IN PHOTOS: 500 years giant solar art lights up 100 days countdown to Victory at Mactan

Liter of Light hand-built the large-scale quincentennial commemorations logo at the Luneta Park in Manila. Drone shots by Paulo Sarayba. Additional ground photos by Paulo Sarayba and Liter of Light. Photo captions by Illac Diaz, Liter of Light.

The Quincentennial Commemorations of the Philippines’ 500 years logo was rendered as a giant solar art installation at the Luneta Park in Manila and lit up to signal the 100 days countdown to Lapu Lapu’s Victory at Mactan on April 27, 2021.

The quincentennial solar logo was revealed on January 17, 2021, as the Philippines launched the countdown to the 500th anniversary of Filipino heroism when the Magellan-Elcano expedition arrived in Cebu in 1521.

The Liter of Light global solar lighting movement hand-built the 500 years logo using 3,000 solar lamps created by volunteer solar engineers during the Asia Pacific Social Innovation (Taiwan) and Startup Energy Transition (Germany)-awarded Light it Forward Challenge campaign.

The event also launched the participation of 500 key officials in the Light it Forward movement to provide environmentally-friendly solar lamps to communities still without electricity.

The new large-scale solar artwork is the fourth installation following the three previous tributes to honor Filipino heroes battling the Covid-19 pandemic around the world. Liter of Light created the largest solar Philippine flag on Andres Bonifacio Day, November 30, 2020, the iconic image of Jose Rizal on December 30, and the largest solar rosary in the world on January 6.

Light it Forward challenged people at home while in quarantine to hand-build solar lamps for donation to communities without electricity.
“We create the largest solar commemorative logo to honor the victory and humanity of our ancestors” – Illac Diaz, Liter of Light global founder
“Throughout 2021, we will maximize the 500 years celebrations to inspire our new generation of heroes and defenders of our planet, through solar activities and installations done in partnership with the National Quincentennial Committee.”
“As we look at the challenges for the next 500 years, we have engaged thousands of youth to not only look upon this event but be part of it. To be the leaders that we need to create the future we want.”
“We can show climate leadership as Lapu Lapu has shown us the warrior spirit, we can fight for our climate. We can come together and show the world on this special day that we, too, can be heroes that the world can look upon to be heroes of climate change.”
“Thank you for helping us to Light It Forward. Thank you for joining us in remembering our heroes, and inspiring the next generation of heroes.”
“We should remember and celebrate our heroism and heritage before the arrival of the Spanish vessels in the Philippines.”
“Like the founders of the Filipino nation, we, the Filipinos of today, acknowledge its symbolism as the light that illuminates our path to be free, sovereign, and victorious always.”
“Lapulapu and Mactan are our common heritage as a Filipino.”
“Let that spirit of valor transcend in our times, as we face new challenges: rising sea temperatures, more extreme weather conditions, and global health pandemics. Together with the rest of the world, our time requires us, Filipinos, to stand up and take our part in protecting our home planet.”

Check out the January 2021 Calendar for the Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines.

The group is raising funds for 4,000 solar lights to create the Filipino Warrior giant artwork for April 27. You can be part of the movement by building your own solar light at home and donate it to a village through the Liter of Light. You can find the solar lamp kit on Lazada.

To learn more about the Liter of Light and its Light It Forward campaign: visit the Light it Forward website here, and the Liter of Light InstagramFacebook, and YouTube.

This story first appeared on GoodNewsPilipinas.com

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here