The Galeón

The Galeón: Manila–Acapulco Galleon Museum or the Museo de Galleon[2] is a maritime museum under construction within the SM Mall of Asia complex in Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines. The museum will feature Manila–Acapulco galleon trade and will also house a full-scale replica of a Galleon within its interior.

The Galeón
The Galeón dome under construction, June 2016.
TypeMaritime museum
CuratorMarian Roces[1]
Websitewww.thegaleon.ph
Building details
General information
StatusOn hold
TypeDome
LocationBay City, Pasay
AddressSeaside Boulevard corner Sunset Avenue
Construction startedNovember 2014
Estimated completion2017 (delayed)
OpenedAugust 8, 2017
(soft opening)
Cost₱250 million
Dimensions
Other dimensions65x60 meters
Technical details
Floor count3
Grounds5,000 square meters (54,000 sq ft)

Development

Efforts to build a galleon museum dates back in 2010 when Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo organized a diplomatic reception attended by ambassadors from 32 countries linked to the historical Galleon Trade. In the meeting such plans to build the museum were discussed.[3]

Then-Philippine Senator Edgardo Angara went to Mexico City to meet with heads of relevant institutions to lobby for support for the project to build a galleon museum. Talks with the National Archives of Mexico, Colegio de Mexico, National Autonomous University of Mexico and Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí to discuss on a research collaboration with Philippine universities and academics.

Mexican firms Grupo Carso of Carlos Slim Helú, FEMSA, and Cemex as well as Guerrero State government stated that they will back the galleon museum project. The plans to build a galleon museum were supported by Mexican politicians and figures such as Margarita Zavala, First Lady of then President Felipe Calderon, Senators Teofilo Torres Corzo, and Humberto Mayans, as well as Mexican academics and publications also expressed support.[3]

Philippine based-cultural agencies requested government seed funding from the Philippine government while a public fund raising was made. A presidential instruction by President Benigno Aquino III was made to provide financial support. However this instruction was unsuccessful. Henry Sy, President of SM Prime Holdings, later offered to build the museum and donate a lot within the SM Mall of Asia complex.[3]

The Museo de Galleon Foundation was created for the project.[3] In mid-2015, Sy met with Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim in Mexico with the latter agreeing to donate artifacts to the SM Group for the museum.[4][5]

Construction and architecture
The dome structure under-construction. November 2015

An estimate of about ₱250 million will be spent by the SM Group for the museum's construction.[4][5] Construction began in November 2014 and was initially planned for completion by late 2015.[6] The museum was then planned to be opened in the 2nd quarter of 2016,[7] but the opening date was moved at least three times to the 3rd quarter of the same year,[8] to early 2017,[9] and later to August 8, 2017. The latest given date is planned to be the soft opening of the museum.[2] An architectural firm based in Mexico alongside with architects based in Hong Kong and Florida, United States, were also involved in the project.[10]

The museum is being built on a 5,000 square meters (54,000 sq ft) lot provided by the SM Group. The museum will have three stories and will measure 65 x60 meters.[1]

Museum layout

The museum will have a 8,000 square meters (86,000 sq ft) of total exhibition space and will feature a full-scale replica of a Galleon [7] which will be 60 meters (200 ft) long within the interiors the museum. Visitors of the museum will be able to observe the construction of the replica which will take about 2 years to be completed.[11] The exhibit will have a linear presentation arranged in chronological order. Five permanent galleries and a temporary exhibition space will be housed by the museum. Among the exhibits to be housed in the museum are religious icons, navigation instruments and trade commodities originating from 42 countries involved in the galleon trade.[1]

See also
  • Mexico-Philippines relations

References
  1. Llemit, Kathleen (4 January 2015). "Galleon museum set to open this year at SM MoA". The Daily Tribune. Archived from the original on 14 July 2015. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  2. Perez, Jon. "Historian wants to borrow galleon artifacts". Saipan Tribune. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
  3. Angara, Edgardo (18 October 2014). "A Galleon Museum in Manila". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  4. Miraflor, Doris (19 July 2014). "SM Group builds first galleon museum". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  5. Dumlao-Abadilla, Madelaine (12 July 2015). "Biz Buzz: Sy, Mexico's Slim eye galleon project". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  6. Bayaton-Obispo, Edlen Vanezza (November 11, 2014). "The Galeón: a New Museum to rise in Manila". MoneySense. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  7. Gonzales, Iris (21 January 2016). "SM to open first museum at MOA". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  8. "SM Mall of Asia to build museum". Inside Retail Asia. 14 March 2016. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  9. "Manila-Acapulco Galleon Museum to unroll early 2017". The Manila Times. 18 September 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  10. Yuson, Alfred (15 December 2014). "Of museums, new & upcoming". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  11. "Museo del Galeon holds dinner for partners". The Philippine Star. 10 September 2016.

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