Burning men: Art meets flames with the SONA effigies

They’re bright colorful, near-mythical looking paper sculptures, a testament to the imagination of their creators. 

 

Unfortunately, completion only comes when Monday's State of the Nation protests consign these effigies of President Benigno Aquino III to the flames. 

 

The protesters burned an Aquino effigy showing him as a "two-faced president," said Crisanto De Leon, chairperson of the effigy-making Ugat Lahi Artist's Collective.

 

Crisanto explained that the effigy's right hand is shown holding a wilted flower depicting Aquino as a "manliligaw na nambobola sa mamamayan."

 

Meanwhile, Aquino's left hand held a mace to show his "fascist" side, the artist added.

Crisanto de Leon’s “Two-faced president” effigy eventually met its fiery end during Monday’s State of the Nation Address. MARC JAYSON CAYABYAB

"Sa kabila ng mga pinapakita niyang achievements ng termino niya, nag-gather ang mga tao para ipakita ang tunay nilang kalagayan," De Leon said.

 

Meanwhile, activists from Gabriela sang a protest song to the tune of Nicki Minaj's "Starships" while a Noynoy mascot danced with a figure of Uncle Sam.

 

"Two years na panlilinlang. Hands up kay Uncle Sam. Heads up sa paghihirap. He does it every time," the protesters sang, condemning Aquino as protective of US interests.

 

Another effigy depicted Aquino with a long nose as a "PNoy-chio."

 

Gerry Matagsico, the effigy maker from Bayan Muna, said they showed PNoy as a "liar" in his promises for change.

 

"Ginagawa namin ito para ipakita sa kanya at sa mga mamamayan na hanggang ngayon, sa ikatlo niyang SONA, wala pa ring napapala, bagkus humahaba pa ang kanyang kasinungalinan," Matagsico said.

 

However, the protesters were confronted by police officers as they attempted to get past the fence blocking their way to Congress.

 

About 40 protesters, mostly from the youth sector, and a Catholic priest were injured in the scuffle, said Gene Nisperos of the Health Alliance for Democracy. — DVM, GMA News