SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) celebrated a significant milestone during this year’s Día del Galeón as it officially turned over the Museo del Galeón space, located at SM Mall of Asia. The event, held at the China Blue Restaurant in Conrad Manila, brought together prominent figures from the SM Group and dignitaries from the Philippines, Spain, and Mexico.
Día del Galeón, an annual event recognized by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), commemorates the arrival of the first transpacific galleon, San Pablo, in Acapulco, Mexico, from Manila in 1565. This historic voyage launched the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade, establishing profound cultural and commercial ties between the Philippines and Mexico, which have endured through the centuries.
The highlight of the event was the formal turnover of the SM Prime space to the Museo del Galeón Foundation, received by Museo del Galeón Chairman, Ambassador Carlos Salinas. During the event, Dr. Jaime Laya donated a reproduction of the acclaimed “Carta Hydrographica y Chorographica de las Islas Filipinas,” also known as the Velarde Map. It was followed by the investiture of the inaugural members of the Advisory Council: Spanish Ambassador to the Philippines, His Excellency (H.E.) Miguel Utray Delgado, and Mexican Ambassador to the Philippines, H.E. Daniel Hernández Joseph. They herald the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the museum.
“The commitment of Mexico to this project is unwavering. We see the Museo del Galeón as a symbol of the enduring relationship between our nations — a relationship that extends beyond commerce, embodying the profound intercultural exchanges that have shaped the perceptions of time, space, and the worldview of peoples across Asia and the Americas,” said H.E. Daniel Hernández Joseph, Mexican Ambassador to the Philippines.
“The turnover of the Museo del Galeón is a reflection of our deep commitment to preserving and celebrating our rich heritage,” said Hans Sy, Chairman of the Executive Committee of SM Prime. “Through this museum, we provide a space where future generations can learn about the vital cultural exchanges that have shaped our nation.”
SM Prime Chairman of the Executive Committee Hans Sy and Museo del Galeón Chairman Ambassador Carlos Salinas
The Museo del Galeón will house a life-sized representation of Manila Galleon, offering visitors an immersive and educational experience that highlights the role of the Filipino people before, during, and after the galleon trade. Discover the exchange of goods, ideas, and culture between the East and West that put Manila at the center during the dawn of globalization.
Representatives from the SM Group and Museo del Galeón, alongside the Embassies of Spain and Mexico in the Philippines, discuss Dr. Jaime Laya’s donation of a reproduction of the Velarde Map.
The turnover of the Museo del Galeón space ensures that the Filipino story is told, and discoveries, revelations, and ideas will be sparked by our rich and complex maritime history. “This is not just about preserving history. This will be a place where the past and the present meet, with exhibits and interactive experiences that will tell the stories of the historical exchanges that, for the first time in history, united three continents: Asia, America, and Europe,” Spanish Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Miguel Utray Delgado said.
This occasion signals the beginning of the one-year countdown to the museum’s grand opening, which will take place on Día del Galeón in 2025.
