The National Museum of the Philippines announced the successful culmination of its extensive
repatriation efforts that began several years ago. This paved the way for the safe return to the Philippines of the Sally A. von dem Hagen Collection of Limestone Burial Jars from the Kulaman
Plateau. This significant donation was initiated by Peter, Stephanie, and Antoinette von dem
Hagen in recognition of their late mother’s lifelong custodianship of these objects of Philippine
antiquity, spanning over four decades.

The 52-piece collection was presented to the media through a turnover activity at the National
Museum of Anthropology on 7 May 2024. Now integral to the National Archaeological
Collection, their provenance traces back to when they were originally purchased in the early
1970s by Mrs. Sally A. von dem Hagen, an American businesswoman living in Manila. Known for
her appreciation for antiquities, she was sought out by a group of Dulangan Manobo individuals
who had come across these limestone ossuaries during a hunting expedition in Cotabato’s
Kulaman Plateau. Mrs. von dem Hagen, recognizing the profound cultural significance of these
objects, agreed to acquire as many as possible and, over time, established relationships among
members of the Manobo community in the area of what is today part of the province of Sultan
Kudarat. When she departed the Philippines for the United States in 1979, she brought her
beloved collection with her.

Earlier this year, the NMP Office of the Director-General and the Fine Arts Division organized the shipment of the limestone objects from Los Angeles, California where they were under the temporary care of non-profit organization, the Filipino-American Service Group, Inc. (FASGI) and Dr. Stephen B. Acabado and the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at the University of California, Los Angeles. An exhibition held at the FASGI Bayanihan Center facilitated conversations among the Filipino-American community, highlighting the ethics of collecting material culture, issues of repatriation and empowerment, culture and history, and heritage engagement. Upon arriving in Manila on 25 March 2024, NMP’s Archaeology Division and Fine Arts Division supervised the collection’s unboxing, inspection, and curation. A team from the University of the Philippines-Manila led by anthropology professor Dr. Ma. Teresa G. de Guzman also conducted a brief blessing ritual to welcome these artifacts.

These burial jars were carved out from limestone abundant in the region. They were shaped in either a round or quadrangular fashion and decorated with vertical fluting or geometric designs. The lids, however, have diverse designs, ranging from simple gabled roofs to elaborate anthropomorphic features. These jars stored human bones as a secondary burial vessel.

Kulaman limestone jars remain the only movable limestone ossuary among mostly clay-fashioned burial jars. Despite differences in raw materials, the vessels nevertheless represent the widespread jar burial tradition in the Philippines and Southeast Asia during the Metal Age, approximately 2,800 to 1,000 years ago. Very little is presently known about the people who created the Kulaman Plateau limestone jars and who utilized them for their burial rites, as well as whether the Dulangan Manobo communities of the area are descended from or related to them, and this awaits further scientific research, which the NMP intends to facilitate in collaboration with the communities and key partners.

The NMP expresses its sincerest gratitude to the von dem Hagen family for their enthusiasm
and dedication throughout the process of return, as well as to FASGI and Dr. Acabado for their
unwavering support in making this collection more accessible to the Filipino people for
generations to come.

The National Museum of the Philippines proudly presents the exhibition “Leaves, Lace, and Legacy: The Art of Lenore RS Lim” exhibition, in celebration of National Women’s Month. Opened on 22 March 2024 at Gallery XVII (Special Exhibition Hall dedicated to Women’s Art) of the National Museum of Fine Arts, the exhibition highlights the artistic journey of Lenore Raquel-Santos Lim, a Filipina visual artist renowned for her contributions to Philippine arts. 

“Leaves, Lace, and Legacy” features Lim’s exploration of the intricate realm of printmaking, presenting the recurring motifs of decaying leaves, handmade laces, and wedding veils. It showcases her artworks that pay homage to nature conservation and Philippine maternal traditions while engaging in a meaningful discourse on womanhood and human rights.

Lim adeptly merges traditional techniques with contemporary technologies. The exhibition showcases some of her notable printmaking techniques such as chine collé, computer-aided design serigraphy, etching, giclée, lithography, and photo etching.

During the opening reception, NMP Director-General Jeremy Barns called the exhibition “a feature of Lim’s beautiful stories as told through her art” before thanking the artist for the generous donation of several Gifts to the Nation.

Afterwards, Deputy-Director General for Museums Jorell Legaspi gave a curatorial overview of the exhibition, before sharing a brief account of Ms. Lim’s life and works.

This was followed by an emotional message from Ms. Lim herself, recounting the days spent in the then Legislative Building waiting for her father to finish his work. “It feels like coming home after a long absence from a place so dear to me. And what a beautiful home it had become,” Lim said, describing the exhibition as a “full circle” moment for her. Lim later gave a guided tour of the exhibition to the attendees.

Born in 1946, Lim pursued a career as an art educator until she transitioned to a career as an artist in the 1990s. As a pioneer of computer-aided art in the Philippines, she has received various recognitions, including the Pollock Krasner Foundation Grant and the Pamana ng Pilipino Presidential Award. She also founded the Filipino Music and Art Foundation BC, which supports aspiring Filipino artists.

Celebrate National Women’s Month by visiting this new exhibition. We are open Tuesdays to Sundays, from 9 A.M. to 6 P.M. Admission is FREE!

On February 1, 2024, the National Museum of the Philippines held the soft opening of its component site museum at the Tabon Cave Complex and Lipuun Point in Quezon, Palawan. Gracing the event were Governor Victorino Dennis Socrates, Second District Representative Jose Alvarez, Quezon Mayor Joselito Ayala, the members of the provincial board, and other government officials from partner agencies.

In his welcome address, Director-General Jeremy Barns praised the local government of Palawan’s long-term partnership with the NMP and expressed his confidence that with the enduring collaboration, “we [will] continue to soar high in our efforts to preserve this cultural and natural landscape for generations to enjoy”.

The local government of Palawan responded with their words of gratitude with Gov. Socrates calling the museum “a huge investment that will help the tourism industry in Palawan and make us conscious of our heritage”. He conveyed the gratitude of the people of Palawan for the NMP’s dynamism in making the museum a reality. Mayor Ayala on the other hand recognized the collective efforts of the local and national governments in preserving the Tabon Cave Complex. He also reiterated the call for the people of Quezon to encourage visits to the site.

Meanwhile, UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines (UNACOM) Secretary-General Dr. Ivan Henares updated everyone on the steps that are currently being undertaken for the nomination of the Tabon Cave Complex and all of Lipuun Point as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. He highlighted Tabon’s “outstanding universal value” and the enormous assistance of the NMP in the nomination process through its many years of continuing research on the site. 

To cap the program and to invite the audience to view the new exhibitions, Deputy Director-General for Museums Jorell Legaspi gave an overview of each gallery, weaving together the narratives which have been shaped by decades of research and NMP presence in Palawan.

Last 21 November, the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) formally opened the “Selections from the CCP 21st Century Art Museum (21AM) Collection” special exhibition at Galleries XXVII & XXVIII of the National Museum of Fine Arts.

Featuring artworks from the visual arts collection of the CCP, this exhibition is divided into two sections; the first of which, titled “The Possibilities of Luminance,” anchors on the concept of brightness or luminance as an artistic expression. Meanwhile, the second section, named “Man and Nature,” contemplates the visual expressions surrounding life and nature, explored through the works of select National Artists.

“This is a collaborative effort between the NMP and the CCP, and embodies the shared commitment of two cultural powerhouses dedicated to preserving and promoting our rich artistic heritage,” Director-General Jeremy Barns remarked, recognizing the longstanding relations between both cultural institutions.

CCP President Ad Interim Michelle Nikki Junia thanked NMP for their partnership and expressed her excitement over the launch of this special exhibition. “This is an exhibit that everyone shouldn’t miss, among every other exhibitions on display at the National Museum,” President Junia said.

Ms. Angela Ojeda Luz, on behalf of the estate of NA for Visual Arts Arturo Luz, also gave a brief message, talking about her father’s art and its inclusion in the special exhibition. “Yesterday was my father’s supposed 97th birthday, so this exhibit could not have come at a better time. It’s almost like another celebration of his life, and I am honored whenever my father is recognized for his work and his invaluable contribution to Philippine art,” Ms. Luz stated.

The brief program also saw intermission numbers from the PPO’s Woodwind Quintet, followed by the formal opening, and a curatorial walkthrough of the exhibition.

This special exhibition is now open for viewing at the National Museum of Fine Arts! It is open Tuesdays to Sundays, from 9 AM to 6 PM. Admission is FREE!

#NationalMuseumPH #21AM #CulturalCenterofthePhilippines #CCP #FineArts #NMFA

On 6 November 2023, the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP), in partnership with CEED – Center for Energy, Ecology and Development and Protect the Verde Island Passage, launched the special photo exhibition “Our VIP: Protecting a Paradise in Peril” to raise awareness about the threats faced by the Verde Island Passage (VIP).

The Verde Island Passage, which separates the islands of Luzon and Mindoro, is often described as one of the most biodiverse aquatic biomes in the world, earning it the nickname “the Amazon of the Oceans”. However, its abundant waters, which provide sustenance to over 2 million people, are being threatened by anthropogenic factors such as maritime traffic, pollution, and overfishing, among others.

“We hope that this exhibition not only increases public consciousness on its role in sustaining our country’s food security and in abating climate change, but we also look forward to heighten the call to protect the VIP,” NMP Deputy Director-General Jorell M. Legaspi stated in his opening remarks.

“I hope this exhibition sparks the creation of a new history that protects the Verde Island Passage for the benefit of our children and the next generations,” CEED Executive Director Gerry Arances adds.

Meanwhile, Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda extended her message of support through a presentation. “We seek to pass a law… to protect the VIP. A law establishing the VIP as an Expanded National Integrated Protected Area System (ENIPAS) site will give us the tools and resources to do what we must,” Legarda remarked.

In addition, Dr. Miguel Azcuna of the VIP Center for Oceanographic Research and Aquatic Life Sciences – Batangas State University, Ambassador Peter Kell of the New Zealand Embassy in the Philippines, Rod de Jesus representing the Batangas Fisherfolk, Roy Ortega of the Fisheries Resources Management Division of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Alita Sangalang of the Biodiversity Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Vice Mayor Marvin Rivera of Pola, Oriental Mindoro also gave brief remarks establishing their support for the protection of the VIP.

The three-month special photo exhibition, featuring stunning photographs of the VIP and its biodiversity, is now available for public viewing at the National Museum of Natural History.

The National Museum of Natural History is OPEN Tuesdays to Sundays, from 9 AM to 6 PM. Admission is FREE!