DFA Tours National Museum of Fine Arts for First 2025 Heritage Walk

The participants of Heritage Walk in Manila, with DFA Office of Cultural Diplomacy Acting Head of Office Arlene T. Magno (10th from left) and Undersecretary for Migration Affairs Eduardo José A. de Vega (11th from left). (Photo by DFA-OPD Johannes Adrian De Guia)

MANILA 27 February 2025 – Following the interest generated by the “Pasay City Food and Heritage Walks” in 2024, the Department of Foreign Affairs - Office of Cultural Diplomacy (DFA-OCD) started the program this year with a tour of the National Museum of Fine Arts (NMFA).  Dubbed “Heritage Walk in Manila”, the visit to the NMFA on 19 February 2025 was also timed in celebration of National Arts Month.

DFA-OCD Acting Head of Office Arlene T. Magno and Undersecretary for Migration Affairs Eduardo José A. de Vega led 31 participants from the Office of the Undersecretary for Migration Affairs, Office of the Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs and International Economic Relations, Internal Audit Services Office, Asian and Pacific Affairs Office, Office of Cultural Diplomacy, Office of International Economic Relations, Office of Public Diplomacy, Office of Treaties and Legal Affairs, Overseas Voting Secretariat Office, and the United Nations and International Organizations Office, in an instructive and engaging museum visit.

The tour began with the exhibit of Filipino-Canadian-American artist and printmaker Lenore RS Lim titled, “Leaves, Lace, and Legacy: The Arts of Lenore RS Lim,” which opened at the National Museum of the Philippines a year ago and is on its last few days of viewing. Ms. Lim’s selected works showcase her use of traditional printmaking techniques merged with modern technology through computer-aided art.  Her heartwarming and inspiring stories left many of the participants in awe of her accomplishments and contributions to the world of art.

This was followed by a walkthrough of key exhibitions in the museum led by Ms. Carolina Magdaleno, one of NMFA’s resident tour guides who expertly discussed the historical contexts and significance of the artworks on display at the museum, enriching the participants’ understanding of Filipino art and culture.

This is the first in a series of culture and heritage walking tours to be conducted by DFA-OCD for 2025, designed to cultivate a deeper appreciation for the country’s cultural heritage among the DFA officers and personnel. END

NMFA tour guide, Ms. Carolina Magdaleno (middle) leads the DFA delegation to the exhibit halls. (Photo by DFA-OPD Johannes Adrian De Guia)

Department personnel visit the exhibit of Fil-Canadian-American print artist, Ms. Lenore RS Lim, titled, “Leaves, Lace, and Legacy”, currently on feature at the National Museum of the Philippines. (Photos by DFA-OPD Johannes Adrian De Guia)

Top-left: Ms. Carolina Magdaleno talks about the National Museum’s newly-acquired artwork, “Josephine Sleeping”, sculpted by Dr. Jose Rizal for his wife, Josephine Bracken. Top-right and bottom-left: Participants admire the works of national artist Juan Luna, “Bandera Filipina” and “Una Bulaqueña”. Bottom-right: Ms. Magdaleno points to the bust of Juan Luna, which was made by his friend, Spanish sculptor Mariano Benlliure. (Photos by DFA-OPD Johannes Adrian D. de Guia)