Author: National Museum of the Philippines

NMP CELEBRATES PRIDE MONTH THROUGH “COLORFUL FRIDAYS” INITIATIVE

Last June 28, after a successful observation of Pride Month, the National Museum of the Philippines’ Central and Regional Office employees expressed a simple yet symbolic act of allyship through fashion via the “Colorful Fridays” initiative!

Museum employees and visitors alike have been wearing vibrant colors during all Fridays of June to show solidarity with the LGBTQI+ communities.

In addition to Colorful Fridays, many other Pride-related activities and programs were carried out by the NMP to promote its mission of inclusivity and accessibility.

Beyond Pride Month, the NMP will continue to become a safe and open space for anyone and everyone! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

#NationalMuseumPH #PrideMonth #LGBTQIA+

NMP ILLUMINATED WITH PRIDE COLORS FOR PRIDE MONTH

In celebration of Pride Month, the facade of the National Museum of Fine Arts was illuminated in the vibrant colors of the Pride Flag, signifying our commitment to making our spaces safe for a diverse spectrum of identities, not only during Pride Month but throughout the rest of the year too!

#NationalMuseumPH #PrideMonth #Pride #LGBTQIA

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE PHILIPPINES TURNS OVER AND REOPENS ARCHDIOCESAN SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF CAYSASAY TO THE PUBLIC

Last 20 June, the National Museum of the Philippines formally turned over the newly-restored Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Caysasay to the Archdiocese of Lipa and the people of Taal, Batangas.

The turnover ceremony, coinciding with the 52nd anniversary of the elevation of the then-Diocese of Lipa into an Archdiocese, was graced by the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Most Rev. Charles John Brown, D.D., the Archbishop of Lipa Most Rev. Gilbert A. Garcera, D.D., NMP Director-General Jeremy Barns, Rector of the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Caysasay Rev. Fr. Raul Francisco A. Martinez, Executive Director of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines Carminda R. Arevalo, Chief of the NHCP’s Historic Preservation Division Ar. Reynaldo S. Lita, Chief of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts’ Cultural Properties Protection and Regulation Division Joseph Patrick V. Lee, and Taal Mayor Fulgencio Mercado, among others.

Furthermore, markers declaring the Shrine a National Cultural Treasure and National Historical Landmark, as well as the marker of the Decree of Dedication were also unveiled.

During the ceremony, DG Barns said that this restoration project is a manifestation of the NMP’s hard work and dedication to preserving this heritage structure. “We are very happy to show our public service at the National Museum in this way by showing to you this complete Shrine that will stand as a cultural treasure and historical landmark for more generations to come,” Barns mentioned.

Archbishop Garcera, meanwhile, described the restoration project as a ‘dream come true’ for Batangueños which has also sparked renewed faith in many. “You will see before us the dream that I detailed in my homily back in 2021; a reconstructed church and a renewed devotion to Our Lady of Caysasay,” he remarked.

Moreover, in his Homily during the first Eucharistic Celebration after the turnover, Rev. Brown lauded the breathtaking beauty of the newly restored Shrine. “When we opened the doors, and I saw the works in the inside for the first time, my breath was quite literally taken away by the beauty of this historical restoration, bringing the church back to its original splendor, simplicity, integrity, and nobility,” Archbishop Brown said.

In 2021, the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Caysasay and its complex were put under the care of the National Museum of the Philippines after sustaining damage from the 2020 eruption of Taal Volcano.

Follow this link for more information about the History of the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Caysasay: https://bit.ly/HistoryofCaysasay 

#NationalMuseumPH #Caysasay #OurLadyofCaysasay #Taal #Batangas

NMP RECEIVES REPLICA OF 5,500-YEAR-OLD CACAO CERAMIC BOTTLE FROM ECUADOR

Last Tuesday, 18 June, the National Museum of the Philippines received its latest Gift to the Nation—a replica of a 5,500-Year-Old Cacao Ceramic Bottle from the Republic of Ecuador!

The original ceramic bottle, which belongs to the Mayo-Chinchipe Marañon Culture, was unearthed from the Santa Ana-La Florida archaeological site in southeastern Ecuador in 2002. Traces of cacao found in the bottle offer evidence of Ecuador being the earliest domesticator of cacao in the world, dating as far back as 5,500 to 5,300 Before Present (BP). These cacao beans eventually travelled to different parts of the world, reaching Manila through the Manila-Acapulco Galleon trade from the 16th to the 18th century, and have since become part of Filipino gastronomy.

The replica of the bottle was donated by the Cultural Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility of Ecuador Mr. Ramiro Hidalgo, who was represented by Philippine Ambassador to Chile, H.E. Celeste Vinzon-Balatbat, and was received by the NMP’s Deputy Director-General for Museums Mr. Jorell Legaspi.

After the ceremony, brief lectures on the cacao industry and the use of the crop in Philippine gastronomy were given by Ms. Louise Emmanuelle Mabulo and Mr. Guillermo Ramos, respectively.

#NationalMuseumPH #Cacao #Ecuador #CulturalDiplomacy #GiftToTheNation

NMP RECEIVES THE LATEST GIFT TO THE NATION—A BURIAL JAR LID FROM PALAWAN, REPATRIATED BY THE MADISON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY IN WINTERSET, IOWA, USA

On 14 June, the National Museum of the Philippines received its latest Gift to the Nation, a burial jar lid from Brooke’s Point, Palawan, repatriated by the Madison County Historical Society (MCHS) in Winterset, Iowa, USA.

The limestone burial jar lid, which features an anthropomorphic figure, traces its provenance to Brooke’s Point, Palawan, where donor Donald Thomas acquired the piece as a gift in the 1960s. Later, in 1992, Thomas donated the lid to the MCHS. On 29 May, the burial jar lid was transferred to the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago, who has been assisting the MCHS and the NMP in the repatriation process. 

This repatriation comes just months after the return of the much-larger Sally A. von dem Hagen Collection of Limestone Burial Jars to the country.

The National Museum of the Philippines would like to extend its deepest appreciation to the Madison County Historical Society for this important repatriation and to the Philippine Consulate in Chicago for their tireless assistance in bringing the object home.  

#NationalMuseumPH #Repatriation #GiftToTheNation

NMP RECEIVES TAXIDERMY MOUNT OF RENOWNED PHILIPPINE EAGLE GEOTHERMICA

Last Wednesday, 5 June, the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) and the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) unveiled the taxidermy mount of renowned Philippine eagle Geothermica in celebration of Philippine Eagle Week!

Geothermica, and his partner Sambisig, were the pioneering pair chosen for the 2019 International Wildlife Loan Program between the Philippines and Singapore. Geothermica, affectionately known as Geo, was born on 7 January 2004 to parents Kahayag and Junior. The Energy Development Corporation later adopted Geo. 

Meanwhile, Sambisig, also known as Sam, was born on 17 November 2002 to parents Diamante and Sam and was adopted by the material science company Dow Chemical Philippines.

Four years into the loan agreement program, Geo passed away on 7 September 2023 due to a severe lung infection. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR-BMB) turned over Geo’s taxidermy mount to the NMP, which is now part of the Philippine Zoological Reference Collections.

Geo’s story is a testament to the power of collective action. Reflecting the conservation strategies of the government, experts, and scientists, Geo’s legacy calls for every Filipino to take an active role in helping conserve and preserve this critically endangered raptor.

Further, in partnership with the NMP, the PEF launched a photo exhibition to emphasize the urgent need to protect the critically endangered Philippine eagle. The “Geothermica & Philippine Eagle Conservation” special photo exhibition aims to raise awareness on the culture-based conservation of the Haring Ibon. It serves as a reminder to help protect and conserve our forests, the natural habitat of the Philippine eagles. It also showcases how sustainable forest management, led by our communities and indigenous peoples, is crucial to saving our national bird.

The unveiling of Geothermica was graced by DENR Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga and attended by partners from the PEF, DENR-BMB, Boeing SouthEast, EDC, Forest Foundation Philippines, and ASEAN Center for Biodiversity, among others, showcasing the power of collaboration in our conservation efforts.

The “Geothermica & Philippine Eagle Conservation” special photo exhibition is available for public viewing until 24 June at the Shell Philippines Centennial Courtyard at the National Museum of Natural History! The NMNH is open Tuesdays to Sundays, from 9 AM to 6 PM. Admission is FREE!

#NationalMuseumPh #PhilippineEagleWeek2024 #PEW2024 #Geothermica