NMP RECEIVES LATEST GIFTS TO THE NATION – THREE PALAW’AN BASKETS FROM MS. MARIA ELENA LOPEZ

Last 20 February 2025, the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) received three Palaw’an baskets—the latest gifts to the nation from Ms. Maria Elena Lopez. The rice basket and betelnut pouches were woven by Palaw’an women and gifted to Ms. Lopez during her ethnographic fieldwork in Barangay Abo-abo, Sofronio Española, Palawan in 1982-1983.

Ms. Lopez was represented by her son, Mr. Martin Lopez, Director of the Center for the Arts of the Far Eastern University during the formal handover and signing of the Deed of Donation. The NMP was represented by Director-General Jeremy Barns and Deputy Director-General for Museums Jorell Legaspi.

Through the NMP, Ms. Lopez believes that the Filipino people should be able to appreciate the exquisite craftsmanship of the Palawan weavers of these baskets. The Ethnology Division of the NMP will prepare the baskets for its future inclusion in the “Entwined Spheres: Mats and Baskets as Containers, Conveyors, and Costumes” exhibition at the National Museum of Anthropology and the “Bitúun: The Spatial and Temporal Domains of Palawan Life” exhibition at the NMP-Tabon Cave Complex and Lipuun Point in Quezon, Palawan.

We thank Ms. Lopez for her gift to the Filipino People in celebration of her birthday today, 21 February!

#NationalMuseumPH #GiftToTheNation #PalawanWomen#BasketWeaving