The UP Visayas Museum of Art and Cultural Heritage (UPV MACH) opens a new exhibition titled “Ginpadala nga mga Handumanan: Postcards from the Edge of the Early 20th Century.”
The exhibition features pieces from a collection of over 350 vintage postcards that art collectors Reginald and Eloisa Zell generously donated to the museum.
Offering a visual archive of the Philippines from over a century ago, the collection captures streets, businesses, architectural landmarks, and natural landscapes that have since vanished or undergone dramatic transformations.
These postcards, as documentary evidences, open a window into the everyday lives of Filipinos at the turn of the century. They showcase historical attire, early modes of transport, local trades, and community gatherings. The collection invites viewers to recognize and appreciate the enduring traditions and cultural practices unique to various communities across the archipelago.
Curated by Martin Genodepa, “Ginpadala nga mga Handumanan” transcends mere nostalgia. It serves as a critical exploration of how the Philippines and its people were visually captured, curated, and represented during a pivotal era in national history.
The exhibition, the first of its kind in Iloilo, is on view at Lantip Changing Exhibition Gallery 1 of the UPV MACH. Museum hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (except holidays).
Written by UPV OICA
