In a landmark move to honor the guardians of Philippine heritage, the Museum Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. (MFPI) officially announced the launch of “Ang MUSEO: Gawad ng Museum Foundation of the Philippines.” Coinciding with the Foundation’s 40th-anniversary celebration, the announcement marks the Philippines’ first-ever recognition program dedicated to honoring excellence in cultural preservation and education.
Speaking at the media launch, MFPI President Danny Jacinto said, “The MFPI has always been proud to serve as stewards of connecting Filipinos with their cultural heritage. It is our hope that Ang MUSEO will help reinforce and honor all those who work to protect national memory and foster appreciation for history and the arts.”
Inspired by standards set by the International Council of Museums (ICOM), Ang MUSEO will feature ten distinct categories, including the Gawad sa Natatanging Pamana ng Bayan (Local Museum of the Year), Gawad Para sa Institusyong Pang-Edukasyon (Educational Institute Museum of the Year), and the Gawad sa Natatanging Kawani Ng Museo (Museum Worker of the Year). Designed to elevate the standards of cultural spaces, Ang MUSEO will honor those who make museums vibrant spaces of learning and cultural pride in the Philippines, while elevating regional and niche museums to the national stage.
The official Ang MUSEO website and entry portal was launched at the event, which will be open to museums nationwide. To ensure the utmost integrity of the recognition, all entries will go through a rigorous, two-tier governance structure, culminating in an evaluation by an esteemed jury of independent experts in museum work, heritage conservation, and education, with the winners being announced at an awarding ceremony in October.
According to MFPI Executive Director Tanya Pico, the awards are driven by a “Shared Love” for Philippine heritage. ‘We want to bring well-deserved recognition to the unsung regional stewards, independent museum owners, and university-run museums nationwide, ensuring that every vital space—no matter its size or location—is honored for keeping the Filipino story alive.”
Founded in the 1980s as “Friends of the National Museum” the MFPI is a non-stock, non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to promoting and preserving Philippine art and cultural heritage. From successfully advocating for the National Museum Act of 1998 to funding the restoration of works such as Juan Luna’s La Bulaqueña, the Foundation works to foster awareness of Filipino culture and history while supporting the sustainability of the National Museum community.
Today, the MFPI is continuously expanding its mission of education and advocacy, spearheading fundraising, education, supporting initiatives, staging signature events like the MaArte Fair.
With Ang MUSEO at the forefront, 2026 will see the MFPI look back at its storied history, while ushering in a new era of cultural sustainability.