“Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” – John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address inspired a lot of people to see the importance of public service and civic action. While he did this to inspire American people, his words reverberated across the world and has since been quoted countless times.
It seems that his words inspired the young students from different schools to help each other in making Manila beautiful!
Last November, students from various educational institutions, including the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Philippine Normal University, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, De La Salle University, University of Santo Tomas, Adamson University, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, and the Universidad de Manila painted tropical prints on the support beams of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 from Taft Avenue to Arroceros.
Using materials sponsored by Davies Paint, the students and several artists spearheaded by the Angkla Art Gallery painted the LRT posts at no cost to the government.
“[Isa ito sa] mga project na walang gastos ang city government, sa tulong ng mga private sector,” said chief Charlie Duñgo of the Manila Tourism and Cultural Affairs Bureau (MTCAB).
Responding to suggestions that this should have been a vertical garden instead of just green murals, Duñgo explained that such a project is expensive. However, Manila Mayor Francisco “Yorme Isko” Domagoso actually has the project lined up but it is still under way.
“‘Yung pangarap natin na vertical garden, hindi pa kaya sa ngayon dahil mahal siya, kaya nag-isip kami kung paano makakatulong para mapaganda, naisip namin magkaroon ng mural,” added Duñgo.
The students who helped paint the LRT posts drew praise from netizens, with many saying that it is great for the youth to help out in making their city beautiful. Other netizens also admired the tropical prints, saying that the vertical garden would need a lot of money to make and keep green while the painted art will last a longer time without much maintenance.
