that caught my attention is the big bronze statue of Mary. It was sculpted by the Virginia Ty-Navarro.
For me, it is not beautiful and also, it has no proportion- eyes are too big, nose is very flat and pointed, hands are very big, the body is too short and the dress looks like a roof. The bronze statue looks like a caricature of Mary. The thing we usually see on newspapers. The face of Mary should have had more details. The birds around Mary add meaning to the very structure- PEACE. The base gave it a good monumental look. One good example of a structure with a monumental look is the Rizal Park.
Mary's Face
I don’t know why the artist made Mary look like an old hopeless woman. She was supposed to be Our Lady of Peace and not Our Lady of Sorrows!
The structure has a landscape around it. It is composed of grass, flowering plants and shrubs. The landscape adds character to the structure.
Also, it has bronze carvings around it. The carvings show patriotism and heroism. It is one of the major features of the structure.
Bronze Carvings and Landscape
There is also a black marble that has words for the persons that were part of the EDSA revolution. This black marble is considered to be priceless.
Ninoy Aquino’s famous quote “The Filipino Is Worth Dying For” can be found on the structure. Behind it are the stone tiles.
For me, EDSA Shrine is a structure that gives honor and lasting memory to the victorious 1986 People Power. Also, it inspires people to make God a part of their everyday life.
Madison Square Pioneer
