MAKATI CITY — Visitors looking to explore Philippine history from a different perspective can join a curator-led tour of the Ayala Museum’s latest exhibition, “Turning Tides: Maritime Encounters and Exchanges of Power,” this weekend. Exhibition curator Jei Ente will lead the special tour on Sunday, September 13, 2026, from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM at the museum’s 3F Main Gallery. The tour is free for visitors with a Full-Access or 3F Exhibition ticket, offering travelers and history enthusiasts an opportunity to gain deeper insights into the country’s maritime past while visiting one of Makati’s cultural destinations.
Revisiting Philippine History Through the Sea
“Turning Tides” explores two significant episodes in Philippine history, the Battle of Mactan in 1521 and the Battles of La Naval de Manila in 1646, by examining the role of maritime encounters, alliances, and exchanges of power. The exhibition moves beyond traditional narratives that portray early Filipinos as passive participants, instead emphasizing their role in negotiating alliances, resisting foreign interests, and influencing events that shaped Philippine and global history during the 16th and 17th centuries. According to curator Jei Ente, the encounters reflected a changing exchange of control, influence, and resources rather than a simple one-sided exercise of power. Historical artifacts, paintings, devotional objects, scale models, and multimedia displays help visitors examine the people, motivations, and alliances connected to these defining moments.
Art, Artifacts, and Stories on Display
The exhibition features two works by National Artist Fernando Amorsolo, including “The First Baptism” and “The Traders.” Visitors can also see “The Japona,” a 17th-century image of the Virgin of the Holy Rosary from Santo Domingo Church, as well as an ivory-and-gold rosary recovered from the San Diego shipwreck. Another highlight is the “Manto Patrimonial,” the ceremonial vestment worn by Our Lady of La Naval during the Quincentennial Celebration. Adding a contemporary element, the exhibition presents a short animated film developed with students from the University of Makati Institute of Design and the Arts, drawing inspiration from Antonio Pigafetta’s chronicles and reimagining events that unfolded in the Visayas during Magellan’s expedition.
Plan Your Visit
“Turning Tides: Maritime Encounters and Exchanges of Power” is located at the 3F Main Gallery of the Ayala Museum, at Makati Avenue corner De La Rosa Street, Greenbelt Park, Makati City. The curator-led tour is scheduled for September 13, 2026, from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM, with admission included for visitors holding a Full-Access or 3F Exhibition ticket. The exhibition will remain open until February 14, 2027, coinciding with the 65th anniversary of Ayala Foundation. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with tickets available through the Ayala Museum’s official website.
