Exhibit shows maps as instruments of power, vessels of beauty

MANILA, Philippines - Underlining the importance of maps in widening the world view of the Filipino youth and how maps show that the Philippines is a vital cog in world history, “Putting the Philippines on the Map” exhibit was opened on August 4 at the DFA Bulwagang Apolinario Mabini.

Presenting the collections of Philippine Map Collectors Society (PHIMCOS), the exhibit intends to raise awareness and appreciation of the reading of maps, especially antique maps.  It also aims to trace the emergence of the representation of the Philippines in antique maps. 

In his lecture at the opening of the exhibit, Dr. Leovino Garcia of the Department of Philosophy at the Ateneo de Manila University highlighted the importance of maps as instruments of power, vessels of beauty and as archives of knowledge.

He identified the rare Ramusio-Gastaldi 1554/1563 Terza Ostro Tavola map as the “birth certificate” of the Philippines when the name “Filipina” appeared for the first time on a European document.  This was eleven years after the naming of the archipelago by the Spanish expedition leader Ruy Lopez de Villalobos.

The exhibit is a collaboration of the DFA’s Office of the Undersecretary for International Economic Relations – Cultural Diplomacy Unit (CDU) and the Philippine Map Collectors Society (PHIMCOS). It is open to the public and runs until August 14 at the DFA Lobby.