06 March 2015 - Philippine Ambassador to Mexico Catalino R. Dilem, Jr., together with Communications Officer Don S. Elacion, visited the Museo Nacional del Virreinato del Nuevo España or the National Museum of the Vice Royalty of the New Spain in Tepotzotlán, State of Morelos, Mexico on February 28. The visit was in line with the Philippine Embassy’s cultural awareness program in order to add to its knowledge of the shared historical identities between the Philippines and Mexico.
The museum is housed in a former school and convent complex where Jesuits took residence in the 16th century. In 1964, part of the complex was transformed into a museum and is now home to the National Museum of the Vice Royalty of the New Spain. Numerous religious artworks and artifacts from the Spanish colonial era are found in its collection. Non-religious articles like cutlery, metals, textiles, silver, silk, porcelain and ceramics coming from Asia also form part of the museum’s exhibit. Majority of these items were transported during the Manila-Acapulco galleon covering the period 1565 to 1815.
The tour was given by well-respected Mexican archeologist, architect, and expert on Philippine-Mexican history, Dr. Juan Antonio Siller Camacho. He is also a professor and member of the Instituto Nacional de Antropologia y Historia (INAH). END