The Philippine Center New York Core Collection of 1974

A Homecoming Exhibition

15 February 2021 to 13 February 2022

National Museum of Fine Arts
National Museum of the Philippines
Padre Burgos Avenue 1001 Manila, Philippines

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In celebration of the National Arts Month this February, the #NationalMuseumPH in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Philippine Center Management Board-New York, and the Office of Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, presents a Homecoming Exhibition of the Philippine Center New York Core Collection of 1974 in the National Museum of Fine Arts. This exhibition will run from February 15, 2021 until February 13, 2022.

The Philippine Center, located at 556 5th Avenue, New York City was established on May 10, 1973 by virtue of Presidential Decree 188 signed into law by President Ferdinand Marcos. The Philippine Center was mandated “to nurture, promote and propagate Philippine Culture, to encourage foreign tourists to visit the Philippines, to expand the foreign market for Philippine products, to provide efficient and comprehensive public service in the country and abroad, and in general to enhance the image of the Philippines”.

First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos tapped National Artist Arturo Rogerio Luz and designer Wili Fernandez to gather and purchase artworks to represent Filipino identity and to showcase Filipino artistry. The Philippine Center Core Collection of 1974, originally comprising of 120 works of art were acquired through Galerie Bleue and Luz Gallery. Luz and Fernandez were assisted by artists Mauro Malang Santos and National Artist Jerry Elizalde Navarro. These were then displayed for the inauguration of the Philippine Center in New York on November 14, 1974.

The National Museum of the Philippines borrowed 115 works for this exhibition. Nine out of the 52 artists represented in the collection have since 1974 been awarded the distinction of National Artist, namely Federico Aguilar Alcuaz, Ang Kiukok, Benedicto Cabrera, Jose Joya, Cesar Legaspi, Arturo Luz, Vicente Manansala, Jerry Elizalde Navarro and Hernando Ocampo.

Also featured in the collection are works by Manuel Rodriguez Sr. also known as the ‘Father of Philippine Printmaking,’ and several outstanding prints by Romulo Olazo, Rodolfo Samonte and Rod Paras-Perez. The collection further comprises notable artists Mauro Malang Santos, Solomon Saprid, Juvenal Sansó, Manuel Baldemor, Augusto Albor, Cid Reyes and Raul Isidro, among others, including Norma Belleza and Lilian Hwang who were the only female artists represented.

After forty-seven years, these 115 works of art are now home for the first time and are on temporary exhibition at the National Museum of Fine Arts so that the Filipino public at large might have the opportunity to appreciate them and recognize the artistic excellence that strongly promoted – and continues to promote – Filipino heritage, expression and talent to the world.

We hope that visitors will soon have the chance to view the exhibition physically before the works again leave our shores and return to New York City on the other side of the world. While this is not yet possible, please watch this space for the 360-degree tour of the exhibition as we launch this exhibition virtually.

In the meantime, remember to wash your hands regularly, wear your face mask and face shield, and practice social distancing to contribute to the country’s efforts to #BeatCOVID19.