The Oragon Monument
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Inscription inside the Naga City Hall |
Oragon is a Bicolano word that means many things such as 'resilient', 'courageous' ,'tough', 'self-reliant', and 'does not easily give up'. This word best describes the Bicolano people.
As stated in the inscription of the monument (to view the pictures, click this):
“ORAGON” is a two-part visual display that captures the heroism of Nagueños by portraying two forms of bravery, with a central tapestry dividing the two narratives.
“BRAVERY IN PEACE” depicts Naga’s native ruler and warrior in full battle regalia, standing valiantly to face rather than run away from Spanish forces, a powerful reminder that Nagueños are gifted with courage and strength to face any challenge in life. Beside him sits Babaylan, a priestess signifying the esteemed position of women. A native boy symbolizes simplicity and trust in him. The adolescent boy, pointing to the ruler, portrays reverence and obedience to their leaders.
“BRAVERY IN PEACE” depicts Naga’s native ruler and warrior in full battle regalia, standing valiantly to face rather than run away from Spanish forces, a powerful reminder that Nagueños are gifted with courage and strength to face any challenge in life. Beside him sits Babaylan, a priestess signifying the esteemed position of women. A native boy symbolizes simplicity and trust in him. The adolescent boy, pointing to the ruler, portrays reverence and obedience to their leaders.
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Inscription at the monument - Bicolano version |
Facing them is the Spanish conquistador Captain Juan de Salcedo who brings with him two instruments of colonization: the use of force symbolized by the Spanish soldier, and the evangelization of Catholic faith by the Spanish missionary. The ancient Nagueños welcomed the latter and resisted the former, a testimony to their wisdom and capacity to withstand threats and welcome goodness.
“BRAVERY IN TIMES OF WAR” portrays the Nagueños indomitable courage to fight for freedom, exemplified by figures of two prominent revolutionaries’ Corporal Elias Angeles and Felix Plazo. On the third night of the Peñafrancia triduum on September 18, 1898, they mounted on a surprise attack on the Spanish government forcing the governor and the Castillan Community to seek refuge in Church premises and eventually capitulate to the triumphant native forces the next day.
“BRAVERY IN LIFE” is depicted by the tapestry at the center of the monument: a powerful symbol of the Nagueños’ courage to measure all experiences-good or bad, happy or sad, up or down-and see them as a singular reality called life. It is also an invitation to realize that in spite of diversity, they remain united as one because of shared history and a common vision.
It is the city’s newest landmark whose monument was commissioned by the city government under Mayor Jesse M. Robredo as part of the city’s cultural renewal program. The monument was crafted by Jose Barcena Jr., the grandson of Federico Barcena, the artist behind the Plaza Quince Martires monument.
It is located in front of the Naga City Public Market at Barangay Igualdad, Naga City.
The Artist behind the crafting of the Oragon Monument
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Left(Ex-Mayor Jesse Robredo) Right(Jose Barcena, Jr.) |
Jose Barcena Jr. is the grandson of Frederico Barcena, the artist behind the great Quince Martires. He was assigned to craft the monument because of the resolution given by the city government. According to him, the monument itself took four million pesos in almost 3 months in the making, and unending effort from the sculptors of Mr. Barcena Jr.
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| Juan de Salcedo |
Juan de Salcedo
Juan de Salcedo is a Spanish Conquistador. He was born in the year 1549 in Mexico and the grandson of Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and brother to Felipe de Salcedo.
He was the first European to arrive in Naga City in 1573. He discovered the Naga City, which was named from the word Narra because of its abundance of Narra trees.
