MANILA, Philippines- Tinanggap ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. nitong Biyernes ang orihinal na Murillo Velarde 1734 map, na mahalaga sa paggiit ng bansa sa teritoryo nito, sa isang turnover ceremony sa Malacañang.
Tinaguriang “Mother of all Philippine Maps,” ang Carta Hydro-graphica y Choro-graphica de las Yslas Filipinas ay ginawa ng isang Spanish Jesuit Friar na si Pedro Murillo Velarde sa tulong ng dalawang Pilipino na sina Francisco Suarez na gumuhit sa mapa at Nicolas dela Cruz Bagay na umukit dito.
“The map encapsulates not just the geographical contours of our archipelago, but also the vibrant interplay of cultures, of peoples, and traditions that define our nation. The map features details that go far beyond rivers and coastlines,” pahayag ni Marcos.
“It is as if Murillo Velarde, Sanchez, and Bagay sought to tell the world that ‘Yes, this is a collection of islands, but more than that this is a nation – a nation that is in the making’.”
Nakabalik sa bansa ang mapa matapos itong bilhin ni Mel Velarde sa isang auction sa Sotheby sa London noong 2014.
Itinuturing din itong kauna-unahang scientific map ng Philippine archipelago.
Makalipas ang dalawang taon, naging isang importanteng ebidensya ang nasabing mapa upang igiit ang territorial claims ng Pilipinas sa West Philippine Sea kung saan pinagtibay ng Permanent Court of Arbitration sa The Hague ang soberanya ng Manila sa pinagtatalunang katubigan.
“What began as a map of the Philippines in the Spanish era became a formidable piece of evidence in our assertion of our rightful entitlements in the complex legal arena of the 21st century,” wika ni Marcos.
“The Murillo Velarde map is an important gift from our past that defines the country’s territory and it is now our duty to carry its legacy forward to future generations.” RNT/SA
