Philippine Boat Lute (Kutyapi) Makes Its Historic Entrance at the Asia and Pacific Museum in Warsaw

The 5-feet 2-inches long, 2-stringed, 9-fretted Philippine Boat Lute (Kutyapi) weighing 3.5 kgs procured by NCCA for Warsaw PE

WARSAW 10 March 2025 – The Philippines’ Boat Lute or Kutyapi from Maguindanao in southern Philippines was officially turned over by the Philippine Embassy in Warsaw to the Asia and Pacific Museum in Warsaw in a ceremony held at the Museum Hall on 04 March 2025. The historic event was attended by officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland with Asia Pacific Department Deputy Director Ms. Joanna Dopierała-Konkołowicz as Guest of Honor, as well as Ambassadors and Members of the Diplomatic Corps, and representatives from the Filipino community in Warsaw.

Philippine Ambassador to Poland Leah M. Basinang-Ruiz, representing the Philippine Embassy as Donor, and Asia and Pacific Museum Director Dr. Józef Zalewski, representing the Museum as Donee, signed the Donation Agreement and the accompanying Donation Protocol.  

In his welcome speech, Museum Director Dr. Józef Zalewski expressed appreciation for the donation and said that the Kutyapi will certainly enrich the Asian lute collection of the Museum and strengthen the cultural ties and cooperation between Poland and the Philippines. He also affirmed the commitment of the Asia and Pacific Museum to preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines.

In her message, Philippine Ambassador to Poland Leah M. Basinang-Ruiz conveyed her appreciation to the Museum for actively collaborating with the Embassy towards expanding the Philippine collection housed and exhibited in the Museum. She also underscored the critical role played by the Philippine National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in procuring the Boat Lute as a gift to the Museum, as well as the valuable support and assistance of the Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of Cultural Diplomacy.

The Kutyapi donation is a concrete form of cultural and artistic collaboration between Poland and the Philippines that also aims to increase awareness and appreciation among scholars, researchers, and most especially the general public in Poland, about Philippine musical tradition and culture. END

Philippine Ambassador Leah M. Basinang-Ruiz and Asia and Pacific Museum Director Dr. Józef Zalewski deliver the messages and sign the Donation Agreement and Protocol

Józef Zalewski delivers his message and signs the Donation Agreement and Protocol

From left to right: Asia and Pacific Museum Director Dr. Józef Zalewski, Philippine Ambassador Leah M. Basinang-Ruiz, MFA Asia and Pacific Department Deputy Director Joanna Dopierała-Konkołowicz, and Mr. Alejandro Ricardo Ruiz

A group photo was taken after the Turn Over Ceremony

From left to right: APM Director Dr. Józef Zalewski, APM Certified Curator Dr. Maria Szymańska-Ilnata, Philippine Ambassador Leah M. Basinang-Ruiz, and APM Collection Curator Dr. Barbara Banasik

Philippine Ambassador to Poland Leah M. Basinang-Ruiz (2nd from right) and spouse Mr. Alejandro Ricardo Ruiz (3rd from right) pose with representatives from the Filipino community in Warsaw (left to right: Dr. Lorico Lapitan Jr., Mrs. Che Che Farrales, Mr. Dondon Farrales, Fr. Tirso Alcover, RCJ)

(Photos from Warsaw PE and Łukasz Brodowicz/MAiP)

For more information, visit https://www.warsawpe.dfa.gov.ph, or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinPoland/.