Sculpture I. Introduction
The idea for the Oblation (University of the Philippines) was first conceived during the presidency of Rafael Palma, who was the one to commission Guillermo Tolentino to make the sculpture.
Originally, the statue was completely naked, but, as morality was prevailing at that time, it was modified by former U.P. President Jorge Bocobo with the addition of a fig leaf to cover the genitals. The sculpture was funded by the U.P. students of 1935-1936, and was presided by Potenciano Illusorio and Jose B. Laurel, Jr., presidents of the student council during