Photo depicts a stone relief of Lapu-lapu, leader of the first armed resistance against foreign invaders, year 1521, Mactan, Cebu (central part of the Philippines)– his group of fighters warded off the first attempt at landing by the Spanish conquistadores, killing the fabled Ferdinand Magellan during the skirmish.

      Artist not indicated. This stone relief is found at the portal of the University of the Philippines, on University Avenue — it’s more popularly called batong moog (fortress of rock) or bahay na bato (house made of rock). The land architects of U.P. were probably making a statement by placing him at the portal. At the opposite end of the campus, a straight line from the University Avenue going east, you’ll find a larger-than-life monument of Andres Bonifacio, bolo drawn, facing the University academic oval. Then, perpendicular to the University Avenue nearer the Oblation, Emilio Jacinto Road leads to the northside of the campus… Northside of the campus at the back of Lapulapu, stands Plaridel Hall, and inside you’ll find a stone bust of Marcelo H. del Pilar watching over  the mass com lobby. On the south side of the academic oval, in front of the museum stands a battle-clad Rajah Sulayman, a few steps from that, inside Rizal Hall, a portrait of a smiling Jose Rizal. This is part of freedomland and you can see we’re prepared to defend every inch of it. Happy Independence Day!