NMP-BOHOL OPENS PAGHANDUM EXHIBITION ON PRES. GARCIA’S 128TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY

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.

BSP LOANS ART COLLECTION TO NMP

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.

#NationalMuseumPH #ScoutsPH #BSP #BoyScoutsOfThePhilippines #RizalCouncil #BSPRizalCouncil

“BEHIND WALLS, BEYOND BARS” PDL ART EXHIBITION OPENS AT THE NMP

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.

#NationalMuseumPH

NMP LAUNCHES AKLAN PIÑA TRAVELLING EXHIBITION IN UNESCO’S PARIS HQ

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.

MANILA BULLETIN LAUNCHES EARTH+LENS PHOTO EXHIBITION AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

Last 20 August, the Manila Bulletin launched the 6th edition of the EARTH+LENS Photo Exhibit with the theme of “Motions in Nature,” at the Hyundai Philippines Entrance Hall of the National Museum of Natural History.

The theme aims to raise environmental awareness by highlighting the beauty and environmental issues of our country, and demonstrating the power of Huawei’s latest smartphone cameras, who is also an event partner of the Manila Bulletin. The program began with a welcome address from the Publisher of Manila Bulletin Herminio Coloma Jr., and a message from Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, who advocates for environmental awareness. Through the collaboration of various government agencies, the Head of the Public Affairs and Information Office of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts Rene Napeñas, and the Deputy Director of the National Museum Jorell Legaspi, both emphasized art and Filipino consciousness. According to DDGM Legaspi, “these images evoke emotions and thoughts. The National Museum believes that art has a unique ability to bridge the gap between awareness and action, aiming to create a platform where photographs can inspire and educate.”

The partner photographers Silver Belen, Jan Mayo, Noel Pabalate, and Keith Bacongco, traveled across the Philippines to capture the wonders of nature and the environment featured in the exhibition, using the official smartphone photography partner—the Huawei Pura70 series.

For more information, read the Manila Bulletin article HERE: https://bit.ly/MBEarthLens2024

The exhibition is open to the public until 1 September 2024. It is open Tuesdays to Sundays, from 9 AM to 6 PM. Admission is FREE!

#NationalMuseumPH #EarthLens2024 #MotionsInNature #ManilaBulletin

NMP RECEIVES DONATION OF FERNANDO AMORSOLO’S “DOUBLE PORTRAIT OF NIEVES BALMORI GONZALES DE MORAN AND HER DAUGHTER NIEVES MORAN GARCIA”

The National Museum of the Philippines proudly announces the ceremonial turnover of a significant addition to its National Fine Arts Collection: National Artist Fernando Amorsolo’s 1959 oil painting, “Double Portrait of Nieves Balmori Gonzales de Moran and Her Daughter Nieves Moran Garcia.” This generous donation was made by Rafael Garcia Moran-Montenegro, Jean Paul Garcia-Moran, and Rosalie Montenegro-Roth in honor of Bianca Montenegro-Roth. The turnover ceremony will take place on August 5, 2024, 5:00 PM at the Spoliarium Hall of the National Museum of Fine Arts. 

Nieves Balmori Gonzalez de Moran was a notable figure, crowned carnival queen of Lingayen in 1919 and Bautista in 1920, both in Pangasinan where she is from. She was married to Manuel V. Moran, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the first Ambassador to Spain and the Vatican City. A photograph of Nieves as a carnival queen from 1919 hangs in The Presidencia, a museum located in the historic town hall of Rosales, Pangasinan. Her photo postcards were highly popular, reportedly outselling those of previous Manila Carnival Queens. She is the grandmother of 1973 Miss Universe, Margie Moran, while her daughter in the portrait, Nieves Moran Garcia, is Margie’s aunt and the wife of the former  Minister of the Philippine Embassy.

On behalf of the Filipino people, we extend our deepest gratitude to Rosalie Montenegro-Roth for honoring her daughter Bianca’s wish to entrust this treasured painting to our institution. This significant artwork will not only enrich our collection but also serve as a testament to the enduring legacy of Fernando Amorsolo and the distinguished Moran family.