Via Crucis studies by National Artist (NA) for Visual Arts Jeremias Elizalde-Navarro (1924–1999)

Posted on:  |  National Museum of the Philippines Posted in Uncategorized.

The #NationalMuseumPH celebrates World Art Day and joins Roman Catholics in the observance of Good Friday #OnThisDay, with an exhibition of the two sets of Via Crucis studies by National Artist (NA) for Visual Arts Jeremias Elizalde-Navarro (1924–1999) in the Museum Foundation of the Philippines Hall (Gallery X) of the National Museum of Fine Arts. 

These two sets of studies—one on pen and ink, and the other, graphite and ink wash on illustration board, were completed in 1973, the same year that Navarro was appointed Director of Graphics of the Design Center of  the Philippines. These significant additions to the National Fine Arts Collection were made by the National Museum of the Philippines through acquisition in 2020 from the late Emma Villanueva Navarro. The Via Crucis or the Stations of the Cross depict the events of the Passion of Christ, from his condemnation to his entombment. 

In 2019, UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), during its 40th session, proclaimed April 15 of every year as World Art Day. This is to “promote the development, diffusion, and enjoyment of art.” Art continues to unite us and connects to us even in the most difficult circumstances—most especially in this time of the pandemic.  

Born in San Jose de Buenavista, Antique, Jeremias “Jerry” Elizalde Navarro graduated from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) with a degree in fine arts in 1951. He pursued his graduate studies in New York City, returned to teach at the University of Santo Tomas, and later on taught at the Randwick University in Australia. Navarro experimented with various media and techniques. He also represented the Philippines in numerous art competitions abroad. Navarro was proclaimed National Artist for Visual Arts in 1999. 

In observance of Holy Week, the National Museum complex in Rizal Park will be closed from Maundy Thursday to Black Saturday. You may view National Artist Navarro’s Via Crucis starting Easter Sunday, as we resume our regular museum hours. Admission is free and walk-in visitors are accepted. 

#WorldArtDay
#GoodFriday
#MuseumFromHome

Text and photos by NMP-FAD

© 2022 National Museum of the Philippines

Launch of Remembering Fernando Amorsolo on his 50th death anniversary
A special exhibition at the Museum Foundation of the Philippines Hall (Gallery X) 

Posted on:  |  National Museum of the Philippines Posted in News and Events.

The #NationalMuseumPH opens a special exhibition on the works of National Artist for Painting Fernando Amorsolo y Cueto (1892-1972).

Inside the Museum Foundation of the Philippines Hall (Gallery X) at the National Museum of Fine Arts is a special exhibition, “Remembering Fernando Amorsolo on his 50th death anniversary.” This gallery features 11 oil paintings of National Artist Fernando Amorsolo from the collection of the Philippine Normal University (PNU), the National Fine Arts Collection (NFAC), and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) which were previously exhibited at the GSIS Northeast Hall (Gallery XX). Also included are two rare oil paintings of his younger brother, Pablo Amorsolo (1898-1945) from the NFAC, which also deserve to be exhibited in this hall alongside his brother’s paintings.

Shown to the public for the first time and one of the main highlights of this exhibition are two noteworthy paintings of Amorsolo from the collection of the Philippine Normal University entitled, “Mother and Child” and “Paoay Church”. These two pre-war works of oil on canvas, completed in 1943 and 1933, respectively, show the mastery of the artist in his use of light and color and were produced during the height of his artistic career. In 2020, the paintings were transferred to the NMP for safekeeping, conservation, and exhibition. The NMP expresses its heartfelt thanks to PNU, represented by its President, Dr. Bert Jazmin Tuga, for its generosity in lending these masterpieces for public appreciation.

Fernando Amorsolo y Cueto was born in Paco, Manila on May 30, 1892. At a young age, he began studying art under his uncle, Fabian de la Rosa, and sold watercolor postcards at a local bookstore for 10 centavos each to help his family. His formal studies in art began at the Liceo de Manila where he gained honors in drawing and painting, after which he enrolled at the University of the Philippines School of Fine Arts (UPSFA), becoming one of its first of its graduates in 1919. He also studied at the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando in Madrid, Spain in 1916 through a grant from entrepreneur Enrique Zobel de Ayala. During his training abroad, he acquired the techniques he needed to improve his art further. His style included rapid, fragmented brushwork in impasto, portraying genre scenes, and landscapes of the countryside that he is known for. After his studies, he worked as a draftsman for the Bureau of Public Works, as an artist at the Pacific Commercial Company, as a part-time instructor in UPSFA and later as its director from 1938 until 1952. He was bestowed the official title “Grand Old Man” with the inauguration of Manila Hilton’s art center on January 23, 1969 exhibiting a selection of his works.

Amorsolo passed away on April 24, 1972 at the age of 79 and was posthumously proclaimed as the first National Artist of the Philippines three days after his death.

Visit us after the Lenten Holidays and head on to Gallery X to view this special exhibition. Admission is free and walk-in visitors are accepted.

#FernandoAmorsolo
#MuseumFromHome

Text and photos by NMP-FAD© 2022 National Museum of the Philippines

Beads and Threads

Posted on:  |  National Museum of the Philippines Posted in Heritage Month.

LET’S LEARN FROM THE CULTURE BEARERS. The #NationalMuseumPH – Eastern Northern Mindanao invites you to a demonstration on “Tuhog” or Manobo beadwork on 28 and 29 May 2022, Saturday and Sunday, from 9 am to 4 pm.

The two-day demonstration will be conducted on-site following the minimum health protocols required by the quarantine status of the Butuan City.

As we celebrate National Heritage Month 2022, with the theme, “PAMANANG LOKAL: Binhi ng Kulturang Pilipino”, your NM-Eastern Northern Mindanao aims to highlight one of the living traditions of the Manobo in Agusan, the making of ornaments such as headdresses, necklaces, and bracelets through “tuhog” or beadwork.
This activity will engage the public, especially elementary and high school students on the tangible and intangible heritage of the Agusan Manobo. This is also to acknowledge and support the role of culture bearers in the transmission and preservation of our heritage.

Aside from the sharing and demonstrations, they will also bring for sale items to be displayed in a designated area at the museum lobby.

This activity is in collaboration with the NMP-Gender and Development Focal Point System (GAD-FPS), NMP Ethnology Division, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP)-Caraga, and Butuan City Council for Culture, Heritage and the Arts.

For further queries on the activity, email us at nationalmuseumbutuan@gmail.com or call and text us at 09190779854.

See you and let us learn together how the Manobo make their colorful beaded ornaments!

Special Artillery Projectiles | San Diego Shipwreck

Posted on:  |  National Museum of the Philippines Posted in Uncategorized.

Special Artillery Projectiles | San Diego Shipwreck

  • Main Poster, Special artillery projectiles including bar shots (bs), and chain shots (cs) from the San Diego shipwreck.

  • Speculative 3D assembly of bar shots from the San Diego shipwreck. Image Source: © 2022 NMP-MUCHD

  • Speculative 3D assembly of chain shots from the San Diego shipwreck. Image Source: © 2022 NMP-MUCHD

  • Double-barreled cannon in Athens, Georgia, USA, invented by John Gilleland in 1862. Image Source: Kaushik Patorwary 2017 from https://bit.ly/3JOMRol, © J. Stephen Conn/Flickr.

This week’s #MaritimeMonday presents the special artillery projectiles including “chain shots” and “bar shots” from the San Diego shipwreck. A previous #MaritimeMonday post highlighted chain shots from the San Diego shipwreck: https://bit.ly/nmp_cshot01. 

Chain shots and bar shots are special artillery projectiles specifically designed to destroy ship riggings and masts to demobilize enemy ships. These projectiles are comprised mainly of two or more lead round shots, half-sphere, and/or hollowed half-sphere cannonballs attached by a short length of either metal chain or metal bar. The San Diego yielded various naval ordnances, artillery pieces, and ammunition including special artillery projectiles such as chain shots and bar shots. The chain shots from the previous #MaritimeMonday post were solid half-sphere cannonballs, while today’s chain shots are hollowed half-sphere shells. The shots were cast from lead with diameters ranging from 8.29 cm to 9.29 cm. The bar shots, on the other hand, were also cast from lead materials with diameters ranging from 6.29 cm to 9.29 cm. There were no actual metal chains or metal bars found at the site. However, the iron concretions on the cannonballs were indicative of the corroded materials that were used to connect the shots. 

There are no explicit comparisons in terms of effective range and impact between the round, half-sphere, and or hollowed half-sphere chain shots. Interestingly, chain shots were thought to be originally designed for two cannons to be fired simultaneously. In 1862, a bizarre cannon was invented by John Gilleland of Athens, Georgia, in the USA. The cannon was forged with two barrels, each with its own touch hole, that was later deemed ineffective. Firing a solid ball chain shot from a common single-barreled cannon would be similar to firing a “double shot” which is comprised of two round shots loaded and fired in one gun. This, also, has been proven ineffective, as double-shooting would lower the gun’s effective range and accuracy. The half-sphere chain shots, on the other hand, can be loaded similar to a single solid round shot, thereby resolving the gun’s accuracy and effectiveness. Lastly, the hollowed chain shots might have been the most refined version, as they can be fired as a single shot, as well as an incendiary grenade. The space created between the two hollowed spheres could be added with explosives or keep the chain from being a drag.  

 Your #NationalMuseumPH is now open to the public with minimum health protocols. Please visit our newly upgraded “300 Years of Maritime Trade in the Philippines” exhibition on the second floor of the National Museum of Anthropology Building. You may also opt to watch the virtual tour of the said gallery here: https://tinyurl.com/300YearsOfMaritimeTradePH. Please monitor our website and social media pages such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for further information and booking arrangements.

#ArtilleryProjectiles
#Barshots
#Chainshots
#SanDiego
#MuseumFromHome
#StaySafeStayHome
#BeatCOVID19

Poster and text by the NMP Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage Division

© 2022 National Museum of the Philippines

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Kabilin: Writing the Filipino Heritage using Gender-Fair Language

Posted on:  |  National Museum of the Philippines Posted in Heritage Month.

Kabilin: Writing the Filipino Heritage using Gender-Fair Language

  • NHM 2022

  • NHM 2022

LET’S LEARN FROM THE CULTURE BEARERS. The #NationalMuseumPH – Eastern Northern Mindanao invites you to a demonstration on “Tuhog” or Manobo beadwork on 28 and 29 May 2022, Saturday and Sunday, from 9 am to 4 pm.

The two-day demonstration will be conducted on-site following the minimum health protocols required by the quarantine status of the Butuan City.

As we celebrate National Heritage Month 2022, with the theme, “PAMANANG LOKAL: Binhi ng Kulturang Pilipino”, your NM-Eastern Northern Mindanao aims to highlight one of the living traditions of the Manobo in Agusan, the making of ornaments such as headdresses, necklaces, and bracelets through “tuhog” or beadwork.

This activity will engage the public, especially elementary and high school students on the tangible and intangible heritage of the Agusan Manobo. This is also to acknowledge and support the role of culture bearers in the transmission and preservation of our heritage.

Aside from the sharing and demonstrations, they will also bring for sale items to be displayed in a designated area at the museum lobby.

This activity is in collaboration with the NMP-Gender and Development Focal Point System (GAD-FPS), NMP Ethnology Division, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP)-Caraga, and Butuan City Council for Culture, Heritage and the Arts.

For further queries on the activity, email NM Butuan at nationalmuseumbutuan@gmail.com or call and text at 09190779854.

See you and let us learn together how the Manobo make their colorful beaded ornaments!

Continue reading

Celebrating the life of Manlilikha ng Bayan Masino Intaray

Posted on:  |  National Museum of the Philippines Posted in Uncategorized.

Today, the #NationalMuseumPH celebrates the life of Manlilikha ng Bayan Masino Intaray, an outstanding storyteller and musical genius well-acquainted with the traditional instruments of the Pala’wan people. 

The Pala’wan, along with the Batak and Tagbanwa, is one of the indigenous communities living in southern Palawan. They are known to be an egalitarian society, firmly believing that no one owns the land, sea, sky, and other natural elements. They value harmony with their natural environment and among themselves that sharing is an inherent part of their community. One of their most important rituals, the tambilaw – a collective cooking and sharing of rice and ritual offering to Ampo’t Paray (god of rice) – is a testament to this. 

Born in Brooke’s Point, Palawan, MB Masino Intaray embodies the characteristics of a Pala’wan whose life is deeply entwined with nature and his community. Aside from mastering the basal (gong ensemble) and kulilal (lyrical poem with lute and zither accompaniment) and bagit (instrumental music depicting the rhythms, movements and sounds of nature), he also plays the aroding (mouth harp) and the babarak (ring flute). 

MB Masino Intaray was also a prolific poet, well-versed in oral traditions such as tultul (epics), sudsungit (narratives), and tuturan (myths of origin and teachings of ancestors). His being attuned to nature, sense of spiritual purpose, and creative memory allowed him to chant for longer hours on successive nights. 

Along with the basal and kulilal ensemble, MB Masino Intaray was conferred the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan in 1993 for his significant contribution to literature and performing arts. He passed away in his hometown at the age of 70 after succumbing to a series of strokes compounded by his diabetes. He left behind his wife and 4 children. His legacy, however, remains in his community, along with his enduring contributions to the rich cultural heritage of the Filipino nation.

#MBMasinoIntaray
#ManlilikhaNgBayan
#GAMABA
#Palawan

Text and poster by the NMP Ethnology Division

Photo courtesy of the NCCA GAMABA Executive Council

© 2022 National Museum of the Philippines