February 18, 2025 – Island Garden City of Samal
With the sea breeze as a witness and the island’s natural rhythm as a backdrop, Samal Shores Residenza officially unveiled its landmark Entry Statement Sculpture, titled Language of Water, on February 18, 2025.
The unveiling was more than just a ceremony—it was a full sensory experience that brought together art, movement, and meaning. Created by acclaimed Filipino artist Jinggoy Buensuceso, Language of Water stands as a symbolic gateway to the township. The sculpture’s flowing form and raw textures mirror the ever-shifting movement of water—an element that speaks of rhythm, transformation, and resilience. These same qualities are deeply rooted in the soul of Samal Island, a place where nature, community, and creativity intersect.
More than a visual landmark, the sculpture is an invitation to slow down, reflect, and reconnect—with the land, with others, and with oneself. Its design draws inspiration not only from the waves that embrace the island, but also from memories of play, freedom, and imagination.
Guests were invited into this poetic narrative through an original spoken word piece written and delivered by Buensuceso himself. His poem gave voice to the sculpture—echoing its themes of flow, connection, and quiet strength. As his words gently receded, the space transformed into movement through a stirring interpretive performance by Ea Torrado, one of the country’s most celebrated dancers and choreographers. Torrado’s performance was visceral and fluid, echoing the tides and terrain of Samal, as if she were channeling the spirit of water itself—graceful, powerful, and uncontained.
In a moving gesture that blended art with participation, Buensuceso and Torrado invited guests to release their paper boats into the water surrounding the sculpture. This shared act—simple yet deeply symbolic—served as a metaphor for letting go, setting intentions, and being part of a larger journey. Watching the bangkang papel float gently across the water added a layer of intimacy and quiet power to the experience.
The ceremony beautifully captured the core vision of Samal Shores Residenza: a modern tropical community grounded in nature, rich in local identity, and elevated by thoughtful design. Here, art is not an afterthought, but a foundational thread woven into the township’s very fabric—sparking dialogue, evoking memory, and giving life to space.
As the sun set over the island, casting golden light on the sculpture’s curves, the event transitioned into an intimate gathering. It was a fitting close to an evening that celebrated not just a structure, but a story—one that continues to unfold on the shores of Samal.
