On August 9, 2024, during the donation of the “Mother of All Philippine Maps,” Mel Velarde expressed, “I am profoundly honored to play a part in the return of one of our most invaluable cultural artifacts, a tribute to our enduring spirit and resilience.”
“As my gift to the Filipino people, this 300-year-old 1734 Murillo Velarde Map is a declaration of my gratitude for the privilege of being a Filipino, blessed with a sovereign, democratic, and free homeland. Let this be a beacon of our shared history and an inspiration for generations to come,” Velarde added.
Source: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/08/11/2377007/mother-all-philippine-maps-finds-new-home/amp