Kuala Lumpur, 19 July 2024 –Ambassador Maria Angela Ponce and Philippine Embassy personnel were given a special guided and interactive tour of the National Art Gallery on 10 July 2024.

 

The tour was led by Amerrudin Bin Ahmad, Director General of the National Art Gallery, as part of the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Philippines and Malaysia. DG Ahmad generously shared his insights into the historical and cultural significance of the Gallery’s collection.

 

Ambassador Ponce highlighted the cultural affinities between the Philippines and Malaysia, and noted parallel influences and sensibilities of Philippine and Malaysian artistic traditions. Both sides looked forward to future collaborative activities.

 

The highlight of the tour was the Enrique de Malacca Memorial Project, an exhibit by Ahmad Fuad Osman, one of Malaysia’s leading contemporary artists. The Embassy was privileged to have the artist himself join the tour and provide his perspectives on the exhibit. The exhibit showcases the story of Enrique, Ferdinand Magellan’s interpreter during the latter’s expedition to Asia in 1521. Enrique's story is a significant chapter in the shared history between the Philippines and Malaysia, as he was present during the Battle of Mactan in Cebu. It is said that after Magellan’s death, Enrique was freed from slavery through Magellan’s last will and testament. Following the Battle of Mactan, it is believed that he settled either in Cebu, Malacca, or Sumatra.

 

DG Ahmad and his team also showed the Gallery’s Art Hospital, which features conservation laboratories for the treatment of paintings, a photography and technical examination room, and repositories for paper artwork, sculptures, and other art objects. He also guided the Embassy through the “Rantau: IMT-GT Exhibition”, which is being held in conjunction with the Visit Year of the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle 2023- 2025, also known as IMT-GT 2023-2025.

 

The Enrique de Malacca Memorial Project runs until 01 December 2025 while the Rantau: IMT-GT Exhibition runs until 01 December 2024.

 

 

 

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