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| 1734 Murillo Velarde Philippine Map on display at the National Museum of the Philippines - Cebu |
One of the current Exhibits at the National Museum of the Philippines - Cebu is the "Classics of Philippine Cartography" in partnership with PHIMCOS showcasing Philippine and Cebu maps from the 16th to 20th Centuries. This gallery will be available until January 2026.
The most prized map on display is the 1734 Philippine Map made by Jesuit Priest, Fr. Pedro Murillo Velarde assisted by Filipino artisans like Nicolas de la Cruz Bagay and Francisco Suarez.
Fr. Murillo Velarde's map was the quintessential model for other mapmakers and cartographers of that era. What is unique about the original are the 12 vignettes surrounding the main map. Depictions of inhabitants both foreign and local, everyday life, Intramuros, Cavite, and Zamboanga are among the renditions.
And of course, proof that Panacot (Scarborough Shoal) is within our jurisdiction from that time until now. One of the copies of this map was used in the UN deliberation.
Another trivia about this particular copy of the Murillo Velarde map on display is that it is owned by a scion of the Ongpin family (e.g. heirs of Roman and Alfonso Ongpin). Plus, they can trace their ancestry to Damian Domingo, the first recognized Filipino painter who set-up an Art Academy in the early decades of the 19th Century. They are also PHIMCOS members.
For Cebuanos, if you look closely you can see some of the major towns and cities within the province albeit with different spelling. (e.g. Cabcar, Bolhon, Daraguete, Bantayan, etc.).
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| Cebu Island - 1734 Philippine Map by Fr. Pedro Murillo Velarde |
Albay is shown with Mount Mayon, but I couldn't find our hometown. But My Dad will be happy because Apalit, Pampanga, is shown prominently.
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| Central Luzon - 1734 Philippine Map by Fr. Pedro Murillo Velarde |
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| Albay, Bicol - 1734 Philippine Map by Fr. Pedro Murillo Velarde |
Visit the Museum and spend an hour or two viewing their different galleries, especially this specific one, since it's not a permanent exhibit.
National Museum of the Philippines Cebu is open Mondays-Sundays, 9AM-5PM. It is located right beside Plaza Independencia.
I'll be writing more about Philippine Maps. Keep an eye out for it on my blog, www.thevisualtraveler.net.
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| Margaux Camaya and the 1734 Murillo Velarde Philippine Map |
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#PhilippineMaps
#PhilippineHistory
#OldCebuNostalgia
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