AIJC congratulates P-Pop group 1st One for bringing historic Murillo Velarde 1734 Map to the global stage

The Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC) congratulates P-Pop group 1st One on their new song, MYV or Map Your Vibe, which they debuted on the global stage at 2025 ROUND, the ASEAN-Korea Music Festival in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on June 21.

The song deeply resonates with Filipinos’ identity as a people. As the song goes, “Walang paroroonan nang hindi alam sa’n nagmula. So don’t be scared. Map your vibe.” 1st One delivers a powerful anthem that reminds Filipinos that no matter how far they go globally, their roots remain an essential part of who they are.

This song was inspired by the historic Murillo Velarde 1734 Map, the country’s first scientific map known as the “Mother of all Philippine Maps.”

Mr. Mel V. Velarde, Chairman of the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC), donated an original Murillo Velarde 1734 Map to the Philippine government upon acquiring it from a Sotheby’s auction in London. The map played an important role in the country’s legal victory in the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling on the West Philippine Sea. It serves as a tool for understanding the nation’s maritime rights.

This month, 1st One was named cultural partner and bearer of the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map, as part of the campaign titled, “Mapa Natin, Kwento Natin.”

As part of their new role, 1st One members Ace, Max, Alpha, J, Joker, and Jason turned over a commemorative map to Sentro Rizal Kuala Lumpur at the Philippine Embassy in Malaysia where Consul General Roussel Reyes formally received the map on June 21.

Produced by Spanish Jesuit priest Pedro Murillo Velarde with two Filipinos, Francisco Suarez and Nicolas dela Cruz Bagay, the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map is currently on display at the Permanent Gallery of the National Library of the Philippines.