A Lover’s Duyan

To honor the legacy of National Artist for Sculpture Napoleon Abueva, the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) unveiled one of his masterpieces called A Lover’s Duyan at the lobby of the college’s School of Design and Arts (SDA) campus. Abueva, who at age 46, was the youngest to be conferred such a distinction, was lauded for his skill in sculpture. Known as the “Father of modern Philippine sculpture,” he veered away from classicism and ventured into modernism and was renowned for his unprecedented mastery on experimenting various styles and materials for his craft. Abueva taught Model Construction under the College’s Industrial Design Program in academic year 2007-2008, and was the first and only National Artist who has imparted his knowledge with the students of the DLS-CSB. In 2008, he personally chose A Lover’s Duyan as a memento, and gifted it to the college. Recently, Joseph Rastrullo, one of Abueva’s former students, restored the sculpture.

Present in the intimate gathering were the National Artist’s widow Dr. Sergia Abueva, accompanied by daughter Amihan

Abueva-Lanoy, and other members of the family. Sergia recalled the memories of her husband scouring junk shops for materials for this piece in particular.

On her father, Amihan said, “He had a very generous spirit and I think that is something he would like more artists to do — to love our country even more and be generous in bestowing your talent and experiences. I think it is timely for us especially for the students to know that to be a good artist you have to be involved in your nation.”

Center for Campus Art director architect Gerry Torres, who was then the dean when the Napoleon Abueva applied as a Benilde professor, recalled, “He was soft-spoken, mild-mannered, and despite of his stature, very humble. I remember him dutifully sketching the map to his house, which was then a requirement for acceptance to the faculty roster. This humility is what impressed me the most.”

A Lover’s Duyan is permanently installed and can be viewed at the lobby of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Design and Arts campus, 950 Pablo Ocampo Street, Malate, Manila.

(From left) Jimmy, Isabellio and Amihan Lanoy, De La SalleCollege of Saint Benilde president Bro. Dennis Magbanua, FSC, Center for Campus Art director architect Gerry Torres and Dr. Sergia Abueva.

National Artist Napoleon Abueva’s sculpture A Lover’s Duyan on display at the lobby of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde’s School of Design and Arts.

(From left) Dr. Sergia Abueva, Amihan Abueva-Lanoy, Isabellio Lanoy and architect Gerry Torres.

Architect Gerry Torres and Dr. Sergia Abueva with Benilde Industrial Design alumnus and Abueva’s former student Joseph Rastrullo, who restored A Lover’s Duyan.