Honoring, remembering national artist Napoleon Abueva of Bohol

Bohol 1st Dist. Rep. Rene Relampagos filed a resolution in the House of Representatives last week to honor the legacy of one of the province’s most illustrious sons, the late National Artist for Sculpture Napoleon Abueva.

The provincial government also conferred a posthumous Outstanding Boholano award to Abueva last week .

The award was received by the family of the late National Artist from Gov. Edgar Chatto.

"Bohol is proud of you Nong Billy. You continue to inspire our youth," Chatto said.

‘A great man’ Relampagos said the resolution is ‘a very simple expression of appreciation to the great man that he was.’

In a statement, Relampagos recounted his friendship with the National Artist.

He also narrated the vast contributions of Abueva not just in the Boholano art scene, but the country's as well.

Father of Modern Philippine Sculpture Abueva, 88, succumbed to a lingering illness last Friday and has been known as the Father of Modern Philippine Sculpture.

He was the youngest Filipino to be named National Artist at 46.

Abueva, from the town of Duero, shaped the local sculpture scene to what it is today.

His art embodied is genius in using a myriad of materials.

The National Artist's works are now featured in many museums around the world.

The Blood Compact Shrine in Barangay Bool in Tagbilaran City is one of Abueva’s renowned works.

The shrine depicted the Treaty of Friendship between Rajah Sikatuna and Spaniard Miguel Lopez de Legazpi.

Abueva was laid to rest yesterday.