PA gets replica of ‘Mother of All Philippine Maps’

The Philippine Army (PA) formally received an official replica of the so-called “Mother of All Philippine Maps” or the first-ever scientific map of the country Tuesday.
(Photo By: Philippine Army, Public Domain)

MANILA — The Philippine Army (PA) formally received an official replica of the so-called “Mother of All Philippine Maps” or the first-ever scientific map of the country Tuesday.

The replica was handed by Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC) chair Mel V. Velarde to PA commanding general, Lt. Gen. Glorioso Miranda, during simple ceremonies at the Army Museum in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

“The importance of this map cannot be denied. This will form part of our heritage right. We are going to take care of it and sooner or later the future generation would know who we really are,” the PA chief said.

“It is not only a donation, it is a reawakening item telling us who we really are.”

The “Mother of All Philippine Maps” otherwise known as the 1734 Murillo Velarde Map was procured by Velarde through an auction by Sotheby’s in the United Kingdom in 2014.

The Scarborough Shoal and Spratly Islands are visible in the map. It serves as a reminder of the country’s sovereignty and territorial rights which the PA has pledged to protect.

“This contribution is nothing compared to the contribution you are doing. One day your contribution will be more than enough and what you individually can do, collectively you will be triumphant and we are sure of that,” the AIJC chief stressed.

Velarde donated the original copy of the map to the national government through the Office of the Solicitor General.