The National Museum of the Philippines proudly announces the successful loan and display of Juan Luna’s “𝘜𝘯𝘢 𝘉𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘲𝘶𝘦ñ𝘢” at the Louvre Abu Dhabi in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Painted by Juan Luna, 𝘜𝘯𝘢 𝘉𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘲𝘶𝘦ñ𝘢 depicts a young Filipino woman from Bulacan dressed in traditional attire. Her contemplative gaze and upright posture speak volumes about the grace and strength of a Filipina. The artwork also reflects Luna’s mastery of merging the European art traditions of his time with the distinct dynamism of Filipino identity. Standing side by side with Luna’s opus are Auguste Renoir’s 𝘓𝘢 𝘛𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘦 𝘥𝘶 𝘊𝘩𝘰𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘵 and Edouard Manet’s 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘰𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘢𝘯.

Acquired by the National Museum of the Philippines and having survived the tumultuous period of World War II, 𝘜𝘯𝘢 𝘉𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘲𝘶𝘦ñ𝘢 was declared a National Cultural Treasure in 2008. 

The unveiling ceremony was attended by His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Louvre Abu Dhabi, alongside His Excellency Alfonso A. Ver, Ambassador of the Philippines in the UAE, and Mr. Jorell M. Legaspi, Deputy Director-General of the National Museum of the Philippines. The loan marks the first direct collaboration between the NMP and LAD, signalling a major milestone in the cultural dialogue between the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates.

The LAD Chairman highlighted their museum’s commitment to promoting universality and global cultural exchange. “With this display of 𝘜𝘯𝘢 𝘉𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘲𝘶𝘦ñ𝘢, Abu Dhabi audiences will have the opportunity to discover a great deal about its cultural and art historical context, thereby learning more about the rich and fascinating history of the Philippines,” he added.

Meanwhile, His Excellency Alfonso A. Ver pointed out that this exchange is a testament to the strengthening bilateral relations between the UAE and the Philippines. “This significant cultural exchange reflects our shared commitment to fostering understanding and cooperation through art,” he said.

Further, Manuel Rabaté, Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi, added that 𝘜𝘯𝘢 𝘉𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘲𝘶𝘦ñ𝘢 is a great representation of the heritage and identity of the Filipino people. “At Louvre Abu Dhabi, we are deeply honored to bring this treasured masterpiece to the Arab world for the first time… This exceptional loan strengthens our universal narrative by placing Southeast Asia’s voice at the heart of our global dialogue,” he stated.

Talking about the significance of the painting’s display at LAD, Mr. Jorell Legaspi said, “While we at the National Museum feel a measure of wistfulness as we part with this beloved painting for the time being, the opportunity to share it with the diverse and vibrant audience of Abu Dhabi brings far greater joy. This city, a global crossroads of ideas and cultures, offers a fitting setting for the appreciation of Luna’s genius—and of the broader contributions of Southeast Asian and Filipino art to the world’s cultural heritage.”

Mr. Legaspi also highlighted that the painting “will bring a sense of familiarity and belonging to thousands of Filipinos across the United Arab Emirates and the greater Middle East.”

𝘜𝘯𝘢 𝘉𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘲𝘶𝘦ñ𝘢 will remain on view at Louvre Abu Dhabi until June 2026.

#NationalMuseumPH #LouvreAbuDhabi #LADLunaBulaqueña

Last 13 June 2025, we opened our newest special exhibition “𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐕𝐀𝐒: 𝟐𝟎 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬” made in collaboration with the CANVAS – Center for Art, New Ventures & Sustainable Development, headed by its Founder and Executive Director, Mr. Gigo Alampay. 

The interactive exhibition celebrates the organization’s 20 years of championing literacy and education through culture and the arts, especially for underprivileged Filipino youth.  

Artworks from several Filipino artists, including National Artist Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera and Elmer Borlongan, are featured in the exhibition, which is also a preview of the soon-to-open Tumba-Tumba Children’s Museum of Philippine Art in Batangas.

In his opening remarks, Deputy Director-General for Museums Jorell Legaspi described the exhibition as “the reimagination of museum spaces, not just as a showcase of art and creativity, but also as an interactive and dynamic environment where everybody can come together.” 

“Beyond that, the exhibition is also the culmination of all the important work and effort that CANVAS has done over the last 20 years,” he added.

Mr. Alampay, on the other hand, highlighted the importance of the collaboration with the NMP and how it contributes to their advocacy of accessibility. “We are very honored to have partnered with the NMP for this exhibition, because admission to the museum is free, and we are able to make our art and stories accessible to everybody,” he stated.

Visitors can view the exhibition at Galleries XXV and XXVI, 4/F, National Museum of Fine Arts, starting today through next year.

The National Museum of the Philippines is 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘𝐃𝐀𝐘, 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟗𝐀𝐌 𝐭𝐨 𝟔𝐏𝐌. 𝐀𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄!

#NationalMuseumPH #CANVAS20

LG Global has once again extended its support to the National Museum of the Philippines by donating high-end monitors, TVs, and screen units. This latest contribution follows previous donations made in 2018 and 2024.

The official turnover yesterday, 10 June, was marked by a signing of a deed of donation between NMP Director-General Jeremy Barns and LG Philippines Managing Director Nakhyun Seong. Also present were NMP Deputy Director-General for Museums Jorell Legaspi and LG Philippines Product Director for Media Solutions Yongwoo Park. 

In his acceptance speech, DG Barns stated that this important donation is a testament to the company’s unwavering support for cultural and artistic organizations nationwide. 

“We are grateful to LG Philippines, not only for their material support, but for sharing in our belief that innovation must serve education, access, and cultural preservation,” he said. “Your partnership affirms that the museum experience is continually enriched by the tools and technologies of our time,” DG Barns added.

The new display units also featured 𝘍𝘙𝘈𝘎𝘔𝘌𝘕𝘛𝘚, a digital art collection by Isaiah Cacnio inspired by the Philippines’ geological heritage. DG Barns later lauded the stunning artworks and congratulated Cacnio on being one of the first digital artists to have been featured in the NMP.

The donated equipment will enhance exhibitions, support public programs, and elevate the overall visitor experience.

We at the NMP extend our sincerest gratitude to LG Philippines for another remarkable donation to the Filipino people.

#NationalMuseumPH #LGPhilippines #LIfesGood #LGAITV #LGOLED

Last 2 June 2025, we celebrated the memory of pioneering Filipino archaeologist Dr. Eusebio “Bong” Z. Dizon through a series of lectures during the 𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲: 𝐀 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐜𝐲 — 𝐀 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐫. 𝐄𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐛𝐢𝐨 “𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐠” 𝐃𝐢𝐳𝐨𝐧.

The program began with a few messages remembering the legacy of Dr. Dizon. This was followed by a series of research presentations by NMP researchers and guest speakers covering topics such as terrestrial and underwater archaeology, petrography, and architecture—topics that were the focus of Dr. Dizon’s long and illustrious career.

After the lectures, a short video documentary highlighting the life and works of the late archaeologist was shown, followed by a series of eulogies from Dr. Dizon’s local and international colleagues, including former National Museum Assistant Director Dr. Jesus Peralta and world-renowned archaeologist Peter Belwood.

We will forever be grateful to Dr. Dizon for his contributions to the NMP and the progress of Philippine archaeology.

#NationalMuseumPH #Anthropology #PhilippineAnthropology #Archaeology #Architecture #BuiltHeritage

Last 30 May 2025, the National Museum of the Philippines received the Kevin Weldon Earthenware Pottery collection in a turnover ceremony at the Philippine Consulate in Sydney, Australia. 

The collection comprises 17 pieces of earthenware pottery that are 1,500 to 2,000 years old, most of which are of Filipino origin. Also included in the donation is a frame of two undated photos of Mr. Weldon with the late President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr., and then National Museum anthropology chief, Dr. Robert Fox.

The NMP was represented by Director-General Jeremy Barns, Deputy Director-General for Museums Jorell Legaspi, and Dr. Mary Jane Louise Bolunia, curator of the Archaeology Division, who also delivered a lecture on Philippine archaeology.

“It’s something for cultural workers both in the Philippines and Australia to celebrate,”  Director-General Barns said. “May this donation unearth knowledge for the better understanding of our history, and inspire others to be stewards of our heritage.”

The collection was donated by Cecille, Leonie, and Harold Weldon of the Weldon family and is believed to have been given to the late Kevin Ernest Weldon, an Australian book publisher and philanthropist. 

This historic turnover underscores the enduring ties between the Philippines and Australia and highlights our shared commitment to preserving and celebrating cultural heritage.

Our sincerest gratitude to the Philippine Embassy in Canberra, led by Ambassador Antonio A. Morales, Office of Cultural Diplomacy Assistant Secretary Celia Anna M. Feria, and Philippine Consul-General in Sydney, Charmaine Rowena C. Aviquivil, for their invaluable assistance in facilitating the return of this significant collection.

#NationalMuseumPH #WeldonCollection #GiftToTheNation