By Ben R. Rosario
House Senior Minority Leader and Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza yesterday called on Manila Mayor Joseph E. Estrada to demand the immediate return to the Manila City Hall of the National Artist Carlos “Botong” Francisco mural which is considered as a national treasure.
Brought down in 2013 from the Bulwagang Antonio Villegas at the Manila City Hall for a restoration by the National Museum, the priceless mural has finally been completely restored, officials of the museum have disclosed.
Atienza said that with the NM’s own admission that the art work is fully restored, it must now be returned to its rightful place at the Manila City Hall.
The former Manila Mayor said the 10-panel mural painted by Francisco in 1964 and entitled “Filipinos Struggles through History” was “conceived and conceptualized” by the late Mayor Antonio J. Villegas.
“This grand mural depicts Manila’s history and its important role in our nation’s development. No one has the right to loan it or lend it to anybody. It must be returned to its original place in the Bulwagan in deference to the Mayor who, in his patriotic and cultural vision, had it made,” Atienza said.
He chided incumbent city officials for failing to insist on the return of the mural.
The NM was placed in charge of the mural’s restoration after it showed signs of deterioration and slightly damaged by leaks from a defective water pipe in 2013.
The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, then headed by General Manager Mark Lapid, financed the restoration work with a P20-million fund coursed through the city government.