Kapit-bisig para sa Kalayaan at Kinabukasan: A Historical and Sociological Critique of Juanito Torres' Gathering of Heroes
deskvalor
Mar 26
5 min read
By: Jessica Kayla Jaime
Introduction
Gathering of Heroes by Juanito Torres was created in the year of 2017. The artwork is a powerful piece of modern art that puts together important people from Philippine history, which symbolizes unity and the ongoing fight for freedom. Torres is known for making paintings that are both realistic and symbolic. His allegorical and historical artworks employ past events as an inspiration in his painting to extract the truths from the constructed "histories" that are taught in school (Osental, 2025). In the painting, Torres illustrates how Filipinos were able to make an effort to sacrifice in hopes of securing a better future for the country.
The artwork holds significant cultural and historical relevance, particularly in the context of the Philippines’ ongoing efforts to preserve its democratic rights and national identity. With the rise of sociopolitical issues that are challenging the nation’s integrity, the painting serves as a powerful reminder of the freedom that our national heroes worked so hard to attain and protect. The paper will apply a historical and sociological approach to evaluate the work’s main ideas, style choices, and technical elements.
Body
The painting shows a parade of famous Filipino heroes, spanning from the Spanish Colonial Era and the Philippine Revolution. Prominent figures such as Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Aguinaldo, Emilio Jacinto, and Jose Rizal are among the well-known individuals who are featured in the artwork, all of whom fought against the oppression of Filipinos. The painting depicts the presence of both ordinary Filipinos and national heroes, illustrating their shared role in the country’s history.
There is a strong emphasis placed on the themes of nationalism, sacrifices, and unity, with the Philippine flag being used as a symbol of union. The painting utilized the entirety of the space, resulting in some disorganization. However, it remains easy for the eyes to take in and comprehend. The artist used bright hues, with colors such as red, brown, blue, and white being used to enhance the painting’s mood. The Filipinos in Torres’ piece are wearing traditional Filipino clothing, such as barong at saya. The majority of the Filipinos in the painting are looking forward, appearing to move in the same direction.
The manner or technique the artist employed in the brushwork and blending in this piece appears to be smooth, taking into account the fact that the faces of the individuals present are accentuated or highlighted, and the colors are distinguishable and vivid.
Critical Analysis
Torres was able to use strong, vibrant colors and a balanced composition that captured the viewer’s attention. The predominant warm tones used in the painting create an appealing atmosphere, displaying a sense of connection, while the strategic use of the Philippine flag’s colors such as: (1) red for courage, bravery, heroism, and willingness to shed blood in fighting for the Country; (2) white for purity and peace; and (3) blue for high political purpose indicates patriotism (Embassy of the Philippines in Kuwait, n.d.).
Torres’ piece effectively exhibited strong realism combined with stylized features that make them more captivating, idealizing their heroism. Many of the painted individuals carrying the national flag is one distinct feature in the painting, symbolizing that even though these heroes are no longer present in today’s time, the legacy they carry and the sacrifices they made for the freedom of the country and justice are still evident. Moreover, the notable Jose Rizal envisioned a unified Filipino identity, and the concept still remains relevant today. His writings inspired a sense of national consciousness and urged us to honor our unique cultural heritage while acknowledging the ties that unite us together (FWD Life Philippines, 2023). The actions of these heroes are what form the foundation as to why the Filipinos are still fighting and seeking a better future. Their embodiment of values of courage and selflessness in fighting for the country continues to be an inspiration for the progress of Filipinos and building a strong nation. Honoring national heroes is an important opportunity to commemorate history, heritage, values as a society, and culture (Department of Culture, 2025).
Torres’ portrayal of the national heroes highlights their unyielding unity and shared sacrifices to symbolize the strength that can be found in solidarity, which serves as a reminder that the fight for Filipino independence was not an effort of a sole person, however, it was an accomplishment made by a group of people.
On the other hand, the idealized representation poses a risk because it introduces a singular view as to what is defined as a “hero.” Romanticizing history usually leads to the neglect of the negative aspects, which may be oppression and injustice. Additionally, it may create a distorted understanding of history, which fails to reflect the adversities that were encountered by the people of the nation. Excessive romanticization of the past may lead to an oversimplified, nearly fictitious portrayal, thus rendering the present somewhat apocalyptic (Creative Tributaries, 2021). By focusing solely on the positive aspects, the artist risks ignoring the challenges and struggles that led to the progression of our nation. Overlooking the hardships the country faced can hinder our capability to address similar issues in today’s time. National heroes serve as a reminder that heroism is not restricted to grand gestures or acts of bravery in the presence of peril (Romualdez, 2024), but they can also be silent yet impactful acts of service that elevate others and contribute to the common good.
From a sociological perspective, Torres’ painting resonates with the Filipino concept of bayanihan, which is about a community’s unity. Bayanihan is a result of a team effort to provide support to individuals and communities in need without the expectation of reciprocation (Menguin, 2024). The blending of ordinary Filipinos with renowned heroes tells us that every Filipino, regardless of their status, was able to play a role in shaping where we are right now.
Conclusion
Gathering of Heroes by Juanito Torres is a powerful visual narrative made to capture the enduring spirit of the Filipino people’s fight for freedom. Juanito Torres was able to represent the values of national heroes or even ordinary Filipinos despite their struggles to fight for the betterment of the country. The artwork encourages patriotism and reflection so that when sociopolitical issues may arise, Filipinos are inspired to call for unity, or the bayanihan. Torres’ piece stands both as a celebration and a challenge, which urges Filipinos to remember the hard-fought past that our ancestors were able to attain for the Filipinos while also considering the future of the Philippines that awaits.
Reference List
Creative Tributaries. (2021, March 5). The Pros and Cons of Romanticising the Past. Creative
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