#𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆𝗣𝗛 𝗟𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝟴𝟬 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀

One of the centers of the exhibit is the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map, known as the “Mother of all Philippine Maps.” Filipino businessman, Mel Velasco Velarde acquired the map at Sotheby’s auction in London in 2012, and entrusted it to NLP for permanent display. This map was used at the arbitration tribunal in claiming our rights over the West Philippine Sea.

The gallery features a remarkable array of historical artifacts from the Spanish colonial era, including Antonio de Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas, annotated by Dr. José Rizal; De Moluccis Insulis; and Vocabulario de la Lengua Tagala. Visitors will also find significant works from the Propaganda Movement, such as Pedro Paterno’s Ninay: Costumbres Filipinas, and publications like La Solidaridad. Noteworthy are the original manuscripts of Dr. José Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere, El Filibusterismo, and Mi Último Adios, which was also declared as National Cultural Treasures on the said event.

Additionally, the gallery showcases pivotal documents related to the birth of the Philippine Republic. Among these are the Acta de la Proclamación de Independencia del Pueblo Filipino (the August 1, 1898 declaration of Philippine Independence), the Marcha Nacional Filipina, a letter by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo describing the Philippine Flag design, and a replica of Juan Luna’s Bandera Filipina. A copy of the Promulgated Constitution of the First Philippine Republic, drafted on January 22, 1899, and written in Spanish, is also featured, along with other significant artifacts.

As part of its mission to preserve and conserve the country’s cultural treasures, NLP has modernized its facilities and transformed what was once a vault of limited-access collections into a public gallery, enhancing Filipino appreciation for these invaluable treasures.

According to NLP Director IV Cesar Gilbert Q. Adriano the opening of the NLP Permanent Gallery and the declaration of our National Cultural Treasures underscore the significance of these literary and historical masterpieces. He also stated that this initiative reaffirms NLP’s commitment to preserving and promoting Philippine cultural heritage for future generations.

The gallery’s launch was attended by First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos and Department of Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” A. Angara and Heads of different cultural agencies reflecting the importance of this cultural milestone.

NLP will soon announce the official date for the gallery’s public opening. To receive the latest updates and additional information, please follow the NLP’s social media pages.