Philippine Sun (13°N, 122°E), a Luminous New Sculpture that Celebrates Filipino Culture in Yerba Buena

New Cultural Landmark is Synchronized with the Sunrise and Sunset in the Philippines, and Adds an Important Public Art to the Yerba Buena Arts District 

Yerba Buena Partnership and OEWD Provide Critical Funding and Support

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, September 1, 2026 — “Philippine Sun (13°N, 122°E),” a luminous new sculpture honoring San Francisco’s Filipino community set amid the fountains of the Crepe Myrtle Garden in Yerba Buena, will be unveiled at a community celebration on Sept. 4 adding to the vast collection of public art in the Yerba Buena arts district.

Filipino artist collective mumu created the Philippine Sun (13°N, 122°E) a vibrant glowing orb atop a mirrored pedestal that evokes a radiant sun. Its day and nighttime illumination is uniquely choreographed to match the real-time sunrise and sunset in the Philippine archipelago, the homeland of many generations of Bay Area Filipinos.

“As part of SOMA Pilipinas ten year anniversary celebrations, we are thrilled to unveil the Philippine Sun - 13°N, 122°E as the newest cultural landmark in the Filipino Cultural Heritage, connecting the Bay Area to our motherland's natural rhythm,” said SOMA Pilipinas Director Raquel Redondiez. “It is a symbol of hope, freedom, renewal and resilience — celebrating generations of Filipino presence here while welcoming all to the district.” 

Lead funding and support for the sculpture came from Yerba Buena Partnership, the Yerba Buena neighborhood’s community benefit district, and the Office of Economic and Workforce Development. The Partnership worked with SOMA Pilipinas to identify and secure a prominent location for the sculpture at the center of the Yerba Buena arts district directly across Third Street from SFMOMA.

“Philippine Sun is a beautiful and energetic sculpture that gives people a deeper appreciation of the neighborhood's mid-20th century cultural history," said Yerba Buena Partnership Executive Director Scott Rowitz.  "We’re proud to support this important work of art.” 

“Philippine Sun adds to a growing collection of public art acknowledging the presence, activism, and endurance of the Filipino community in the Yerba Buena and SOMA neighborhoods,” said Anne Taupier, Executive Director of the Office of Economic and Workforce Development.

In addition to the artistry of mumu, a constellation of designers and fabricators contributed to the sculpture including Cjay Roughgarden who designed and fabricated the mirrored base and Neha Sivaprasad of Sol Light studio who designed the lighting. 

The Yerba Buena neighborhood has the greatest density of public art in San Francisco. More than 70 pieces of public art are now on view, including the late August debut of Jennifer Steinkamp’s 95-foot-high digital art installation at Market Street at Yerba Buena Lane in partnership with SFMOMA.

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ABOUT SOMA PILIPINAS – FILIPINO CULTURAL HERITAGE DISTRICT
SOMA Pilipinas is dedicated to preserving and promoting Filipino culture and history, supporting community artists and cultural workers, and fostering economic development through cultural arts and community partnerships.San Francisco’s SOMA Pilipinas Filipino Cultural Heritage District features an active urban art gallery with vibrant public murals, light sculptures, and community-driven performance spaces that celebrate generations of Filipino culture and heritage. More than 20 works of art are in the Heritage district, including Ang Lipi ni Lapulapu  (50 Rizal St) a visual timeline documenting Philippine history and history of migration of Filipinos to the Americas and Sanctorum Mural (4th St and Howard St) by Mel Vera Cruz about tolerance and inclusiveness.

ABOUT YERBA BUENA PARTNERSHIP
Yerba Buena Partnership is a community-based nonprofit organization providing services to enhance the overall experience in the downtown San Francisco Yerba Buena neighborhood — the city’s renowned arts and entertainment destination — for all who live, work and visit. Since 2009, the Partnership has implemented programs involving cleaning, safety and hospitality, marketing, economic development, public art and public space improvements around Yerba Buena Gardens, from Second to Fifth and Market to Perry streets. The neighborhood boasts iconic destinations such as SFMOMA, YBCA, MoAD, Children’s Creativity Museum and Moscone Center, along with premier hotels, Academy of Art University and dining and entertainment venues. Yerba Buena is located within the larger Filipino Cultural Heritage District. Learn more at YerbaBuena.org.