Statue Spotting in Marikina

Despite the fact that Marikina City is literally just behind my college, I’ve never really explored the city. I can count the number of times I went there, and often it’s to work on some class projects at my classmate’s house or to go to the bazaar by the riverbanks (after graduation). Last Sunday, I joined a couple of friends for lunch in Marikina and saw the most WTF statue ever:

Marikina Statue
Is dat chu?

Can somebody enlighten me as to who the old man is, and what’s he doing with a boy squatting over the toilet?

This statue can be found behind the Marikina Public Market, along M. Cruz Sta. Elena street.

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Nina Fuentes

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11 responses to “Statue Spotting in Marikina”

  1. Dave -nibbleanibble Avatar
    Dave -nibbleanibble

    Uhh…that statue really begs a question (or two)? What? Why?

    Reply
  2. Michelle Avatar
    Michelle

    the old man is a doctor washing the boy’s poo… still, what was the sculptor thinking? and the mayor, too, for allowing this to be put up in a public area…

    and i also wonder what “Naghihin” etched on the stand means.

    Reply
  3. Anna Avatar
    Anna

    I thought it was an enema. XD

    Reply
  4. Jason Avatar
    Jason

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    I’d like to exchange links with you to help spread some traffic around between each other. Please let me know if this is possible. Until then, keep up the good work.

    Jason
    ThatVACATIONfeeling.com

    Reply
  5. fliptravels.com Avatar
    fliptravels.com

    Hi Nina,

    this statue also caught my attention when I was there.
    Not sure about this, but it seems like it’s in front of a health LGU and it depicts a doctor/med professional/researcher getting samples for fecalysis.

    OR maybe… it’s a clue or part of a Robert Langdon deciphering stint. hahaha

    Ron | fliptravels.com

    Reply
  6. almodhena Avatar
    almodhena

    hi dear, congratulations for your excellent blog. i would like to add it into my travel site. i know your blog would be of great interest to my visitors!. if you can, please contact to almodhena@gmail.com

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    Reply
  7. Matteo Avatar
    Matteo

    Disturbing. haha. but nice shot. thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  8. Marie Avatar
    Marie

    lol, thanks for sharing

    Reply
  9. albert Avatar
    albert

    Before there were lots of pedestals with inscriptions – “Naghihintay ng Bayani” in Marikina. This is one of them. maybe other syllables were plastered. The man was a doctor considered as a local Bayani in Marikina. During his time, he devoted his knowledge in eradicating the epidemic of diarrhea or a disease related to it and treated those who suffered for free. He lived somewhere in the area where the monument is located that’s why that spot served as a plaza in his honor.

    The sculpture lacks artistry and a sense of creativity though.

    Reply
  10. rogelio s. dela paz jr. Avatar
    rogelio s. dela paz jr.

    That monument depicts the likeness of Dr. Isaac Eustaquio, the first Filipino to earn a Public Health degree from Harvard University in the United States.
    According to Cong. Bayani Fernando, then MMDA Chairman and mayor of Marikina, the statue reminded the residents that the city was one of the cleanest in the country, where everyone values sanitation and personal hygiene.
    Fernando said the huge monument was built to celebrate the millennium and Marikina welcomed the year 2000 by unveiling the monument after the city achieved its goal of promoting health and sanitation through the realization of a one-toilet-per-household program.

    Reply
    1. Nina Fuentes Avatar
      Nina Fuentes

      Wow! Thanks for this detailed history!

      Reply

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