The Alliance Française de Manille on Friday launched an exhibition featuring rare maps from the 17th to 19th centuries and the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map, known as the “Mother of all Philippine Maps.”
Titled “Scarborough Shoal and the Spratlys in Ancient Maps: An Exhibition,” it featured the map collection of retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, and the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map, acquired by Filipino businessman Mel Velasco Velarde at a Sotheby’s auction in London in 2012.
Velarde said that the “Mother of all Philippine Maps” was used at the arbitration tribunal to back up the Philippines’ right and ownership over the Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
This is the first map that gave a name to Scarborough Shoal, or “panacot” in Tagalog, which means danger.
“I’m not just lending the map to the institution, I’m donating it to the government permanently as long as you will give it a permanent place,” Velarde said, adding that he is very honored to participate in the exhibit, donating the official replica.
SOURCE GMA NEWS