Author: National Museum of the Philippines

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

Last 9 May, the National Museum of the Philippines, through the Director for Mindanao National Museums Dr. Arvin Manuel Villalon and the Ethnology Division, welcomed 12 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐡𝐚 𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐧, along with their families, the head of the GAMABA Executive Council Commissioner Reden Ulo and the GAMABA Secretariat, to the National Museum of Anthropology.

They toured the NMA’s GAMABA Hall, which displays the life and works of 16 Manlilikha ng Bayan conferred from 1993 to 2016, and got a preview of upcoming gallery upgrades to feature the newest Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan awardees. They also viewed the other exhibitions at the NMA, which featured the material culture of various Filipino indigenous and cultural communities, followed by a visit to the National Museum of Natural History.

This visit follows the 7 May conferment ceremony presided over by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. for the nine newly-declared 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 at the Metropolitan Theater.

#NationalMuseumPH #GAMABA #GawadManlilikhaNgBayan

Last 24 March 2025, NMP launched the newest exhibition “Phyllis Zaballero: Landscapes of the Mind” at Gallery XVII of the National Museum of Fine Arts.

Landscapes of the Mind offers an intimate glimpse into the creative vision of artist Phyllis Zaballero through her early abstract works.

In his welcoming remarks, Director-General Jeremy Barns said that Zaballero’s works and this exhibition manifest a shared dedication to artistic excellence and women empowerment.

“Here at the NMP, we do our best to make our spaces safe and inclusive for everyone—a commitment that we undoubtedly share with Phyllis herself. We established this gallery solely dedicated to women’s art, proudly underscoring the unique vision, experiences, identity, and heart that every Filipino woman possesses”, Barns stated.

Meanwhile, Zaballero mentioned that even though this is her 44th solo exhibition, this is her first at the NMP. “I am very honored that the National Museum wanted to highlight my early works and deepen the scope of my artistry”.

Zaballero invited poet Marjorie Evasco to read her poem “Acquainted with Lightning”, which inspired the artwork of the same name displayed at the exhibition. The artist then gave a detailed walkthrough of the exhibition to guests.

Landscapes of the Mind was launched on the occasion of National Women’s Month and follows other women-led exhibitions displayed in the same gallery by artists such as Ofelia Gelvezon-Tequi, Impy Pilapil, Virginia Ty-Navarro, and Lenore RS Lim.

Visit Landscapes of the Mind at Gallery XVII (Special Exhibition Hall Dedicated to Women’s Art), 3/F, National Museum of Fine Arts. The National Museum of the Philippines is open EVERYDAY, from 9 AM to 6 PM. Admission is FREE!

#NationalMuseumPH #PhyllisZaballero #LandscapesOfTheMind #NationalWomensMonth #WomensMonth #NWMC2025 #WEcanbeEquALL