The University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) Museum of Art and Cultural Heritage (MACH) is set to open a new gallery following the receipt of a significant donation of religious and non-religious artifacts from the heirs of Leticia J. Jesena.
On behalf of the Jesena heirs, Mrs. Ma. Luisa J. Santa Maria signed the Deed of Donation on Friday, February 6, together with UPV Chancellor Clement C. Camposano.
The donation, to be known as The Leticia J. Jesena Collection, consists of religious images, church décor, furniture dating to the Spanish period, as well as trade pottery.
Mrs. Leticia J. Jesena, who began her collection in the mid-1900s, was one of Iloilo’s – if not Western Visayas – foremost antique collectors. At a time when Iloilo had very few cultural institutions showcasing local heritage, her impressive collection was frequently shown to visiting dignitaries and tourists.
Mr. Mark Jesena, grandson of Mrs. Jesena, and Prof. Martin Genodepa, Director of the UPV Office of Initiatives in Culture and the Arts (OICA), served as witnesses for Mrs. Santa Maria and Chancellor Camposano, respectively, during the signing ceremony.
The substantial donation underscores the growing confidence of collectors, donors, and patrons in the University Museum, which, four years after its establishment in 2021, recorded nearly 10,000 visitors in 2025 across its eight galleries dedicated to the appreciation and study of regional and national art and culture.
Written by UPV OICA
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