At the height of his power in the 1970’s former president/dictator of the Philippines Ferdinand E. Marcos commissioned the construction of a 99-foot concrete bust in own image, situated on a cliff overlooking the South China Sea around 130 km North of Manila. In 2002 it was torn apart in an explosion, the eyes, forehead and cheeks blown to bits- suspects included left-wing activists, members of a local tribe – or possibly looters hunting for one of Marcos’ legendary treasure troves.
The bust was completed in the early 1980s when Mr Marcos was still in power, but fell into disrepair after he was overthrown in a popular revolt in 1986. He died in exile three years later.
This is a real modern-era Ozymandias, the broken remnants of a statue to a powerful man who grabbed command by the throat and rode it until he was overthrown. In death, his statue becomes the victim.
Intact, before treasure-hunters blew it open looking for hidden war bonds and gold.
Like something out of a communist dream.
Back and side view with his eyes blasted out.
Clear contrast of how his dream fell apart.
In the years since the explosion, it has degraded even further.
Just a skeleton with no features, now.
RUINS / HAIKYO
You can see all MJG’s Ruins / Haikyo explorations here:
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