RP revisits Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade

MANILA, Philippines - In celebration of the Dia del Galeon (Day of the Galleon), the Philippines will revisit the Manila-Acapulco trade route through a series of workshops, performances, tours and seminars that will be held throughout the country with the special participation of Spain, Mexico and Latin America.

“The history of Manila is inextricably linked with the galleon trade. As such, the historic Manila-Acapulco galleon trade marked the beginnings of globalization,” says Dia del Galeon honorary chairman, former Senator Edgardo J. Angara,

With the theme, “Habitat, Heritage, History and Language: Continental Connectivity,” the celebration, spearheaded by the Baler 400 Steering Committee and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), will kick off on Sept. 15 with “Artes Talleres and Spectaculos: the Workshop” to be held at the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and the National Museum. The three-week interdisciplinary festival of workshops, demonstrations, exhibits and performances will participated by the representatives from the country, and all other continents that have participated in the galleon trade in the 16th century.

On the other hand, “Juana La Loca,” a play by Mexican playwright Miguel Sabido, will be staged in the Philippines with highlights on the fusion of Spanish and Filipino languages in a unique intercultural dialogue that involves a multinational cast.

As a culminating activity, “Encuentro” will provide an avenue for an intercultural dialogue for workshop participants and guests and will include presentations and creative industry exhibits. Also included in “Encuentro” are the declarations for a global and unified action for the preservation of cultural diversity and heritage that will aid the advancement of the welfare of seafarers.

The five-day educational trip Viaje del Galeon will be launched on Oct. 8 and will ply the Manila to Cebu route with on-board activities and heritage tours upon docking, as well as interactive performances and galleon trade significant reenactments with themes such as biodiversity protection and climate change.

For details, call Rene Napeñas, head of the NCCA-Public Affairs and Information Office (PAIO), at 0927-5582656, 527-5529, 527-2192 (loc. 612-615), e-mail ncca.paio@gmail.com or diadelgaleon@yahoo.com.