Museo del Galeón: Forging ties through history
MANILA, Philippines - There’s a galleon that will soon sail at the Mall of Asia. Get ready to be further reacquainted with the transpacific exchanges between the Philippines and Mexico when the Galeón museum opens next year.
The corporate launch of Museo del Galeón Inc.’s (MDGI) premier project, The Galeón: Manila-Acapulco Galleon Museum, was held recently. With construction in full swing of a dome-shaped center to surround a life-sized galleon ship, the event jumpstarted the pace for potential partners to contribute to the grand vision of major proponents MDGI chairman and former senator Edgardo J. Angara and Dr. Tomas Calvillo.
The project’s staunch supporter is the Embassy of Mexico with Ambassador Julio Camarena taking the lead to graciously host the intimate affair in his residence. This in itself stood as a symbolic gesture to the special relationship that the Philippines and Mexico have shared for 250 years of the galleon trade. In his welcome address, Camarena was quick to note that this important connection continues through current Mexican presence in the Philippines, particularly seen in art exhibitions, seminars, concerts, festivals and economic investments.
Angara agreed that the ties of these two countries were forged through history. Filipinos and Mexicans involved in the maritime exchange, he said, “laid the foundation for what will become a large cultural, religious, agricultural and human exchange across the Pacific.”
The project is supported by SM Prime Holdings Inc.’s entertainment arm, SM Lifestyle Entertainment, Inc. Its construction is a testament to the on-going collaboration between various nationalities who are experts in the fields of architecture, engineering, curatorial work, traditional naval shipbuilding and lighting design. The Galeón is set to open in the Mall of Asia early next year.
