The Philippine museum community marks a milestone this month as the inaugural recipients of the Ang Museo Gawad are officially honored at a formal gala ceremony.
Scheduled for the evening of October 22 at The National Museum of Natural History, the event establishes the country’s first award-giving body dedicated exclusively to recognizing excellence within the museum and cultural heritage sector.
The Ang Museo Gawad was envisioned by the Museum Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. (MFPI), to give long overdue recognition to museums and those who work tirelessly towards the preservation of our cultural heritage. MFPI, a non-stock non-profit organization, celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. It was founded with the core mandate to champion, assist, and sustain museums across the archipelago. Over the past forty years, the foundation has played an indispensable role in providing vital institutional grants, funding critical conservation initiatives, and conducting sustained educational programs aimed at safeguarding the country's historical legacy.
The selection process began with an open national call for submissions, followed by preliminary screening to verify documentary compliance and institutional qualifications. Longlisted entries were then subjected to a first round of judging conducted by the MFPI Board of Trustees, before advancing to a final deliberative round evaluated by a panel of cultural luminaries and heritage authorities. Entries were assessed against strict criteria: truthfulness and accuracy, achievement of objectives, and for design and innovation.
Lending critical weight and authority to the final evaluation was an esteemed panel of jurors from the very forefront of Philippine heritage conservation, historical research, and institutional governance. The jury included Susan Bautista Afan, President of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation; Gemma Cruz-Araneta, Chairman Emeritus of the Heritage Conservation Society; Jared Carlo Echevarria, an active cultural worker, and community leader; and Roberto P. Encarnacion, founder of the Advocates for Heritage Preservation; Cesar Victor “Cid” Reyes, a prolific author, cultural historian, and publisher; and Isidra P. Reyes, a dedicated heritage protection advocate, historical activist, and archival researcher.
Mr Daniel C. Jacinto, President of the MFPI represented the Foundation on the final jury as non-voting Jury Chair and tie-breaker.
In its maiden staging, the Ang Museo Gawad drew participation not only from established institutional landmarks across Metro Manila, but also from community museums, local historical repositories, and cultural sites in some of the most remote corners of the Philippines. This broad, nationwide engagement reflects the vitality of grassroots heritage work and promises to make the awards night a revelatory showcase of the quiet, dedicated efforts safeguarding Philippine history and memory today.
In attendance at the final round of judging were, from L to R: MFPI Executive Director Tanya Pico; MFPI Trustee Reginald Dimacuha; MFPI Trustee Kara Garilao; Judge Isidra Reyes; MFPI President and Chairman or the Board of Judges, Daniel Jacinto; Judge Susan Bautista Afan; Judge Gemma Cruz-Araneta; MFPI Treasurer Herbert Tuason, Judge Jared Carlo Echevarria, and Judge Cesar Victor "Cid" Reyes. Judge Roberto Encarnacion participated via Zoom.
In attendance at the final round of judging were, from L to R: MFPI Executive Director Tanya Pico; MFPI Trustee Reginald Dimacuha; MFPI Trustee Kara Garilao; Judge Isidra Reyes; MFPI President and Chairman or the Board of Judges, Daniel Jacinto; Judge Susan Bautista Afan; Judge Gemma Cruz-Araneta; MFPI Treasurer Herbert Tuason, Judge Jared Carlo Echevarria, and Judge Cesar Victor "Cid" Reyes. Judge Roberto Encarnacion participated via Zoom.
0 Comments