Maps as national symbols

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AT the recent International Conference on Cartography in Philippine history, Tom Harper, lead curator of Antiquarian Maps at the British Library, UK, presented the “mapping history” of the Philippines which was done by him together with two colleagues – map librarian of the British Museum R.A. Skelton and Filipino historian Carlos Quirino. That this mapping explains the influence of the Portugal, Italy, Holland, England, and Spain through the Italians, the Dutch, the English, and Spain on our local cartography. But sadly, the global significance of this mapping history did not make much impact on our people, according to National Artist for Historical Literature Carlos Quirino who noted that practically, nobody today knows very much about Philippine maps.

The conference last Wedneday at the Instituto Cervantes in Intramuros was organized by the Asian Institute of Journalism and Instituto Cervantes with support from the Hispanex Program of the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sports. It aimed to promote a deeper understanding of the relevance of cartography for Philippine history, with special focus on the Murillo-Velarde map. As some may know, the map was a donation to the Filipino people by Chair and CEO of the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication and NOW Corporation Mel V. Velarde who purchased the map at a Sotheby auction in London.

On the Murillo-Verde map, Harper says that it is its symbolic significance which is particularly interesting. Sure, it is the first map to have been conceived, created, engraved, painted, and published in the Philippines and it has come to function as a symbol of Philippine cartography and of national pride. It is the Philippines’ national map. It shares the status with important cartographic milestones from other nations. A testament to its quality is that it is a “must have” map among the top collectors worldwide.

Dr. Carlos Madrid, director of Instituto Cervantes, welcomed the participants , among them Supreme Court Acting Chief Justice, Antonio Carpio, the guest of honor, Filipino and foreign scholars and researchers on Philippine history, geography, and culture, journalists, and officials and staff members of local museums. Dr. Ambeth R. Ocampo of the Department of History of the Ateneo de Manila University was the conference keynote speaker.

The other speakers were Mel V. Velarde, Prof. Carlos Villoria, historian from Almeria, Spain, Prof. Marya S.T. Camacho of the Department of History of the University of Asia and the Pacific, Tom Harper, Jaime Camacho, president of the Philippine Map Collectors Society, Mr. Jaime Gonzales, president of the Philippines Maps Collectors Society, and Ms. Almudena Morales Asensio, Alcadesa Presidenta of the City Hall of Laujar de Andarax, hometown of Murillo-Velarde, Vice Mayor Agustin Cabrera of Laujar de Andarax, and Valericano Sanchez Ramos, the last of the Murillo-Velardes.

The conference was broadcast via live streaming by NOW Corporation. My e-mail: florangel.braid@gmail.com