The Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace

EDSA is one of the busiest highways in the Philippines, stretching 23.8 kilometers and crossing 6 different cities around Metro Manila. One of its intersections stands out among the rest, the EDSA-Ortigas. Why? Because, there stood the iconic statue of the Virgin Mary.

Why is it built in the first place?

The Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace was erected to serve as a remembrance to the peaceful revolution to oppose the dictatorship of the late President Ferdinand Marcos. It was conceived through the thoughts of His Eminence Jaime Cardinal Sin a couple of days after the dictator fled to Hawaii.

What are the purposes of the EDSA Shrine?

The main purpose of the EDSA shrine is to commemorate the four peaceful day of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution. It was then serves as the stage where our countrymen gathered to seek freedom from the corrupt government ran by President Joseph Ejercito-Estrada in 2001, thus, born the EDSA Dos. After another peaceful revolution won by our countrymen, the Shrine served as the place where Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo took oath as the 14^th President of the Republic of the Philippines replacing President Estrada.

Why does it stood at EDSA-Ortigas?

It was taught to Cardinal Sin that the intersection is where brave nuns, young men and women stood against tanks of the Army. They also offered soldiers flowers.

What is the catalyst that made Cardinal Sin thought of erecting the shrine?

Two billboards. Plain and simple. What made it amazing is the message in the billboards which reads, “The family that prays together, stays together.” and “A world at prayer is a world at peace.” and the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It can’t be denied to the mind of a priest that, that coincidence shows the presence of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the peaceful revolution.

How is it possible for the Catholic Church to have the Shrine erected on that spot?

It was His Eminence who approached the owner of the lot, the Ortigas and the Gokongwei to ask them to donate the lot to the Church.

Who designed the Shrine?

The shrine was primarily designed by Architect Francisco Manosa in collaboration with the National Artist Awardee Architect Leandro Locsin and Architect William Coscolluela.

What are the features of the Shrine?

Architect Francisco Manosa designed the Shrine to commemorate the joyous and successful eventsafter the 1986 EDSA Revolution. The shrine is facing the open streets of EDSA and Ortigas. On the top of the Shrine stood the 35 foot bronze and Brass statue of the Our Lady of Peace also known or most commonly known as the Our Lady of EDSA.

Who designed the sculpture atop the EDSA Shrine?

The sculpture was designed by the late Artist-sculptor Virginia Ty-Navarro. She completed the work of art reportedly in a span of one year and four months or sixteen months. It costs them twelve million pesos in the statue alone. The Statue originally featured “Asian eyes”. As I was researching through it, I found out that she refused to alter the eyes in request before she left the face of the Earth. It was reported that she said, “[It] apparently undergone enough of a face job to make her look, ‘more like a popular mestiza movie star’.” I found it under an article on the Philippine Daily Inquirer entitled “A tribute to EDSA virgin sculptress; dated February 25, 2001.

Are there any controversies that revolve around the structure?

Although it is quite positively receive by ordinary Filipinos a critic (Rodolfo Paraz-Perez) said that it is a breach of public trust and ecclesiastical norm was committed when she injected her personal iconography. The critic said that any artist could display his or her works on a gallery which is a part of self-expression. We can choose to see it; it’s freedom of choice. On his views, it’s a violation to the public’s freedom of choice. He also stated that the public has no choice but to put up with a public sculpture. The people’s consent according to him is best shown on its excellence and on the expected outcome. When these are not present, both our consent and contract between artist and audience is violated.

Other works of art present at the Shrine:

A sculpture made by Manny Casal called “Flame of Freedom” which showcases three men carrying a cauldron of flame on their shoulders which represents the three major islands of the Philippines: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. 14 Stations of the Cross can be found at the plaza sculpted in bronze by the National Artist Napoleon Abueva. The main altar was lit by the skylight which is diffused by a stained glass ceiling designed by Artist Eduardo Castrillo. A glass sculpture of the Risen Christ can be seen inside the main chapel and was created by Ramon Orlina. Murals of the four day peaceful revolution was also present by fifteen artists from Angono, Rizal led by Nemi Miranda. Ben Alano depicted a mural showcasing San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila’s life.

REACTION:

The unity of Filipinos is tried and tested by history. It always prevails. The shrine which was supposedly used only as a structure for commemorating the peaceful EDSA Revolution is a standing work of art from the ground through its apex. It was made possible through the divine guidance of our Lord and the efforts of the Filipino Catholic Church, the Architects’, the Sculptors’, and the Painters’. This is a proof that with combined efforts, not just a structure could be erected but also a standing work of Art. I believe that this entirely fits one of the purposes of Architecture as an Art and as a necessity. Although some might criticize it, the Marian faith of the Filipinos is strong that’s why it was well received by the public. Even though it stands side by side to different malls, monuments and recreational areas, it stands out because it is the symbol of our faith. It was a proof to the whole world that when Filipinos unite, we can achieve wonderful outcomes this resulted to the erection of this structure. Who would thought that Filipinos’ burning hunger for justice could result a work of art like no other.