When we think about the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the first thing that comes to mind is money. Well, it is not that all there is. Our Integral Human Development class was provided the opportunity to experience a virtual tour of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Museum. I am grateful to our speaker, Ms. Regina Cruz, and our professor, Ms. Pia Manalastas, for making the tour possible despite the limitations brought about by the pandemic. It was amazing to see how the Philippine peso’s aesthetics and value grew throughout the century.
I was never artistic and did not pay much attention to the arts while I was growing up. Going to a museum is not even on the list of my recreational activities, so I was a bit concerned whether I would be able to appreciate the virtual museum tour. I was wrong. The virtual tour was really amazing and ignited my appreciation and knowledge not only of Philippine money but also timeless art pieces that played an important part in the history of our country.
I have the utmost admiration for our culture because of its richness and high sense of nationalism. What contributes to this are the works of our national artists such as Juan Luna, Fernando Amorsolo and Carlos “Botong” Francisco. Through their art, they demonstrated the richness of our culture and passed it down to the next generation.
During the presentation, I was particularly amazed by “Spoliarium,” the painting of Juan Luna. It is a piece that speaks a powerful message and depicts that bloodied bodies of gladiators who fought the Roman oppressors. Looking at the painting, I felt many things. First, the oppression experienced by the Filipinos in the Spanish era; second, it reminded me of Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere, which portrays a story of the Filipinos not being able to regain their liberty and freedom.
The virtual museum tour was not about just artworks but also the wonderful history of the Philippine notes and coins. The Barilya, which we now called the Barya, was born in 1828. It is marked with the coat of arms of the Municipality of Manila. The first barilya is made of coarse brass and have an estimated value equivalent to one cent. The coins were also thin and light compared to the current coins.
To some collectors, collecting notes and coins is considered an investment because, through time, it will become rare, and its value will increase. I realized from the virtual tour that the evolution of notes and coins records our country’s ideals and history as aesthetically shown in their design. Banknotes tell a story, but I realized I often overlook and take these everyday objects for granted.
My biggest takeaway from the virtual tour is a renewed sense of patriotism. Art and banknotes play a significant role in our culture and history, making me proud to be a Filipino.
As an aspiring Lasallian business leader, I commit to consistently nourish my sense of patriotism by doing the following:
1. Visit museums more often to gain a deeper sense of understanding about our culture. I will invite my family and friends and go as often as we can;
2. Read more about the history of Philippine bank notes;
3. Support art exhibits by local artists; and
4. Buy local products and support Philippine tourism.
My key takeaway from the session is that understanding our history and culture in a deeper sense will allow me to know what we should improve as a nation and me as an individual to help with our present situation.
The author is an MBA student at the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business, De La Salle University. This article is part of her blog for the course Integral Human Development.
The views expressed here are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators.