1 Address by Dr. Leovino Ma. Garcia Dean of the School of Humanities at the Opening Ceremonies of the Map Exhibit “Putting the Philippines on the Map:The Belgian Contribution” Antique Maps from the Juana Madriaga Garcia-Natividad Galang Fajardo Collection Rizal Library, Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City 17 February 2005, 7:00 P.M. Fr. Bienvenido F. Nebres, S.J., President of the Ateneo de Manila University Your Excellency, Ambassador Christiaan Tanghe of the Royal Belgian Embassy in ManilaYour Excellencies and Distinguished Guests from the Diplomatic CommunityAdministrators, Faculty, Staff, and Students of the Ateneo de Manila University, of the Loyola Schools, and last but not least, of the School of Humanities, a warm welcome to you all! Dames en Heren, Gooie Avond. Van harte bid ik u welkom aan de vernissage van de tentoonstelling “Putting the Philippines on the Map: The Belgian Contribution.” Mesdames, Mademoiselles, Messieurs, Bienvenu à tous et à toutes à l’ouverture de l’exposition “Putting the Philippines on the Map: The Belgian Contribution.” I first heard of Belgians when I was fourteen—in a Latin class in second year high school: “Gallia est omnis divisa in partes tres, quarum unam incolunt Belgae.” Translation: “Gaul is divided into three parts, of which one part is inhabited by the Belgians.” It is added: “Fortissimi sunt Belgae”—“The Belgians are the bravest [among these peoples].” Later on, at the age of twenty-two (young and full of hope), I saw a forgettable movie--“If it’s Tuesday, it must be Belgium!”—about a busload of Americans breezing through Europe in a week. A pity since Belgium, famous for its beers (more than 300 kinds), chocolates, waffles, fries (Belgian “frites” became French when they caused a sensation at a Marseilles Exposition, according to my Belgian informant), lace and diamonds, deserves a more in-depth visit. It is home to Breughel, Rubens, and Magritte; to the CICMs and the ICMs (better known here as the Belgian Fathers and Belgian Sisters). It will be recalled that our own Bayanihan Dance Troupe first attracted global attention at the 1958 Brussels World Fair. But I am here to talk briefly about the antique maps in this exhibit. 2 Why do antique maps fascinate us? To look at a map is to view the world from above. It is to be like God who sees everything. To observe everything is to be everywhere, to experience the power of controlling everything and everyone. There is a compelling link between cartography and power. Antique maps appeal to us because of their unique synthesis of geography, exploration, travel, history, culture, commerce, science and art. They are not only documents of knowledge, delightful icons of beauty, and coveted instruments of power. They are also mirrors of culture and civilization, and signposts of the creative imagination. Antique maps bestow us a unique pleasure. The Belgian Contribution The celebration of 175 years of Belgian independence provides the impetus for this exhibit that traces the gradual putting of the Philippines on the map. It focuses on the works of nine important mapmakers of the 16th and 17th centuries, all born in present-day Belgium: Gerard Mercator 1512-1594 Petrus Bertius 1565-1629 Johannes Metellus 1520-1597 Cornelis de Jode 1568-1600 Abraham Ortelius 1527-1598 Petrus Kaerius 1571-c.1646 Theodore de Bry 1528-1598 Cornelis van Wytfliet fl. 1597 Jodocus Hondius 1563-1612 A rare treat This exhibit offers the rare treat of viewing five of the earliest separately printed maps of the Philippines. The most famous--the Insulae Philippinae of 1598--is engraved by Petrus Kaerius. Two maps—Johannes Metellus’s Philippinae Insulae of 1601 and Cornelis van Wytfliet’s Insulae Philippinae of 1605 are exhibited here for the first time. Also on view are two editions of Petrus Bertius’s map—the Philippinae Insulae/Description des Philippines of 1616 and the Philippinae Insulae/Descriptio Philippinarum of 1618. Much coveted Ortelius maps Bound to delight visitors are the much-coveted maps by Abraham Ortelius. Maris Pacifici (Italian edition of 1608), the first map of the Pacific Ocean, shows Magellan’s ship, Victoria, sailing majestically in the direction of the Philippines. Ortelius’s Chinae (Latin edition of 1601), the first map of China in a European atlas, carries the words “Las Philippinas” above Sinus Magnus. Mercator—“the man who mapped the world” Acknowledged as the most famous cartographer after Ptolemy, Gerard Mercator —“the man who mapped the planet”—studied at the University of Leuven where he obtained a “magisterii gradum” in 1532. 3 In the Mercator-Hondius map--Insulae Indiae Orientalis of 1613--that puts the Philippines at the very center of Asia, two ships—Spanish and Dutch—fire at each other. It proclaims Spain’s naval might, alluding to the sea battle, off Manila Bay, between Admiral Olivier Van Noort and Dr. Antonio de Morga in 1600. From local pride to global responsibility All these Belgian mapmakers manifest a sense of self-esteem and a sense of pride of place. This is shown, in an outstanding way, by Ortelius who signed himself “Abraham Ortelius Antwerpianus” in the Theatrum. In the sixteenth century, one honored a friend by devising a flattering anagram of his name. Nicolas Clement, a French humanist, played with ABRAMUS ORTELIUS to come up with URBIS LAETUS AMOR (“happy [in his] love for [his] city”). Truly, Ortelius loved his city of Antwerp. The Belgian mapmakers of the 16th and the 17th centuries cultivated an intimate relation with their regional landscape. This pride in their local region enabled them to open themselves to the global world. Pride of what is local nourishes and promotes openness to and solidarity with the global. This Belgian contribution is most worthy of celebration. At the end of this “labor of love”, allow me to express my deepest gratitude to: The Loyola Schools Office of the President, Ateneo de Manila University Rizal Library, headed by its Director, Mrs. Lourdes T. David Staff of the Pardo de Tavera Room Office of Administrative Services headed by Mrs. Lourdes C. Sumpaico University Physical Plant Administration under Mr. Leoncio Miralao University Security Office under Commander Tizon Ateneo Art Gallery Office of Research and Publications Staff of the Office of the Dean of the School of Humanities, most especially, Ms. Angelli Tugado Ushers & Usherettes and Mr. Martin Gomez. For the exhibit, I would like to acknowledge the assistance of Mr. Joel Alexander de Leon, our two Bachelor of Fine Arts graduating seniors, Ms. Francesca Tanada & Ms. Clarissa Chikiamko. For the acquisition of some of the maps, I extend my deepest gratitude to: Mr.Eduardo Galang Fajardo, a generous benefactor who believed in the project Mrs. Diana C. Banaag and Mrs. Elaine Bismonte my friends in Belgium represented by Mr. Robert Brusten , Prof. Dr. Jan Roegiers, and Mr. Johan Devroe. 4 I would also like to thank the Ministry of the Flemish Community which sponsored the series of lectures by Prof. Dr. Steven Vanden Broecke It has been an exquisite pleasure to work with Katrien Stevens, graphic artist and with Mr. Jeroen Vergeylen, First Secretary of the Royal Belgian Embassy, who gave of himself beyond the call of duty. Last but not least, my heartfelt thanks to His Excellency, Ambassador Christiaan Tanghe who gave his all-out support to the project. This exhibit and collection are dedicated to two women, two mothers—my mother Juana Madriaga Garcia and Mr. Eduardo Fajardo’s mother, Natividad Galang Fajardo. Both of them gifted us with a sense of self-esteem and a sense of pride of place that we want to convey to the present generation of Filipinos. .