11 July 2013 – The Philippine Embassy in Paris informed the Department of Foreign Affairs that Senator Loren Legarda returned to the Musée du Quai Branly on July 03 to view the exhibit “Philippines, Archipel des Echanges” before the exposition ends on July 14 and to begin arrangements of her cultural diplomacy roadshow.

Armed with the English translation of the book that accompanies the exhibit, Senator Legarda expressed her intention to share the richness of Philippine culture to her fellow Filipinos.

“My goal is to bring the collection to the Philippines and make sure that all public schools learn about this,” said Senator Legarda. Her ultimate goal is the day when a Bontoc will be proud to say that he or she is a Bontoc and that a Tinggian is proud to be a Tinggian.

“With the help of the Philippine Embassy in Paris, I intend to make a 10-minute video of the entire collection and distribute it to all state colleges and universities and public libraries, together with the book,” the Senator added.  

Ambassador Ortega thanked Senator Legarda for funding the English translation of the exhibition catalogue. The English version encouraged Filipino visitors to buy the book as a souvenir of the exhibition and to increase understanding of their own culture.

Covering more than 2,000 square meters, the exhibition, which was inaugurated last 9 April 2013 by Vice President Binay and French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, features around 300 Philippine pre-colonial artifacts and artworks. It is the biggest exhibition on the Philippines held in France and even in Europe for more than 20 years. END