An official replica of the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map was donated to the Austrian Embassy Manila by Chairman Mel Velasco Velarde of the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC) and the NOW Group.

The Austrian Embassy is among the Embassies of the EU Member States to the Philippines that expressed its support for the peaceful resolution of disputes and the upholding of international law in the 2023 “Local EU Statement on the Anniversary of the Award rendered in the Arbitration between the Republic of the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China on the South China Sea.”

Chairman Velarde and Ambassador Johann Brieger signed the Deed of Donation and Acceptance at the map turnover ceremony, which took place at the Austrian Embassy in the City of Taguig on July 15, 2024.

In Baltimore, NOW Corporation Managing Director Kristian Pura presented an official replica of the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map to AFCEA International on June 26, 2024, the second day of TechNetCyber.

AFCEA International President and CEO Lt. Gen. Susan Lawrence, USA (Ret.) received the map, which is known as the “Mother of all Philippine Maps.” The oldest and first scientific map of the Philippines, the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map was instrumental in the Philippines’ efforts in asserting its territorial rights in the South China Sea.

At the event, Pura also met Brig. Gen Paul Fredenburgh (Ret.), Maj. Gen. Garrett Yee (Ret.), Col. Mike Black (Ret.), Nancy Temple, CW4 Eutimio “Tim” Reyna III (Ret.), and other members of the AFCEA International Leadership Team.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. declared in his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) that the Philippine government will continue upholding its sovereign rights and preserving territorial integrity. In his SONA, President Marcos underscored the importance of unity and social cohesion among the Filipino people, assuring them that the government will not lose any of its territory. “Our journey to progress requires not only unity and social cohesion amongst our people. It is also imperative that our nation remains intact and inviolable, our sovereignty preserved,” President Marcos said. “We will protect our sovereign rights and preserve our territorial integrity, in defense of rules-based international order,” the chief executive added, referring to an international ruling on the West Philippine Sea. President Marcos also emphasized that the Philippine government will continue to pursue constant dialogue and diplomatic approaches to the resolution of any issue that may arise. The chief executive emphasized that the interest of the Philippines and the Filipino people will be given priority in the government’s foreign policy. Source: PCO-PND (Presidential News Desk) Link: https://pco.gov.ph/news_releases/pbbm-vows-to-continue-upholding-ph-sovereign-rights-preserving-territorial-integrity/

One does not need to be a stamp collector to appreciate the new postage stamp unveiled by the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost), which features the “Mother of all Philippine Maps.”

The first scientific map of the Philippines, the “Carta Hydrographica y Chorographica de las Yslas Filipinas Manila 1734,” also known as the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map was prepared by Spanish Jesuit cartographer Father Pedro Murillo Velarde together with two Filipinos–engraver Francisco Suarez and artist Nicolas dela Cruz Bagay.

It was acquired by Mel Velasco Velarde, Chairman of the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC) and the NOW Group, through a Sotheby’s auction in London in 2014. Velarde donated the map to the Philippine government through a deed of donation.

Now, citizens can get their hands on this significant artifact in the form of a stamp.

On March 16, PHLPost honored Philippine history and heritage through the launch of the stamp featuring the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map. It was held at the Philippine Postal Corporation Building in Liwasang Bonifacio, Manila.

Hon. Norman N. Fulgencio, Postmaster General and CEO of PHLPost, expressed his appreciation to the Velarde family: “We are honored to be given by the Velarde family the opportunity to issue this souvenir sheet.” He said the launch of the stamp was organized in commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Philippines’ role in the first circumnavigation of the world.

In his message during the ceremony, Velarde thanked PHLPost for bringing the map closer to the Filipino people. He added, “Today, PHLPost is telling the world that we are one nation deserving of our self-worth and respect, for we are evolving as cultural leaders of this blossoming single global community of man.”

The Murillo Velarde 1734 Map stamp was presented to the Velarde family during the ceremony. Accepting the plaque were Velarde, Vivian F. Salinas, and their 3-month-old baby, Victor Chriscien S. Velarde.

The Murillo Velarde 1734 Map shows the entire Philippine archipelago. It is flanked by two pasted-on side-panels with 12 engravings—intricate illustrations of the early Filipino people and their way of life during the 18th century.

The map was cited as evidence in the maritime case at the UN Arbitral Tribunal under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). It may be used as a visual representation of the country’s sovereign territorial rights.

Launch of the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map Postage Stamp, 16 March 2021

Hon. Norman N. Fulgencio, Postmaster General and CEO of PHLPost, and his wife Cherry DC. Fulgencio present the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map stamp to the Velarde family, who gave permission to PHLPost to reprint the map into stamps. Accepting the plaque were Mel Velasco Velarde, Vivian F. Salinas, and their 3-month-old baby, Victor Chriscien S. Velarde.

Postage stamp featuring the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map, the “Mother of all Philippine Maps”

Mel Velasco Velarde, Chairman of the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC) and the NOW Group

Unveiling of the postage stamp featuring the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map, March 16, 2021

(Left to right) Maximo C. Sta. Maria III, Asst. Postmaster General for Management Support Services; Mel Velasco Velarde, Chairman of the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC) and the NOW Group; Hon. Norman N. Fulgencio, Postmaster General and CEO of PHLPost; Engr. Joel L. Zamudio,Asst. Postmaster General for Operations

Unveiling of the postage stamp featuring the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map, March 16, 2021

(Left to right) Gilbert B. Javier, Director for Mega Manila, PHLPost; Maximo C. Sta. Maria III, Asst. Postmaster General for Management Support Services; Mel Velasco Velarde, Chairman of the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC) and the NOW Group; Hon. Norman N. Fulgencio, Postmaster General and CEO of PHLPost; Engr. Joel L. Zamudio,Asst. Postmaster General for Operations; Maura Baghari-Regis, Asst. Postmaster General for Administration and Finance

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