Last 6 November 2024, the National Museum of the Philippines received the latest Gift to the Nation: the General Aniceto L. Lacson Ancestral House in Talisay City, Negros Occidental. NMP Director General Jeremy Barns officially accepted the property of the heirs of Gen. Aniceto L. Lacson in the ceremonial signing of the Deed of Donation.
The signing of the deed of donation was done on the occasion of Cinco de Noviembre, which commemorates the Negrense revolution against the Spaniards and the proclamation of the Republica Cantonal de Negros. From 5 November 1898 to 4 March 1899, the General Aniceto L. Lacson Ancestral House briefly served as the official presidential residence and the seat of government of the Negros Republic. In 2002, the house was declared a National Historical Landmark.
The donation and restoration of the property is also part of the efforts to inscribe the Sugar Cultural Landscape of Negros into UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites list.
Paghandum, “to reminisce, remember or look back”, honors the enduring legacy of the 8th President of the Republic of the Philippines: a distinguished son of Bohol through a selection of artworks, photographs, furniture, and personal memorabilia.
Before becoming president, Garcia was as a teacher, lawyer, guerilla leader, senator, and political economist. A true statesman, he was the exemplar of commitment to Philippine sovereignty and economic independence as encapsulated in his Filipino First Policy which promoted the primacy of Philippine industries over foreign enterprises by empowering local producers and guaranteeing preferential rights to Filipinos on matters of national economy and patrimony. Garcia also played a key role in reducing foreign military base agreements, ensuring a more autonomous future for the Philippines.
His roots in Bohol profoundly influenced his character and political outlook. The values of simplicity, hard work, and community solidarity inherent in Boholano culture shaped his leadership style and public service. He maintained a deep connection with Bohol throughout his life, frequently returning to his roots and staying engaged with his community. His legacy of economic nationalism is celebrated in Bohol; and is revered and remembered for his love and devotion to the national identity, having worked towards the strengthening of indigenous cultural arts.
This exhibition features a collection of objects from the Carlos P. Garcia Heritage House in Tagbilaran City, Bohol as well as from their home in Quezon City, Metro Manila. Generously gifted by his grandchildren, Maria Carla Josefa G. Campos, Jose Carlos G. Campos, and Isabel Campos Bustos, this collection not only commemorates Garcia’s contributions but also reflects the enduring bond between the leader and his beloved province. A major highlight are two oil on canvas individual portraits of President Carlos P. Garcia and First Lady Leonila D. Garcia created by National Artist for Visual Arts, Fernando C. Amorsolo in 1959.
Present at the reception to inaugurate the exhibition were NMP’s Director-General Jeremy R. Barns, Deputy Director-General for Museums Jorell M. Legaspi, and Director for Visayas National Museums Atty. Ma. Cecilia U. Tirol. Honorable Governor Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado along with local government officials, partners from the academe, media, tourism, and cultural sectors graced the event.
The National Museum of the Philippines Bohol would like to express our sincere gratitude to the following individuals for their invaluable contributions and support: MC Builders Construction & Services, Marianito Jose Luspo, National Historical Commission of the Philippines, National Library of the Philippines, and the Provincial Government of Bohol.
Last 31 October 2024, the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) received a collection of nine artworks and two taxidermy specimens loaned from the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) in celebration of the organization’s 88th Charter Anniversary. Additionally, the NMP and BSP signed a tripartite agreement with the BSP-Rizal Council for the loan of an artwork painted by National Artist Carlos “Botong” Francisco.
The collection consists of paintings by Jose Tinsay, Pedro Coniconde, Benjamin Alano, Antonio Dumlao, and Ely J. Victoria, highlighting the BSP’s more than half-century scouting tradition.
During a brief turnover ceremony, NMP Director-General Jeremy Barns remarked that the artworks “without a doubt, represent not only our country’s rich heritage, but also the colorful spirit, history, and legacy of the BSP as an institution.” BSP Secretary General Kim Robert de Leon underscored that the loan of the artworks is part of the organization’s goal to reach out to the youth. “[The BSP] wants to share what it has, not only to our scouts but for the entire Filipino generation. May we be reminded that scouting will continue to exist, and we count on your continued support so we can serve more young people,” de Leon said.
Furthermore, BSP Rizal Council Chairman Amado Victor U. Saguinsin thanked the NMP for extending assistance in protecting their artworks. He said, “We are honored to have been the custodians of this masterpiece, ensuring that it carries on the BSP legacy, and now, as we thank the National Museum of the Philippines for taking these artworks under their care.”
During the last part of the program, representatives from the BSP and the Philippine Postal Corporation unveiled a commemorative cover for the former’s 88th Charter Anniversary.
The BSP collection of artworks will be under the care of the National Museum of the Philippines until 2029.
Last 28 October 2024, the Justice Sector Coordinating Council – Quezon City Justice Zone and Bagong Buhay Group of Artists, launched “Behind Walls, Beyond Bars: National Correctional Consciousness Week Art Exhibition” at the National Museum of Fine Arts.
The exhibition features a collection of paintings and pyrography (wood-burned works) made by persons deprived of liberty, or PDLs, as part of an art competition for the 2024 National Correctional Awareness Week.
In a brief opening ceremony, NMP’s Director-General Jeremy Barns conveyed how this exhibition, which marks the culmination of this year’s National Museums and Galleries Month, “truly lives up to the MGM themes of fostering innovation, allowing PDLs to showcase the transformative power of art as means of expression and change.”
Moreover, Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Karl Miranda outlined the importance of this exhibition to the PDL artists. “This exhibition signifies a new beginning—a symbolic way of celebrating a milestone in the lives of the PDL artists, looking beyond and above their plight, moving past their commiseration, and celebrating their important contribution to the country’s culture and the arts”, Miranda emphasized.
Meanwhile, Executive Judge of the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City Rosanna Fe Romero Maglaya acknowledged the 170 PDLs who participated in the art competition. “We now appreciate the realization that incarceration is not the be-all and end-all of the Philippine criminal justice system; it is a step towards rehabilitation and reintegration to society”, Maglaya stated.
First Lady Louise Araneta Marcos graced the event as guest of honor, leading the ribbon-cutting ceremony to formally open the exhibition.
Behind Walls, Beyond Bars is on view until 5 January 2025 at the Sandiganbayan Hall of the National Museum of Fine Arts.
Last 14 October, the National Museum of the Philippines launched the travelling exhibition, “AKLAN PIÑA: Handloom Weaving and the Schools of Living Traditions of the Philippines” at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France.
AKLAN PIÑA highlights the historical and cultural significance of its namesake fabric, showcasing a visual narrative of its production, the techniques used, and a collection of historical and contemporary clothing fashioned from piña textile. The exhibition also celebrates the inscription of the Aklan piña handloom weaving into UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2023, as well as the inscription of the Schools of Living Traditions of the Philippines into the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices in 2021.
The AKLAN PIÑA exhibition is on view at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France until 18 October. This travelling exhibition will continue its run at various partner institutions in Europe next year.
Last 27 May, the National Museum of the Philippines accepted a generous donation of five LG Objet Posé 55-inch OLED television units from LG Global.
In a speech by NMP Director-General Jeremy Barns, he emphasized that this significant donation is a step forward in adapting our museums to a rapidly-digitizing world. “LG’s donation is really important to us, because not only does it help us see our artworks more clearly, but it also helps modernize our public programs and provide better services to our stakeholders,” DG Barns remarked.
Also present at the turnover event were LG Philippines Managing Director Mr. Nakhyun Seong and Product Director Mr. Yongwoo Park, as well as influencers Drew Arellano, Bianca Yao, and Mikee Reyes.
Back in 2018, LG Philippines also made a donation of three top-of-the-line televisions to the NMP, which aided in the conduct of the Museum’s public programs and educational activities in Manila and in the Regional Component Museums across the country.
These donations, as well as the support given to other cultural and artistic organizations nationwide, are a testament to LG Philippines’ longstanding commitment to empowering the creative industries and heritage preservation initiatives across the Philippines.
On behalf of the Filipino people, the National Museum of the Philippines looks forward to nurturing this valuable partnership and expresses its paramount gratitude to LG Philippines for these gifts to the nation.