The Department of Science and Technology-National Research Council of the Philippines (DOST-NRCP) is expected to unveil on Tuesday, March 9, a life-size sculpture, “Malayang Isip” (Free Mind) to pay tribute to the valuable contributions of Filipino scientists, researchers, and artists in nation building.
DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña, who served as NRCP president from 2002 to 2007, will lead the ribbon cutting and the unveiling of the NRCP sculpture.
“Lest we forget and take for granted the value of research to our lives and our existence, as well as the essence of being women and men in the sciences and the arts, hence, this NRCP sculpture. It is a celebration of new knowledge, its transfer and its ultimate use for public good,” Dr. Marieta Bañez Sumagaysay, NRCP Executive Director, said in a statement.
For Jose Manuel “Manolo” Sicat, who designed and created the sculpture, "Malayang Isip” embodies the symbolic act of liberation.
"Pinakakawalan ng pigurang hubad ang mga libro, sagisag ng kaalaman, pananaliksik at lahat ng salat at hindi masalat na katibayan ng kamalayan, pamanang kultural, mga ideya. Bakas sa mukha ng pigurang babae ang magkahalong mangha, sigaw, simbuyo. Mahalagang hubad ang nagpapakawala at nag-aalay, upang idiin na ang aksiyon ng pag-aalay ay pagiging hubad rin sa kasakiman at pagdaramot. (As the naked figure unleashes books as emblems of knowledge, tangible and intangible traces of freedom expressed in consciousness and culture as heritage are also released. Her face evokes the complex mixture of awe and the physicality of passion. In this unleashing, offering presupposes the absence of greed and self-indulgence.),” he said.
"Bukas ang pigura sa mga elemento, hinahagip ang act-in-motion, upang ipahiwatig na dinamiko ang pag-aalay, laging kaharap ang pagsalunga, ngunit buo ang loob na mag-alay, at mag-alay pa, para sa kinabukasan. (The figure is open and vulnerable to the elements, to underscore the eloquent motion of unconditional giving, that oppositions and contradictions may abound, but the self is firm in its act to offer, and offer still, for the future of all.),” he added.
NRCP President Dr. Gregorio E.H. del Pilar said "Malayang Isip” "shows that a researcher’s work has value if it comes from a mind that is completely independent, completely clear, without shadow from anyone or anything to which or to whom the researcher owes a single word, a single element that deviates from the truth."
"Ang ganitong isip din, sa mga taong binahagian ng kaniyang mga ambag, ang sana’y bunga ng mga akda ng mananaliksik. (This same mindset, among the people to whom the researcher's contributions are shared, are hopefully also the result of the work shared by the researcher.).” he said.
The NRCP’s unveiling of sculpture will be held, a day before its Annual Scientific Conference and 88th General Membership Assembly.