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

Last 20 February 2025, the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) received three Palaw’an baskets—the latest gifts to the nation from Ms. Maria Elena Lopez. The rice basket and betelnut pouches were woven by Palaw’an women and gifted to Ms. Lopez during her ethnographic fieldwork in Barangay Abo-abo, Sofronio Española, Palawan in 1982-1983.

Ms. Lopez was represented by her son, Mr. Martin Lopez, Director of the Center for the Arts of the Far Eastern University during the formal handover and signing of the Deed of Donation. The NMP was represented by Director-General Jeremy Barns and Deputy Director-General for Museums Jorell Legaspi.

Through the NMP, Ms. Lopez believes that the Filipino people should be able to appreciate the exquisite craftsmanship of the Palawan weavers of these baskets. The Ethnology Division of the NMP will prepare the baskets for its future inclusion in the “Entwined Spheres: Mats and Baskets as Containers, Conveyors, and Costumes” exhibition at the National Museum of Anthropology and the “Bitúun: The Spatial and Temporal Domains of Palawan Life” exhibition at the NMP-Tabon Cave Complex and Lipuun Point in Quezon, Palawan.

We thank Ms. Lopez for her gift to the Filipino People in celebration of her birthday today, 21 February!

#NationalMuseumPH #GiftToTheNation #PalawanWomen#BasketWeaving