RACHY CUNA’S GIFT TO THE WORLD’S COVID FRONTLINERS
To honor our present-day heroes and commemorate their valiant, priceless efforts, the renowned floral artist breathed new life into his decades-old masterpiece
Through the years, we have marveled at Rachy Cuna’s visionary creations and elaborate decorations, admired his unique gift wraps and one-of-a-kind Christmas trees. We have enjoyed his educational, self-authored books on artistic and design undertakings.
How can we forget the transformation he did at the Quirino Grandstand, venue for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist by Pope Francis?
Rachy played with several varieties of San Francisco — an ode to St. Francis of Assisi, whom the pontiff named himself after. With not a single flower on sight, Rachy mystically elevated the nondescript plant, popular in Philippine households, into sought-after ornaments, worthy of His Holiness.
All these and more were due to the rich imagination and magical hands of the artist-in-all-aspects Rachy.
To add to his long list of achievements, Rachy is a sculptor, too. And this, I certainly did not know until today.
Though commonly known as the Floral Architect of the Philippines — arguably an overused term now, Rachy likewise serves as the style director of Manila Hotel.
As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to hold the entire world captive, front-liners — be it medical or otherwise — play an essential role in the recovery of the earth’s population, to deliver aid to whoever, whenever and wherever it matters most.
Steel installation
To honor our present-day heroes and to commemorate their valiant, priceless efforts, Rachy breathed new life into his decades-old masterpiece, as he recently unveiled the Alay sa mga Tagapaghatid ng Pangunahing Tulong sa Buong Daigdig (Tribute to the Front-liners of the World) at the National Planetarium, under the auspices of the National Museum of the Philippines.
The 192-cm-tall, red-orange steel installation depicts life-sized sculptures of humans in a single line, with outstretched arms — almost holding hands, but perhaps socially distanced.
Its location is the ideal venue, as it graces the grounds of Rizal Park by Padre Burgos Avenue in Manila, a busy thoroughfare in the Philippine capital.
“Now, more than ever, we must give inspiration and bring positivity in the middle of these challenging times,” Rachy said, highlighting the message of peace and solidarity in pandemic times.
This 192-cm-tall, red-orange steel installation depicts life-sized sculptures of humans in a single line, with outstretched arms — almost holding hands, but perhaps socially distanced.