Latest news with #NationalMuseumofthePhilippines
GMA Network
10-07-2025
- GMA Network
A new National Museum is opening soon in Baler
The National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) is set to open a new region branch in Baler, Aurora. The upcoming National Museum of the Philippines Baler was recently previewed at an event held at the museum site, coinciding with the belated celebration of Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day. "This museum is a tribute not only to Aurora's rich cultural and natural heritage but also to the enduring friendship between the Philippines and Spain," said NMP Director-General Jeremy Barns during the event. "Let this museum be a space where heritage is preserved, histories are shared, and new cultural encounters begin," he added. The event was attended by Spanish Ambassador to the Philippines Miguel Utray Delgado, Baler Mayor Rhett Ronan Angara, and National Historical Commission of the Philippines Chairman Regalado Trota Jose, Jr. Designed by renowned architect Ed Calma, NMP Baler will feature exhibitions that reflect the region's identity, shaped by the Sierra Madre mountain range, the Pacific Ocean, and the diverse communities of eastern Luzon, including the Dumagat, Agta, Ilongot-Bugkalot,Tagalogs, and Ilokanos. The National Museum of the Philippines Baler is expected to open to the public later this year. —Hermes Joy Tunac/MGP, GMA Integrated News
Tatler Asia
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
A new Guinness World Record has been set for the largest display of solar-powered lamps
Following the public exhibition, the solar lamps will be donated to communities in Rizal's Talim Island and other areas in Region 4A—bringing renewable light to students and families who need it most. 'Initiatives like the Circle of Light remind us that even the smallest beam can cut through darkness, and that through collective effort, we can illuminate a path forward toward a more inclusive and compassionate society,' says National Museum of the Philippines director-general, Jeremy Barnes. NOW READ Call for entries: Benilde Open Design and Art 2025 How Richard Salvadico and Arlie Sumagaysay use film to rally the cause of the indigenous Tumandok Rockwell is finally opening its much-anticipated Proscenium Theater with the staging of 'The Bodyguard Musical'
GMA Network
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
National Museum of the Philippines loans Juan Luna's 'Una Bulaqueña' to Louvre Abu Dhabi
The National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) has loaned Juan Luna's 'Una Bulaqueña' to the Louvre Abu Dhabi (LAD) in the United Arab Emirates, where it will be displayed until June 2026. According to NMP's post on Facebook, the loan is the first direct collaboration between the two museums, 'signalling a major milestone in the cultural dialogue between the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates.' The unveiling ceremony was attended by His Excellency Chairman of LAD Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak; Ambassador of the Philippines in the UAE His Excellency Alfonso A. Ver; and Deputy Director-General of the NMP Jorell M. Legaspi. Al Mubarak said LAD commits to promoting universality and global cultural exchange. 'With this display of 'Una Bulaqueña,' Abu Dhabi audiences will have the opportunity to discover a great deal about its cultural and art historical context, thereby learning more about the rich and fascinating history of the Philippines,' he said. Ver added that this strengthens the relations between the Philippines and the UAE. 'This significant cultural exchange reflects our shared commitment to fostering understanding and cooperation through art.' LAD director Manuel Rabaté said they're "deeply honored to bring this treasured masterpiece to the Arab world for the first time." He described 'Una Bulaqueña' as a representation of the heritage and identity of the Filipino people. "This exceptional loan strengthens our universal narrative by placing Southeast Asia's voice at the heart of our global dialogue." "Una Bulaqueña," also called "La Bulaqueña," is Luna's painting of a Filipino woman from Bulacan dressed in traditional attire. According to the Cultural Center of the Philippines Encyclopedia of Philippine Art, the woman in the portrait is Emiliana Yriarte Trinidad, who was less than 17 years old when she posed for the painting. She is 'a comely Filipina from an elite provincial family," depicted full figure in the formal dress of the time. 'Her contemplative gaze and upright posture speak volumes about the grace and strength of a Filipina,' NMP added on Facebook. 'The artwork also reflects Luna's mastery of merging the European art traditions of his time with the distinct dynamism of Filipino identity.' The painting survived World War II and was declared a National Cultural Treasure in 2008. It was sold to the NMP in World War II for 200 in Japanese military notes, according to the CCP. —Nika Roque/JCB, GMA Integrated News
Gulf Today
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Louvre hosts cultural treasure ‘Una Bulaquena' of Philippines
Representative of the iron will of a people found in every corner of the world, an oil painting of a 16-year-old elitista provincial lass is now on display at the Louvre Abu Dhabi. This is the 185X87 centimetre rendition of Emiliana Yriarte Trinidad (January 4, 1878-March 22, 1971) by no less than her art instructor, Juan Luna (October 25, 1857-December 7, 1899), completed in 1895; known as 'Una Bulaquena' or 'La Bulaquena.' That was 11 years after Luna – older brother of another Philippine hero, General Antonio Luna (October 29, 1866-June 5, 1899) – won the grand prize at the 1884 Exposicion Nacional de Bellas Artes in Madrid, Spain for his 'La Spolarium,' a mockery on the Spanish conquest of his motherland, featuring dying gladiators. Alongside other scions of wealthy Filipino and Philippine-born Spaniards in Europe, the elder art student Luna, propagated for liberty from Spain. Unveiled last Monday in the presence of Department of Culture and Tourism/Louvre Abu Dhabi chairman Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak and Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso Ferdinand Ver, the painting, which Trinidad herself sold to a 'very influential art collector' at the pre-stages of World War II, is the second to be loaned to the museum. 'It is a continuity of relationship with the Philippines that began several years ago. It came from the necessity to have a beautiful artwork representing Filipino culture, supported by the Philippine Embassy,' Louvre Abu Dhabi director Manuel Rabate told Gulf Today. It was in 2022 when the Ayala Museum brought to Louvre Abu Dhabi from among its gold artifacts collection, a funerary mask from Butuan, Agusan del Norte and a cup from Nabua, Camarines Sur, dating 10th to 13th centuries -- still on exhibit. According to National Museum of the Philippines deputy director general Jorelle Legaspi, the one-year-stay of 'Una Bulaquena' in the UAE is historic. It is the first time that this 2008-declared National Cultural Treasure of the Philippines would be shared globally through another country. Related Legaspi: 'Emiliana Yriarte Trinidad had the foresight to sell her portrait to a very influential art collector, actually the National Museum of the Philippines in the 1940s.' Leafing through the archives of the museum that began operating in 1901, Legaspi said 'Una Bulaquena' escaped from the near obliteration of Manila, a consequence of the city's 1944-1945 liberation from the Japanese Imperial Army by the American forces, as 'that art collector' decided to have Malacanang, the Presidential Palace, as its repository. ''Una Bulaquena' still exists because of Emiliana's willpower to protect it from the war. Many of our best collections, works of art, and national treasures were lost or destroyed during the Battle of Manila. Both are a story of a strong, independent woman, of quiet confidence, of survival and resilience. It was not until 1986 that the National Museum was able to retrieve the painting and put it under it care within the museum itself,' Legaspi said. On the possibility that Louvre Abu Dhabi be the temporary home of other Filipino masterpieces, Rabate said: 'We showcase the connection of cultures. We are always sensitive to moments in the history of art where there is an encounter between different identities. This painting reflects that, highlighting the Western influence that is also part of Juan's legacy, while also speaking deeply about Filipino identity. We will have other partnerships, whether in permanent galleries or temporary exhibitions. The 'Asian Roads of Exchange' is a key project in 2026.' On the possibility that the National Museum of the Philippines would also host UAE artifacts and treasures, Legaspi said: 'We are definitely open to the idea. Whenever we have a museum-to-museum partnership, it is always important that we can provide the same care as what our partner would expect. We are working very hard towards that.' Ambassador Ver said 'Una Bulaquena' in the UAE 'is a testament to the expanding relations, not only through labour migration, but to the strengthening of bilateral ties, in different and previously untapped fields.' From Abu Dhabu-based multi-awarded artist-musician Sky Biscocho: 'It is always a joy and honour when artists' works are showcased internationally.' From Dubai-based gallerist Carlo Garrido: 'It was a powerful, emotional moment when I saw it. It shines a spotlight on the world class artistry we bring to the global stage.'
Filipino Times
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Filipino Times
Juan Luna's ‘Una Bulaqueña' now on display at Louvre Abu Dhabi
Filipino painter Juan Luna's iconic artwork, 'Una Bulaqueña,' is now on display at Louvre Abu Dhabi. The famous oil painting, showing a young woman from Bulacan in traditional Filipino dress, is part of the museum's permanent galleries and will be on view for a year, until June 2026. This is the first direct collaboration between Louvre Abu Dhabi and the National Museum of the Philippines, marking stronger cultural ties between the UAE and the Philippines. From left: Manuel Rabaté, Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi; Mr. Jorell M. Legaspi, Deputy Director-General of the National Museum of the Philippines; H.E. Alfonso A. Ver, Philippine Ambassador to the UAE; Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Louvre Abu Dhabi; and Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani، Undersecretary of the Department of Culture and Tourism His Excellency Alfonso A. Ver, Philippine Ambassador to the UAE, said the display of Una Bulaqueña proves how strong the friendship is between the two nations. 'The loan of Una Bulaqueña, a National Cultural Treasure painting by Juan Luna, shows the ever-deepening and dynamic bilateral relations of the two countries. This significant cultural exchange reflects our shared commitment to fostering understanding and cooperation through art. The Philippine Embassy is truly honored to witness this momentous occasion and reaffirms its commitment to promoting cultural dialogue between the Philippines and the UAE,' Ambassador Ver said. Meanwhile, Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Louvre Abu Dhabi, said the painting's presence reflects the museum's mission to connect cultures worldwide. 'With this display of Una Bulaqueña, Abu Dhabi audiences will have the opportunity to discover a great deal about its cultural and art historical context, thereby learning more about the rich and fascinating history of the Philippines,' Al Mubarak said during the unveiling ceremony. Painted in 1895 and declared a National Cultural Treasure in 2008, Una Bulaqueña mixes European art with Filipino identity during Spanish rule. The painting is displayed between Auguste Renoir's 'La Tasse de Chocolat' and Edouard Manet's 'The Bohemian,' adding a Southeast Asian piece to the museum's portrait collection. Manuel Rabaté, Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi, said the artwork supports the museum's goal to tell stories from different cultures. 'At Louvre Abu Dhabi, we are deeply honored to bring this treasured masterpiece to the Arab world for the first time, in collaboration with the National Museum of the Philippines. Juan Luna's painting, with its quiet dignity and rootedness in Filipino heritage, resonates deeply with our mission as the cultural flagship of the UAE—to tell stories that cross borders, uphold identity, and expand understanding through art,' he said. Jorell Legaspi, Deputy Director-General for Museums of the National Museum of the Philippines, shared that lending Una Bulaqueña makes the National Museum both sentimental and proud. 'We are heartened by the thought that this painting will bring a sense of familiarity and belonging to thousands of Filipinos across the United Arab Emirates and the greater Middle East,' Legaspi said. Una Bulaqueña survived the turmoil of World War II and was safeguarded by the National Museum of the Philippines, making its arrival at Louvre Abu Dhabi both an artistic highlight and a historical milestone.
