THE MUSÉE du Quai Branly in Paris opened its biggest exhibition dedicated solely to Philippine artifacts titled Philippines: Archipel des échanges (Archipelago of Exchanges) last April 9. It will run until July 24.
According to UST Archivist Regalado Trota Jose, who helped organize the event, the historical artifacts were culled from local and foreign museums, as well as from private collections. Some were lent by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, while others were among the archeological discoveries of French explorer and naturalist Alfred Marche in the 1880’s.
The exhibit focuses on the history of early Filipinos, especially the network of exchanges between cultures and vernaculars from different places in the country.
Among the pieces on display are the carved figurines of the rice granary gods of the Ifugaos known as the Bulol. Carved in narra wood, the figurines are believed to bring wealth and prosperity. Considered as the oldest pieces on display, the figurines had been carbon-dated and revealed to be made around the 1400’s.
Also featured is the Boxer Codex, a brightly illustrated manuscript which depicts the lives of pre-colonial Filipinos. One of the Codex’s illustrations presents an ethnic Filipino couple donned in silken robes, golden necklaces and other accessories. The Codex was lent to the exhibit by the Lilly Library of the University of Indiana.
Golden necklaces, belts, earrings, bracelets and death masks made of thin sheets of gold excavated mostly from the Visayas and Mindanao are also being showcased. They are from the collection of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington. Included in the collection are Bagobo blouses made of mother-of-pearl, as well as armor believed to bring courage to the Bagobo warriors.
Maps and timelines detailing the history of the early Filipinos’ settlements across the archipelago, as well as photographs of different ethnic groups in the country, are also featured.
Aside from the exhibit, the museum offers a celebration of the Philippine culture through a series of cultural performances and workshops centered on Filipino languages and art forms.
The exhibit has been well-received by Europeans and was even featured on the evening edition of the top French newspaper, Le Monde.
“Beyond religion, beyond beliefs, mayroon kang makikitang nagbubuklod sa ating bayan in terms of language, [and] in terms of art…Ang point nito, although isang bayan tayo, marami tayong klase ng kultura na dapat ipagmalaki at dapat alagaan,” Jose said.
The exhibit is held in partnership with the National Commission of Culture and the Arts (NCCA), where Jose heads the Subcommission on Cultural Heritage. Corazon Alvina, a professor at the UST Graduate School's Cultural Heritage Studies program, and Constance de Monbrison of the Musée du Quai Branly, are the curators.
Its opening was graced by French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault and Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay.
