Juan Luna’s Una Bulaqueña Unveiled at the Louvre Abu Dhabi
Una Bulaqueña, meaning “woman from Bulacan,” as witnessed by Ambassador Alfonso A. Ver. (Abu Dhabi PE photo)
ABU DHABI 19 June 2025 — The Philippine Embassy, led by Philippine Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Alfonso A. Ver, witnessed the installation and unveiling of Una Bulaqueña, a National Cultural Treasure painting by Juan Luna on 17 June 2025 at the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
The Embassy is joined by Consul Regatta Marie Antonio-Escutin and Cultural Officer Patricia de Vries, together with the National Museum of the Philippines, led by Deputy Director-General Jorell M. Legaspi, joined by Museum Curator Caroline Marie Duque, and Museum Researcher Jonalyn Cornelio.
Ambassador Ver highlighted the event as a testament to the strengthening of the bilateral relations between the Philippines and the UAE. “The loan of Una Bulaqueña, a National Cultural Treasure painting by Juan Luna, shows the ever-deepening and dynamic bilateral relations of the two countries. This significant cultural exchange reflects our shared commitment to fostering understanding and cooperation through art.”
“The Philippine Embassy is truly honored to witness this momentous occasion and reaffirms its commitment to promoting cultural dialogue between the Philippines and the UAE,” Ambassador Ver added. Una Bulaqueña, meaning “woman from Bulacan,” is a painting created in 1895 during the Spanish colonial era in the Philippines. It features a woman from Bulacan, a province known for its nationalist fervor and as home to the Ilustrado class—wealthy, educated Filipinos like artist Juan Luna. Una Bulaqueña is dressed in traditional attire holding a folded fan and handkerchief—symbols of elegance and social standing.
The iconic oil painting will be on public display at the Louvre Abu Dhabi until June 2026, offering visitors an opportunity to appreciate one of the most celebrated works in Philippine art history. END
The Una Bulaqueña on public display at Louvre Abu Dhabi. (Abu Dhabi PE photo)
For more information, visit https://www.abudhabipe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.facebook.com/PHinUAE/, https://twitter.com/PHinUAE or https://www.instagram.com/phinuae/.