Philippine Gold, Treasures of Forgotten Kingdoms

By Carol Tanjutco, J.D.

Pieces of the Philippine Gold exhibit that once belonged to the forgotten kingdoms of the Philippines.

Exquisite pieces of gold unearthed from the pre-colonial era of the Philippines will be showcased in New York. Approximately 120 spectacular works of art from the tenth to the thirteenth century will be unveiled, consisting of jewelry worn by the royal tribal families, resembling mythical faces, funerary masks, ritualistic objects and ceremonial weapons.

The exhibit dubbed as, Philippine Gold: Treasures of Forgotten Kingdom, will be on view from September 11, 2015 through January 3, 2016 at Asia Society Museum located at 725 Park Avenue corner 70^th Street, New York City. This is part of the collection of Ayala Museum in the Philippines, numbering over 1,000 intriguing pieces assembled by the noted archaeologist-collector Cecilia Y. Locsin and her late husband Leandro V. Locsin (1928-1994).

A solid gold halter weighs 25 pounds, worn around the chest of a noble man.

The discovery of gold objects was found accidentally during an agricultural irrigation in Butuan in 1981. The southern part of the Philippines rose to prominence in the tenth century and declined in the thirteenth century. Personal adornments found in the old kingdom of Butuan appear to be primarily elite regalia. The wide assortment of jewelry, belts and adornments once belonged to several persons of different height, weight and gender, probably part of the ruling family’s heirloom. The identity of the owners of these treasures remained unknown.

Highlights of the show include opera and vocal performances, rondalla ensemble, lecture series, music, dance and art workshop, Philippine food pop-up featuring local guest chefs on Friday nights in October and November. Around town, Ryan Cayabyab and Joseph Legaspi will present Songs From Home at St. Peter’s University (Oct. 1), Zarzuela at Kalayaan Hall, Philippine Center (Oct. 2)Spolarium with Fides Cuyugan Asencio at tribeca Performing Arts (Oct. 3), Lecture by Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio, and Philippine film series in November. For a calendar of events and latest update, visit www.asiasociety.org/Philippines2015

Presenting the Philippine Gold exhibit are(L-R) Adrianna Proser, curator of Asia Society, Florina Capistrano-Baker, co-curator of Ayala Museum, Deputy Consul General Kira Danganan, lawyer Loida Nicolas Lewis, Chair of the Gala Benefit Committee and Rachel Cooper, Asia Society.

“Asia Society is thrilled to showcase these stunning gold treasures from the Philippines that are not only historically significant, but which demonstrate a rich cultural heritage and point of pride for Filipinos,” says Asia Society President and CEO Josette Sheeran.  She notes, “The Philippine Gold exhibition showcases the great history of a little-known but captivating era.”  Chairperson of the Philippine Gold exhibit Gala Benefit Committee, lawyer Loida Nicolas Lewis is actively rallying every Filipino-American group to bring the exhibit to the world, ecstatically calling it our version of “King Tut” exhibit.

Asia Society presents a wide range of traditional and contemporary exhibitions of Asian and Asian American art, taking new approaches to familiar masterpieces and introducing under-recognized art and artists. The Asia Society Museum Collection comprises a traditional art collection, including the initial bequests of Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3^rd, and a contemporary art collection focused on new media.

Tickets for the premier night celebration of the Philippine Gold exhibit on September 11 and group tour packages can be arranged through PhilippineGold@AsiaPacific.org