The National Museum of the Philippines or NM is a government agency museum that includes research and conservation programs within the museum and throughout the archipelago. Admission is free to all museums and facilities for both local and foreign visitors.
The NM receives two busts by Diosdado Lorenzo (1906-1984) from the Costamagna family.
Today is Diosdado Lorenzo's birth anniversary. He would have been 112 years old and what better time to announce the latest addition to our gallery featuring Pioneering Modernists. They are a gift to the nation by an esteemed Italian art historian and curator, Ms. Alba Costamagna, and her artist-brother Marco. Through the assistance of the Philippine Italian Association, particularly through its Vice President for Culture Silvana Ancellotti-Diaz and President Zenaida Rustia Tantoco, we unveiled on May 23 these plaster of Paris busts - “Self-portrait” (h 52 cm) and a “Portrait of Enrico Costamagna” (h 55 cm), dated circa 1930.
Not having heirs to whom she and her brother could leave their family’s substantial art collection, Ms. Costamagna chose to give to the National Museum with the benefit of sharing their appreciation and historical knowledge with the public, and in doing so, the artworks to continue to be seen. It is from this place that she felt that the twin busts, collectively titled “Kiss”, by Lorenzo, would be more appreciated in the Philippines and with the Filipino people. They were made while Lorenzo was studying at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma and meant to display them as though he was having a conversation with his father's friend, Enrico.
These were gifts of Lorenzo to the Costamagna family, whom he would see almost daily during that period. He was a welcome guest in the house in Rome, and as Ms. Costamagna wrote, "as well as in Rimini for summer vacation with my paternal grandparents Enrico and Emilia, through my father Mario who in those years was studying at the Academy of San Luca as a scholars. Their friendship was very close and affectionate, as attested by the dedication “KISS” at the base of his “Self-portrait”, Lorenzo's choice to name two of his sons (Emilio and Enrico) after my grandparents, and to make my grandmother Emilia Frioli Costamagna as Emilio’s godmother, and a number of photographs that I enclose herewith."
As National Museum Director Jeremy Barns remarked upon accepting them on behalf of the nation, "the busts are truly unique as Lorenzo was known more as a painter. These fill a gap in our account of Philippine art history. While they are formally rendered revealing his classical training, Lorenzo chose to depict himself and Mr. Enrico Costamagna using modernist sensibilities such as in making prominent features of their faces, as well as composing them as though they are deep in thought or in between conversation. We thank very much the Ms. Alba Costamagna, the Lorenzo family and the Philippine Italian Association for their generous gift and support."
Visit us soon and see these and other priceless national treasures. Admission to the National Museum is free. Museum hours are Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm (last admission is 4:30 pm but earlier if the lines are long so come early). For more information, please see the About section of this FB page.
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©The National Museum of the Philippines (2019)
A new donation from friends of Filipino Modernist Diosdado Lorenzo...The unveiling ceremony of the two busts by Diosdado M. Lorenzo, recently donated by Alba and Marco Costamagna to the National Museum of the Philippines, took place yesterday, at the Pres. Sergio Osmena Hall, at the presence of: the Ambassador of Italy, H.E. Giorgio Guglielmino; the director of the Cultural Diplomacy Division of the DFA, Ms. Khrystina Corpuz; the director of the National Museum, Mr. Jeremy Barns, and the assistant director, Dr. Ana Labrador; our President, Ms. Nedy Tantoco, and our VP for Culture, Ms. Silvana Diaz, who personally followed this project; and many representatives of Lorenzo's family. The Philippine Italian Association is profoundly proud and delighted that these two busts, portraying Enrico Costamagna and Diosdado Lorenzo himself, are finally in the Philippines and are now displayed at the National Museum of Fine Arts to enrich the National Artistic Heritage and for posterity. In our eyes this generous donation represents one of the best expressions of the bonds of friendship, through the arts, between Italy and the Philippines! 🇵🇭🇮🇹
Happening Now: 44 Senior Citizens participate in our pilot project, Leaf Art for Senior Citizens. Majority of our participants come from all districts (1 to 6) of the City of Manila.
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“It is no secret that the Philippines is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. With each passing year, researchers from both the Philippines and abroad continue to find new species here–some of which even turn out to be endemic.”
Int'l researchers discover 4 new fish species from the Philippines
flipscience.ph
Recently published studies reveal four new fish species found in the Philippines -- one of which is believed to be endemic.
Nikki Mamaril
Daniel Mark Simsuangco
Nice to know That! Our country as well is home to countless and diverse species of greedy snakes and crocodiles.
Donna Graham Richard Howes
Mary Raulene Pepito (Mara)
Teresita Bongales T
It's a good news...I hope and wish na sana hindi mapabilang na endangerd species ang mga to balang araw.
J Marz Lopez
Boss Carlo Cardenas haha baka trip mo
It didn't surprised me at all, Based on research we are part of the marine biodiversity triangle.
that is why we should watch out for mining companies and other polluters of our waters...and those who throw plastics...alll these kill our fish!!!!
sa dami ng isda dyan sa pinas ni hindi aq nakakain ng mas malaki man lng sa palad q...dto sa ibang bansa kanda duwal na aq sa kakakain ng malalalking isda dahil sa sobrang mura.
Ngayon lang ata nakapag ulam ng ganyan ang nakapagreseach niyan dahil limitado ang Alam sa isda.
dami nyan san masbate now niyo lang nalamnan
May bago na namang species na gagawing extinct ang mga Pinoy! Nice....
the first one looks like tinapa
♥ 💕
Sir Jhan-Curt Fernández!
Since grade one we were learned that the Philippines is a place which is very rich in natural resources both flora and fauna so the Philippines should be a rich country ever since but because of every government we have ,we still a poor country because of grave corruption.
The NM celebrates International Day for Biological Diversity with a forum.
In celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity, the National Museum of Natural History presented a half-day series of lectures based on the theme “Our Biodiversity, Our Food, Our Health”. Ms. Marivene Manuel-Santos, Curator I and OIC of the Zoology Division, delivered the opening remarks on behalf of Assistant Director for Museums Dr. Ana Maria Theresa P. Labrador.
“The Value of Biodiversity in the Age of Anthropocene” focused on current research of the well-regarded Museum Researchers of NMNH: Rolly C. Urriza and Joseph B. Foronda (Zoology Division), John Rey C. Callado (Botany and National Herbarium Division), and Jaan Ruy Conrad P. Nogot (Geology and Paleontology Division) who discussed the less charismatic creatures, inconspicuous and cryptic marine organisms, and unusual habitats.
Mr. Urriza, our specialist on ornithology talked about the post-breeding biology, food and habitat description of the Philippine eagle owl (Bubo philippensis) and their importance in controlling pests and in keeping the population of other terrestrial organisms in check. Mr. Foronda, one of our researchers from the Carcinology Section, spoke about the Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS) which affords the marine researchers a substitute habitat for organisms that rely on coral reefs for shelter and sustenance, hence, providing a better assessment of the overall biodiversity of the marine system’s condition which can direct conservation and call for action.
On the other hand, Mr. Callado, our specialist on pteridology, discussed about the diversity of Philippine ferns and lycophytes; and how these are widely used for food, for ornaments and for livelihood.
Our last speaker, Jaan, Senior Museum Researcher from the GPD, explained the beauty and complexities of caves, how these were formed and their importance as habitat for specialized plants and animals that serves as sources of food that contribute to the health and well-being of man, and emphasized the need for their protection and conservation.
The lectures were attended by 70 participants from the following institutions: DLSU, PLM, RTU, St. Dominic College of Asia, PUP, MAPUA Institute of Technology, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, UST, DSWD, Young Environmental Forum, UPD, SLSU, FEU, DOT, UP-ASP, GREENducation Philippines, Angeles University Foundation, National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Science Boys Exclusive Group Inc., St. John Bosco Institute of Arts and Sciences, Philippine Society for Training and Development, STORM Technologies, UP-MSI, DepEd, Arellano University, Pres. Sergio Osmena High School, WSC and Manila Science High School.
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Text by Aissa Domingo, Maria Josefa S. Veluz, MMSantos/ NM Zoology
Photos by members of the NM MSD / Aissa Domingo, NM Zoology
©The National Museum of the Philippines (2019)
We are celebrating today International Biodiversity Day at our National Museum of Natural History...
...but did you know that yesterday, May 21, was the Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Dialogue?
Both are important for our existence and the National Museum protects and promote both and on occasion we have interdisciplinary programs to show nonbinary areas of work...
#NationalMuseumPH“#CulturalDiversity is as necessary for humankind as biodiversity is for nature.” – @UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity.
Join the celebration, 21 May is World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue & Development!
👉 https://on.unesco.org/2EdkKPW #SupportCreativity
