Archipelago Abroad: Stories of the Philippine Diaspora in Belgium Exhibit Opens in Brussels

The exhibit Archipelago Abroad: Stories of the Philippine Diaspora in Belgium opens on 17 January 2025 at the MigratieMuseumMigration (MMM) in Brussels.

BRUSSELS 22 January 2025 – The MigratieMuseumMigration (MMM) in Brussels opened its new exhibition entitled Archipelago Abroad: Stories of the Philippine Diaspora in Belgium in a lively and well-attended vernissage on 17 January 2025.

Organized by the Philippine Art and Culture Exchange (PACE) in collaboration with the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) and the Philippine Embassy in Brussels, Archipelago Abroad tells the stories of the Filipino diaspora in Belgium through artworks, personal objects, video and audio interviews, and written narratives.

Professor Johan Leman, President of the MMM, and Ms. Louise Baterna-Hubert, President of PACE, welcomed the guests and thanked the participants who contributed to the exhibit. 

In his remarks, Ambassador Jaime Victor B. Ledda spoke about the archipelagic concept as reflected in the exhibition and how it “evokes not an image of disjointedness or disintegration, but rather that of a single unit, moving together with a common determination and purpose…. It is also a contemplation of our unity in diversity, and of how the Filipino migrant communities – even as they contend with the challenges to integrate, adapt and thrive in foreign lands – are living mirrors of our national identity.”

Professor Asuncion Fresnoza-Flot and Third Secretary and Vice Consul Ma. Filonila Alcaraz-Arguelles – representatives of the ULB and the Embassy, respectively, discussed their collaboration with PACE on the project, while co-curator Sam Domingo expounded on the key themes and the vision for the exhibition.

Attendees of the vernissage were treated to performances by Filipino musicians Christopher Malapitan (ukelele), Iris Ramonida (violin), Janine Santos (voice) and Django Valmores (multi-disciplinary arts), and a salu-salo of Filipino snacks.

The temporary exhibition at the MMM will run until 01 March 2025. For more information, visit https://mmm.brussels/en/. END

Ambassador Jaime Victor B. Ledda gives his remarks during the vernissage of Archipelago Abroad: Stories of the Philippine Diaspora in Belgium. Brussels, 17 January 2025.

Rasco Jugarap’s wire sculpture is featured in the exhibit Archipelago Abroad: Stories of the Philippine Diaspora in Belgium. Brussels, 17 January 2025.

Archipelago Abroad: Stories of the Philippine Diaspora in Belgium showcases personal objects, narratives, audio and video recordings, and artworks on Filipinos in Belgium. Clockwise from top left: Personal objects gathered from Filipinos in Belgium; “Philippine diaries” narratives; paintings by Filipino artist Chiara Capony; mixed media art by Filipino artist Mylene Factora. Brussels, 17 January 2025.

For more information, visit  https://www.brusselspe.dfa.gov.ph,  https://www.facebook.com/PHinBelgium/ or https://www.instagram.com/phinbelgium/.