National Museum of the Philippines Director-General Jeremy Barns, alongside U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson and other dignitaries, marked the opening of an art exhibition at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Taguig City on February 13. The exhibit, titled "Liberation of Manila: 80 Years of Remembrance through Art," commemorates the 80th anniversary of Manila's liberation during World War II.
The exhibition is a collaborative effort between the U.S. government, represented by the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC), and the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP). It features works by renowned Filipino artists such as Fernando Amorsolo, Diosdado Lorenzo, Nena Saguil, and Galo Ocampo.
U.S. Ambassador MaryKay Carlson emphasized art's ability to convey historical experiences: “Art has the power to transcend time, to give voice to the voiceless, to capture history not as cold facts but as lived experience." She highlighted that these artworks serve as a testament to shared sacrifices and stories that should not be forgotten.
Jeremy Barns remarked on the significance of these visual accounts: “The works you see here now are historical visual accounts – some of them first-hand – of the battle that was… It is our further honor to share them here at the Manila American Cemetery."
The paintings are on loan from NMP’s Fine Arts Collection for this event marking Manila's liberation anniversary on February 22. The exhibit will run until February 25 at the Visitor Center in Bonifacio Global City. Admission is free with guided tours available.
Among featured works is Amorsolo’s “Burning of Sto. Domingo Church” (1942), depicting flames engulfing a historic church during Japanese bombings. Galo Ocampo’s “Ruins of the Legislative Building” (1945) illustrates wartime destruction with its modern-day counterpart being part of NMP's complex.
Diosdado Lorenzo captures post-war devastation in “Ruins of Sales Street, Quiapo” (1946), while Nena Saguil portrays Fort Santiago’s aftermath in her abstract work from 1949. These pieces collectively narrate Manila's wartime trials and subsequent recovery.