Philippine gold exhibit part of Asia Society’s 60th anniversary celebration

red line

red line

Rachel Cooper of Asia Society holds up an exhibit flier. With her in the panel, from left: Adriana Proser, Kira Danganan-Azucena, Florina Capistrano-Baker, and Loida Nicolas-Lewis. The FilAm Photos

Rachel Cooper of Asia Society holds up an exhibit flier. With her in the panel, from left: Adriana Proser, Florina Capistrano-Baker, Kira Danganan-Azucena, and Loida Nicolas-Lewis. The FilAm Photos

By Cristina DC Pastor

The exhibit, “Philippine Gold: Treasures of Forgotten Kingdoms,” will be part of Asia Society’s programming leading up to its 60th anniversary in 2016.

Asia Society President Josette Sheeran made the remark during a July 21 briefing, stressing the importance of the exhibit to the museum’s programming for the year. The gold exhibit will on view from September 11, 2015 to January 3, 2016.

“We couldn’t be more honored to bring the Philippines front and center in the New York community and in the global community,” said Sheeran.

The exhibit, the first of its kind outside of the Philippines, showcases a collection of about 120 of gold objects excavated around Butuan from the 10th through the 13th century.

In a statement, Asia Society states that many works affirm the “unprecedented creativity, prosperity and sophisticated metalworking tradition of the precolonial period.

“They also attest to the flourishing cultural connections and maritime trade in Southeast Asia during what was an early Asian economic boom.”

Asia Society is both “grateful and privileged” to be hosting the Philippine exhibit, said Executive Vice President Tom Nagorski.

Asia Society President  Josette Sheeran: ‘We couldn’t be more honored.’

Asia Society President Josette Sheeran: ‘We couldn’t be more honored.’

“To many Americans, they think that Asia is a place that was poor and beaten by war,” he said, keynoting the briefing. Exhibits like this one promote “cultural understanding” that address any “deficit” of information about the region.

The briefing offered a glimpse into the program of activities lined up for the duration of the exhibit. They were presented by curators Florina Capistrano-Baker of the Ayala Museum, and Adriana Proser of Asia Society.

The exhibit will be organized into four sections: ‘Archaeology’ will present a hoard of gold objects discovered in a village near Butuan; ‘Trade’ will highlight early interactions among trading partners in Asia-Pacific; ‘The Kingdom of Butuan’ will focus on the array of personal adornments and family heirloom found in this region; and ‘Surrounding Kingdoms’ will document how gold was widely used in early times and has spread throughout the region.

“Nobody knew about these objects built by our ancestors until now,” said Loida Nicolas Lewis, one of the chairpersons of the Philippine Gold Benefit Committee.

“This is truly a groundbreaking exhibit,” echoed co-curator Baker. “The materials are largely unknown outside and even within the Philippines, hidden from public view.”

Added Lewis, “It is our responsibility as FilAms to bring our friends and relatives to the exhibit” and show them a part of pre-colonial history not known to many.

“Philippine history,” she said, “did not start with the coming of Magellan. It started way, way back.”

Deputy Consul General Kira Danganan-Azucena said the Philippine Consulate is eyeing exhibit tours for young FilAms and school children and will coordinate with organizations that service them.

Asked if the gold objects have finally arrived in New York, the curators would not say where the gold objects are currently, citing security issues.

Co-curator Adriana Proser of Asia Society said there is a lot of interest in the “flourishing civilization” during the early centuries in the Asia-Pacific. The Philippine exhibit, she added, will provide some missing information.

The briefing was attended by members of the Filipino community and the media. About 50 people came to listen to the presentation, among them leaders of organizations such as Consuelo Almonte of Pagasa Social Foundation for senior, Aida Bartolome of the Foundation for Filipino Artists, Raul Cajigas of the Association of Fil-Am Teachers of America, Agnes Jamora of the Philippine-American Chamber of Commerce, and Corge Reyes representing the Association of Philippine Physicians in America and two other groups.

Part of the community that attended the breakfast briefing. Photo by Elton Lugay

Part of the community that attended the breakfast briefing. Photo by Elton Lugay

red line

 



Leave a Reply

%d bloggers like this: