The Franz Mayer Museum in Mexico City is currently showcasing a significant collection of artifacts from the Manila-Acapulco Galleon trade, highlighting the deep historical connections between the Philippines and Mexico. The exhibit, which opened to the public in November 2020, features an array of items including nautical and cartographic tools, ceramics, and furniture, all of which underscore the shared heritage of the two nations.
A notable addition to the museum’s permanent collection will be a Spanish colonial-era Manton de Manila, or Manila shawl, set to be installed in January 2025. This addition will join other Galleon trade-related items such as Philippine wooden trunks, an ivory crucifix, and Chinese porcelain, further enriching the museum’s display.
Philippine Ambassador to Mexico, Lilybeth Deapera, recently visited the museum and gave a presentation on the Manton de Manila and the broader context of the Galleon trade. This event was part of a series of activities organized to complement the installation of the shawl. The Philippine Embassy in Mexico and the Franz Mayer Museum have pledged to continue their collaborative efforts in the coming months.
The Franz Mayer Museum, known for its extensive collection of decorative arts, primarily showcases the collection of German-born collector Franz Mayer. His interests in furniture, porcelain, and Galleon trade objects are prominently featured in the museum’s permanent exhibits. Additionally, the museum houses collections from other notable figures, adding to the diversity of its holdings.
The museum has also loaned items for the Manila Galleon Exhibition at the Asian Civilizations Museum in Singapore, which ran from November 2023 to March 17, 2024. Beyond trade, the Philippines and Mexico share religious ties, exemplified by the story of Mexican saint San Felipe de Jesús, who joined the Franciscan fathers in Manila in 1593 and later returned to Mexico for ordination.
Ambassador Deapera has also highlighted the similarities between Filipino and Mexican languages and cuisines, which she believes have fostered a strong and natural bond between the two countries.