Singapore Airlines has gifted the original sculpture “Flight” to the Embassy of the Republic of Singapore in Manila. The gift marks the airline’s 60th anniversary of operations in the Philippines.
Impy Pilapil, a renowned Filipino artist, created the sculpture. She led the turnover ceremony at the Singapore Embassy in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
Singapore Ambassador to the Philippines Constance See and Singapore Airlines Philippines General Manager Liwei Tai attended the event. The sculpture now joins three other original works by Pilapil at the embassy.
Singapore Airlines commissioned the artwork in 2015. The piece depicts the experience of flying with the airline. It also reflects the carrier’s long-standing collaboration with Filipino artists in Manila.
The sculpture originally stood in the SilverKris Lounge at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3. It served as a familiar piece of home for guests before their journeys. The airline wanted to find an appropriate new home for the piece after a decade of service in the lounge.
“Art has always served as an important instrument in bridging countries and cultures,” Liwei Tai said. “As we celebrate 60 years of Singapore Airlines in the Philippines and counting, we hope that Flight will carry on its legacy as an important symbol of continued bilateral ties between Singapore and the Philippines.”
Pilapil’s other sculptures, titled “Silent Wave,” “Quest,” and “Blooms,” are now reunited with “Flight” at the embassy. Three of her sculptures first found a home at the embassy when the building opened in 2008. Those pieces reflect the strong cultural connections between Singapore and the Philippines.
Pilapil is an award-winning visual artist in the Philippines. She works with stone, glass, steel, wood, and paper. Her creations convey themes of nature, harmony, tranquility, and community. Her artworks have appeared in the Philippines, Singapore, Japan, Australia, Italy, and the United States.
The artist expressed happiness at seeing four of her works together again.
“Reuniting Flight with its companion pieces feels like bringing back a missing dynamic element into a single, cohesive dialogue,” Pilapil said. “Art, much like flight itself, is about movement, connection, and transcending physical boundaries. Seeing all four works together at the Embassy creates a complete narrative of harmony and shared identity between cultures. I’m very happy and feel blessed to have my sculptures here at the Singapore Embassy. In the Philippines, everyone who knows me is aware that for decades now, I’m the biggest fan of Lee Kuan Yew and his son, and I have the greatest respect for Singapore and its people.”
She added thoughts on her creations.
“Every artist wishes to have a good home for their work, and then it becomes a gift when the ‘home’ is occupied by good people,” Pilapil said.
Ambassador See noted that hosting Filipino artworks reflects the embassy’s commitment to connecting nations.
“Singapore Airlines’ 60 years of operations in the Philippines speaks to the strength and longevity of the ties between Singapore and the Philippines,” Ambassador See said. “For six decades, SIA has helped connect our people, businesses and economies, bringing our two countries closer together. As a lover of Filipino design and creativity, I am especially delighted that this milestone also celebrates Filipino art. We are so happy to give Flight a new home at the Singapore Embassy, and to continue supporting and showcasing the creativity of Filipino artists.”