A proposal to bear a portrait of Cory Aquino on the P500 bill is being backed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the Philippine central bank. It currently carries the portrait of her husband the late Senator Ninoy Aquino Jr.
“The suggestion to include Cory Aquino’s portrait on the P500 bill was made to BSP Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. by former Energy Secretary Vince Perez… Tetangco told reporters that he had “asked the numismatic committee to consider the proposal to put up the portrait of former President Aquino on the P500 bill in designing our new-generation currency notes.””*
Since Tita Cory’s passing and even before the suggestion was formally made, there has been a design for the P500 bill making its presence known on the world wide web and by the looks of things, will possibly make its way into the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. The design is by Revo Cristostomo Naval.
Revo aka Revolution is a graduation student of De La Salle College of St Benilde in Multimedia Arts. He is also the art director for the youth independent magazine www.statusmagonline.com and a photographer. He launched www.peaceloveandrevolution.com the day after Tita Cory died, as a place where he could voice out to the world that the youth has a voice in this nation.
It is this same website where I saw his design for the P500 bill and I am so amazed at how this image has been rapidly circulated on the www, whether it is on Facebook, various blogs, Twitter, or mentions in Filipino news and as of today on the front page of the Inquirer. This design should be considered or made as the P500 bill.
I managed to catch up with the Revo last night, the artist behind the design and asked him why he did it.
LDN: What was the reason and inspiration for designing the new P500 bill with Cory besides Ninoy Aquino?
Revo: “My name is Revo Crisostomo Naval and I was born on April 14, 1987. My parents named me after the historical event Edsa People Power Revolution. And my main reason for designing this was to pay tribute to the person who made that historic event possible.
I just did the artwork. It was just me who came up with it, my heart told me to do it. Also, because the whole nation deserves it, kailangan ng buong pilipinas ng maraming limang daang piso!”
LDN: The BSP wants to push the proposal for the portrait of Cory Aquino on a P500 bill via the suggestion of Vince Perez. Will you or would you have any involvement in this?
Revo: “I want to design or work on it, I’m a graphic designer. I’ve been an art director for a youth independent magazine for almost a year. I can do it. We can do it. I will do everything for me to do it, even for free… I don’t mind. I have the burning heart to do it.”
Hopefully the BSP will continue to push forward the proposal. It also shows just how important the youth of the Filipino nation has been instrumental in getting this artwork noticed. If being noticed just for this design is already an honour, then what else can be achieved?
We should all be proud and support it!
Cory has definitely left her mark on the Filipino Youth and imprinted a legacy for a freedom of speech and creativity… This is only the beginning for the next generation’s revolutionaries.
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LINKS:
Revo’s Website ~ Peace, Love and Revolution
http://www.peaceloveandrevolution
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* http://coryaquino.inquirer.net/view.php?db=1&article=20090807-219114
Posted on 7 August 2009 by Lani in Culture, Current Affairs, Politics
Tagged 500, bill, bsp, cory aquino, limang peso, ninoy aquino, revo naval, revolution
MARAMING SALAMAT! THANK YOU SO MUCH! =]
Rev is awesome
For the Filipino youth!
That’s an awesome reason behind his name, sometimes Pinoys can go too far but imagine being named after the People Power Revolution??? Beyond cool.
She should absolutely be placed on the bill. She’s not only a national hero but actually someone that all Filipinos know, try and ask a Filipino youth who Roxas is and they’d have no clue but they all know Aquino.
I totally back this… Cory is a National Hero. She wholeheartedly believed in the Philippines and the Filipino. She deserves this.
Thanks Rev for setting the idea in motion… I’ll be seeing you for a signed P500 once it gets produced
This is a very good idea, but the thing is I’d really love to see Cory Aquino on her own bill alone. She made herself a name for herself on her own. If you watch TV she says, “First I was recognized as Ninoy’s wife, now I’m know as Kris’ mom.” In other words, she’d like to be recognized as her own person. Enough of women being behind men! Women empowerment!!!! But good job though, congratulations.
Yay Mabuhay ang mga Pilipino kahit saan man sa mundo! =]
I agree with this movement. I want a P500 with Tita Cory and Ninoy. I look forward to when it will be produced! Ate Lan sort me out with a signed one too!!