Gifting ‘Flight’ to Singapore Embassy in the Phl

Singapore Airlines (SIA) has presented Filipino artist Impy Pilapil’s original sculpture Flight to the Embassy of the Republic of Singapore in Manila, marking the airline’s 60th anniversary of operations in the Philippines.

Pilapil led the turnover ceremony at the Singapore Embassy in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, attended by Singapore Ambassador to the Philippines Constance See and Singapore Airlines Philippines general manager Liwei Tai. Flight joins three other original works by Pilapil already on display at the embassy.

SIA commissioned Pilapil to create Flight in 2015. The sculpture, which evokes the experience of flying with the airline, also reflects SIA’s long-standing collaboration with Filipino artists in Manila.

The work was originally installed at SIA’s SilverKris Lounge at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3. For more than a decade, it served as a distinctive feature of the lounge, offering guests a familiar piece of home before their journeys.

For the airline, it was important to find an appropriate new home for Flight after its years at the SilverKris Lounge.

“Art has always served as an important instrument in bridging countries and cultures,” 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.”

When the Singapore Embassy building opened in Manila in 2008,

three of Pilapil’s sculptures found a home there, reflecting the strong ties and cultural connections between the two countries.

An award-winning Filipino visual artist, Pilapil works with stone, glass, steel, wood and paper to explore themes of nature, harmony, tranquillity and community. Her works have been exhibited in the Philippines, Singapore, Japan, Australia, Italy and the United States.

Pilapil expressed happiness at seeing four of her works reunited at the Singapore Embassy.

“Reuniting Flight with its companion pieces feels like bringing back a missing dynamic element into a single, cohesive dialogue,” she 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.”

She added: “I’m very happy and feel blessed to have my [four] 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.”

“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.

See said the display of Filipino artworks reflected the embassy’s commitment to building bridges between countries and cultures.

“Singapore Airlines’ 60 years of operations in the Philippines speaks to the strength and longevity of the ties between Singapore and the Philippines,” she 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.”