President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. formally accepted the original Murillo Velarde 1734 map during a turnover ceremony at Malacañang on Friday. Known as the “Mother of all Philippine Maps,” the historical document has played a crucial role in supporting the Philippines’ territorial claims, including its assertions in the West Philippine Sea.
A National Treasure
Created by Spanish Jesuit Friar Pedro Murillo Velarde, with contributions from Filipino artist Francisco Suarez and engraver Nicolas dela Cruz Bagay, the Carta Hydrographica y Chorographica de las Yslas Filipinas is the first scientific map of the Philippine archipelago.
President Marcos highlighted the map’s importance, noting it represents more than just geographic features. “It is as if Murillo Velarde, Sanchez, and Bagay sought to tell the world that ‘Yes, this is a collection of islands, but more than that this is a nation — a nation that is in the making,’” Marcos said.
A Historic Journey Home
The map returned to the Philippines after Filipino businessman Mel Velarde acquired it for $870,000 at a Sotheby’s auction in London in 2014.
Two years later, the centuries-old map became pivotal in the Philippines’ case at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. It served as evidence supporting Manila’s sovereignty over disputed waters in the West Philippine Sea, a ruling that China continues to reject.
“What began as a map of the Philippines in the Spanish era became a formidable piece of evidence in our assertion of our rightful entitlements in the complex legal arena of the 21st century,” Marcos said.
Legacy for Future Generations
President Marcos emphasized the significance of preserving the Murillo Velarde map for future generations, calling it “an important gift from our past that defines the country’s territory.”
The historic document now stands as a testament to the Philippines’ enduring cultural heritage and its continued defense of national sovereignty.