Magwayen : Agnes Arellano

Title: Study for the Figurehead of the Galleon Angel de la Guardia (a.k.a. Magwayen)
Medium: cold cast bronze, mulawin from old shipwreck
Dimensions: 7 ft x 14.2 ft
Year: 2024

She has a human upper body, a serpent lower torso and the wings of a bird. There is a cross cultural element expressed in the combining of the feathered serpent of the Aztec and the sea goddess myths of the Visayans.

The figurehead is traditionally what identifies the ship, carries its spirit, and serves as its face as it ploughs through the waters. Historically figureheads have served to ward off danger and protect the vessel, like a talisman. Ancient seafaring civilizations devised symbols- the Egyptians mounting birds for vision, Phoenicians horses' heads for swiftness, and so on- historically embodying religion, symbolism and superstition.

Although sailors superstitiously viewed women on board as unlucky, they believed that a semi-naked sculpted female form at the prow would suffice to appease the sea gods and ward off storms.

In 1618, the galleon Angel de la Guardia was constructed in Pasacao, Cam Sur, Bicol, using up 2000 trees, 12000 workers, and ropes made from abaca hemp which grew abundantly in Bicol. Our study depicts this galleon's figurehead as the angel herself, a windswept half-naked goddess with wings safely tucked at her back, sharp eyes that can lead the ship to its destination, dragonlike scales for protection, and a serpent's tail for swiftness. We have appropriated the myth of Magwayen, the sea god/goddess that evolved from the trade and migration between the Tagalogs and Visayans with their animist beliefs later adapted to Catholic beliefs of the Virgin Mary.

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Dasal Kay Magwayen

(Pagkatápos ni Agnes Arellano)

Magwayen, diwa at diwata ng aming dagat,
Pagpalain mo kami.
Tulad noong pinatnubayan mo
Ang sampung balangay
Para makatagpo ng kalayàan sa aming kapulûan.
Tulad noong kinakalingà mo
Ang mga lunday at paraw laban sa sigwá at daluyong
At binubusog mo
Ang mga lambat, baklad, at salambaw
Sa masaganang biyaya ng iyong kaharian.

Magwayen, anghel de la guwardiya,
Iniligtas mo kami sa dilim, panganib, at pirata,
Itinulot mong dalhin kami ng simoy
Sa mga wastong pantalan ng komersiyo
At huwag maligáw sa mga pook ng uliuli't bagyo.
Itinulot mong ang aming galeon at barko
Ay makabalik sa pampanging tinubùan;
Kahit ang kaluluwa nami'y nabinyagan,
Tulad mo, ng mga kolonyal na pangalan.

(continued in next slide...)

Magwayen installed at Pinto Art Museum as part of the group show, 'Buenviaje: Manila-Acapulco-Manila', in June 2024

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Magwayen, O, Birhen de la Buen Viaje!
Bakit nakahimpil ka ngayong tahimik sa altar
Samantálang ang paborito mong antipolo’y
Napalitan ng mga plastik na pinggan at anino?
Bakit ang mga peregrinong lumuluhod
Sa dambana mo’y ignorante sa oras ng taog?
Paano mo babasbasan
Ang prusisyong La Naval
Na umiikot lang sa lungsod ng poste’t busina?
Para kang si Calypso, naging modernong orkidya.

Magwayen, Diwata ng sinaunang dagat,
Bumalik kang duong muli sa aming sasakyan:
Maalindog at makapangyarihan;
May matá ng lawin, bagwis ng pagala,
Buntot ng serpiyente't bakunawa.
Ang dagat mo'y dagat natin.
Ang alon ng dagat mo'y alon ng dagat natin.
Bumalik ka't bantayan mo sána
Ang ating bakawan at bangkota
Laban sa dayuhang mangangamkam.
Pagpalain ang ating pangisdaan;
Iligtas sa pandarambong ng mga ganid,
At pagwasak ng mga banyagang singkit.
Magwayen, Magwayen!
Bigyan mo kami ng lakas-ng-loob at katwiran
Upang ipagtanggol ang mga isla ng korales at buhangin
Sapagkat atin ito, ito'y atin.

Rio Alma
17 Mayo 2024

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Study for the Figurehead of the Galleon Angel de la Guardia

a.k.a. Magwayen

Dasal Kay Magwayen