It’s time to redefine the word “revolutionary.”. Ang rebolusyonaryo hindi lang handang pumatay ng kaaway ng bansa. Ang rebolusyonaryo nagbibigay buhay din sa bayan. This Monday, the Constantino Foundation and PUP will unveil the mural “Mga Rebolusyonaryo” depicting the lives of the food scientist Maria Y. Orosa and botanists Leonard Co and Eduardo Quisimbing. The two-storey painting is on the wall of PUP’s main library and is part of the university’s commemoration of its 120th founding. Under the administration of Dr Manuel Muhi, PUP is challenging norms and pushing the envelope of creativity – in other words, exercising national leadership.
Each figure in the mural has their own tagline: “Leonard Co, Bayani Ko” and “Maria Y. Orosa, Tagapagligtas!” and “Eduardo Quisimbing, Muhon ng Bayan”. We thank the young artists, each representing different disciplines (biology, accountancy, philosophy, sociology, etc.) who are all from PUP. Mabuhay kayo, at mabuhay ang #SintangPaaralan.
Each figure will be painted with the icon they’re also celebrated by: Co, with the Rafflesia leonardii, a flower named after him, Quisimbing with the Sacccolabium quisimbingii, an orchid named after him, and bananas – saging na saba – for Orosa, whose countless creations, including banana ketchup, saved so many lives, especially as she volunteered with the Marking Guerillas during the world anti-fascist war. Leonard Co was gunned down by the Philippine military whose officials said they were “mistaken” for NPAs. The mural is a contribution to the fight for justice which continues to elude the family of the beloved botanist.
