opez Museum presents “Trajectories,” ongoing until Dec. 20, 2013. Here are 8 awesome reasons to go see it.


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On Oct. 5, 2013, an earlier version of this painting by Juan Luna sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong for over US$ 3 million! No news yet on who bought the painting though. Nor is there news if and when this will be shown in public again.

You can travel all the way to Cadiz, Spain to see the other version or you can just drop by the museum and you can stare at this fabulous work of art. All. Day. Long.

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In fact it’s almost as old the Philippines itself! The oldest book in their collection, “De Moluccis Insulis,” is a report written by Maximilianus Transylvanus after he interviewed the survivors of Victoria, the only surviving galleon from Magellan’s 1521 expedition.

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Speaking of old, the Murillo Velarde Map, first published in 1734, is the first map of our country that was made by a Filipino, Nicolas Cruz Bagay, and printed in the Philippines. It was the most accurate and largest ever drawn map of the archipelago and became a model copied by other cartographers for the remainder of the 18th century.

Want to see if the currently disputed territories surrounding the Philippines are in the map? Drop by and find out.

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This work by National Artist for Visual Arts Jose Joya was sent as our country’s entry the very first time ever that the Philippines participated in 1964 at the Venice Biennale—the granddaddy of art biennales!

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This painting by Magsaysay Ho, acquired by the museum at the 1999 Christie’s auction in Singapore, broke the record for the most expensive Filipino artwork ever sold at an auction, and thus, paved the way for Filipino artists to gain higher international recognition.

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Juan Arellano, a significant figure in Philippine architecture, designed the Philippine Post Office, National Museum, and the Metropolitan Theatre. See some of his works at the exhibition.

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The significant others of Luna and Hidalgo, Paz Pardo de Tavera and Maria Yrritia, both met tragic ends to their lives—Paz from a gunshot wound and Maria when the ship she was in sank. Learn all the juicy details during the FREE guided tours of the museum.

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Want a selfie with your favorite artwork? No problem! While most museums prohibit taking photos, Lopez Museum not only allows you to take pictures (without flash) but even provides you with materials to sketch inside their galleries!

Lopez Museum and Library, Benpres Bldg., Exchange Rd. cor. Meralco Ave., Pasig City. Contact 631-2417 or lmmpasig@gmail.com.

Have you been to this exhibition? Are you thinking of going? Share your experiences and thoughts in the Comments Section below.

Robin Reyes

Robin Reyes believes that jazz hands and spirit fingers are the keys to success in life.

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