Filipino treasures to get a modern new home

MANILA, Philippines - When my mom does her banking at the Benpres Building in Ortigas Center, I retreat to a place that’s become a favorite haunt over the years: The Lopez Memorial Museum & Library. Founded in 1960 by Don Eugenio Lopez Sr. to honor his parents, Benito Lopez and Presentacion Hofilaña, it feels less like a museum than someone’s beautifully decorated home — if the décor consisted of priceless treasures from the Philippines’ foremost artists, that is.

In addition to Don Eugenio’s personal collection of rare Filipiniana books, manuscripts, maps, and archeological artifacts, the galleries house paintings by 19th-century Filipino masters Juan Luna y Novicio, Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, as well as 20th-century National Artist Fernando Amorsolo.

As a writer I’m even more excited by their collection of Rizaliana: some 90 priceless letters from Jose Rizal to his mother and sisters, his billfold and brushes, flute, and personal papers from Dapitan, Hong Kong, and Europe.

I have yet to fully explore the library, which has reportedly amassed over 20,000 Filipiniana books, with new titles added all the time. Rare Philippine imprints date from the early 17th century — the oldest being the 1620 Belarmin-Lopez Doctrina in Ilocano.

We talked to Don Eugenio’s granddaughter, museum director Mercedes “Cedie” Lopez-Vargas, about how the Lopez Museum is preserving Philippine arts and letters, and making it relevant and interesting for future generations.

When did Don Eugenio Sr. start collecting rare Filipiniana? What was his first piece of Filipiniana?

CEDIE LOPEZ-VARGAS: Don Eugenio Sr. began collecting in the 1950s in pursuit of rare Filipiniana books. During his travels in which he would be away three to five months of the year in all parts of the world, he would visit antiquarian book dealers and inquire about any publications that made reference to the Philippines.  In this way, he slowly built what has become one of the most comprehensive Filipiniana book collections in the country.

What initially sparked his interest? And how did it grow and develop over the decades?

According to my father, my grandfather’s interest in collecting grew out of his deep and abiding love of country, his lifelong love affair with books and his incorrigible passion for travel.

What was his most prized acquisition?

Although his collection would grow to encompass art, pottery, rare maps, manuscripts, periodicals, photographs, and Rizaliana, among others, Don Eugenio Sr.’s most prized acquisition was, as his collection began, a rare book: the Doctrina Christiana of 1620, translated into Ilocano by Father Francis Lopez, an Augustinian friar.  This was the earliest Philippine imprint he would acquire in his lifetime and the closest he came to the sought-after 1593 edition, the first book to ever be published in the Philippines.

What drew him to the works of Juan Luna and Felix Hidalgo, in particular?

He considered Luna and Hidalgo, along with Jose Rizal, “los tres genios de la raza.”  Luna and Hidalgo were the first Filipino painters to gain international recognition, earning honors and prizes in competitions against European painters.  For many Filipinos of that generation, their artistic successes were confirmation of our worth as a people and reflected a momentous period in our nation’s history in anticipation of our independence.

Will the Lopez Museum expand in its new space in The Proscenium? Is the museum still acquiring more artifacts and fine art?

Rather than expanding through acquisitions, the Lopez Museum will be expanding its physical spaces at its new location in The Proscenium, opening an opportunity for greater access to its extensive holdings. At present, the museum is focused on sharing its collections with the public and safeguarding its treasures through an ardent preservation and conservation program.

Why did you choose Carlos Ott as the architect?

Rockwell recognized Carlos Ott for his unparalleled skill in designing iconic buildings. Ott has projects in China, Singapore, Argentina and France, and The Proscenium is his first work in the Philippines. With two visionaries, Rockwell and Carlos Ott, working on the Proscenium, we are excited to have the Lopez Museum housed in this exceptional development.

What was your vision for the theater and what sort of events/shows do you plan to hold there?

Rockwell’s goal for the performing arts theater at the Proscenium is to provide a venue where more Filipinos can enjoy philharmonic shows, musicals, opera works, ballet, theater, and concerts. Rockwell envisions the 600-seater theater to be an intimate, state-of-the-art venue that will showcase both classical and contemporary works for the Proscenium’s residents, the Rockwell community, and its patrons.

What are the future projects of the museum and library?

In our mission to further engage our audiences and safeguard our collective patrimony, we have embarked upon a digitization project, are strengthening our public programming, and have established a conservation center. The Roberto M. Lopez Conservation Center is committed to the restoration and preservation of our museum and library collections, specializing accordingly in paintings on canvas and wood, artworks and artifacts on paper, and books.

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The Lopez Memorial Museum is currently located on the ground floor of the Benpres Building, Exchange Road corner Meralco Avenue, Pasig City. Viewing hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays to Saturdays.