A group of local artists, sculptors and photographers known as Bahaghari ng Malolos has called for support and respect in relation to the “embarrassment” caused to the family by the monument of General Isidoro Torres in front of Malolos City Hall.
The family of the Bulacan Katipunero hero claimed that the sculpture didn’t look like or not even a resemblance of General Torres.
Members of the Bahaghari ng Malolos led by its president Marlon Tantoco called on Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando of his support with local government units (LGUs) to prioritize them in commissioning in this kind of project.
According to Roen Capule, sculptor who made Aliw Awards trophy and who also made the monument of General Gregorio Del Pilar in Carmino Real, San Jose, Bulakan, Bulacan, this incident could have been avoided if only the attention and appropriated coordination were given to concerned parties.
Even the Bulacan artists were disappointed with the outcome of the statue because apart from the fact that it is not in proportion, they actually say that the statue looks bad.
The said organization also wants Fernando to support them to have a resolution so that they will be the priority to take the commission in case the LGUs have such a project.
According to Toppie Torres, descendant and spokesperson of the Torres family, they are grateful for the city government’s initiative in recognizing their grandfather heroic act during revolution but despite this they expressed sadness, hatred and anger at the outcome of the image.
“Hindi iyon ang lolo namin, ginawa nilang boksingero at mukhang unggoy,” the family said.
According to Torres, the incident could have been avoided if his request was granted offering the city government that they, the family, would make the statue and at their own expense, the materials to be used and the image they wanted to be.
“If anyone had been commissioned on the project, he would have at least consulted or coordinated with them, which was the request of the family before even planning the said project,” said Torres.
Bahaghari of Malolos and the Torres family want to have an investigation in the bidding process of the said project.