PH Consul General in San Francisco Receives Replicas of Historic Murillo Velarde 1734 Map

Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer and Mr. Mel Velarde proudly present the signed Deed of Donation for two replicas of the historic Murillo Velarde 1734 Map during a turnover ceremony held on 4 July 2025 in Mandaluyong City. (San Francisco PCG photo)

SAN FRANCSISCO 08 July 2025 — The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco formally received two replicas of the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map, known as the “Mother of All Philippine Maps,” during a turnover ceremony held on 04 July 2025 at St. Francis Shangri-La Place, Ortigas Center.

The turnover ceremony was led by Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer, accompanied by Consul Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil, on behalf of the Consulate, and Mr. Mel Velarde, Chairman and CEO of NOW Corporation and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC), together with Ms. Therese Patricia San Diego Torres, President of AIJC.

In his remarks, Consul General Ferrer expressed deep appreciation to Mr. Velarde and Ms. Torres for the generous donation. “We are grateful for your donation of this significant map and we are proud to display replicas of the Murillo Velarde map in the Philippine Consulate General and at the Official Residence of the Consul General in San Francisco,” he stated. “The map served as a crucial piece of evidence in the Philippines’ landmark victory in the South China Sea Arbitration in 2016. It provided historical proof supporting the Philippines’ sovereign rights over contested areas, thereby strengthening the country’s case against China’s expansive maritime claims.”

The Carta Hydrographica y Chorographica de las Yslas Filipinas, more commonly known as the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map, was the first scientific map of the Philippines, produced by Jesuit priest Fr. Pedro Murillo Velarde, with illustrations by Filipino engraver Nicolas de la Cruz Bagay and cartographer Francisco Suarez. Measuring 24 x 37.5 inches, the map was published in Manila in 1734 and provides detailed depictions of the Philippine archipelago, surrounding waters, and relevant geopolitical features.

Mr. Velarde acquired the original map at a Sotheby’s auction in London in 2014, outbidding several international contenders with a winning offer of £170,500. After successfully convincing British authorities that the map was not part of British patrimony, Mr. Velarde repatriated it to the Philippines. In 2017, he formally donated the map to the Filipino people through the Office of the Solicitor General. The original is now permanently displayed at the National Library of the Philippines, inaugurated in August 2024.

The AIJC’s donation of the replicas further ensures that this historical artifact—and its powerful narrative—reaches wider audiences. Consul General Ferrer also briefed the AIJC on the Consulate’s programs and advocacy work, particularly those related to maritime affairs, where the map remains highly relevant in asserting the Philippines’ sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea.

The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco reaffirms its commitment to upholding the Philippines’ sovereignty and preserving its historical legacy, and deeply thanks AIJC and Mr. Mel Velarde for their continuing dedication to this cause. END

Mr. Mel Velarde turns over a replica of the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map to Consul General Neil Ferrer, with Consul Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil and AIJC President Therese San Diego Torres as witnesses. (San Francisco PCG photo)

For more information, visit https://www.sanfranciscopcg.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philippinessanfrancisco.org, https://www.facebook.com/PHinSF/ or https://www.instagram.com/phlinsf/.