Over 400 pieces of books, magazines and other printed materials have recently been donated to the UPV OICA for use in the exhibition projects at the UPV Museum of Art and Cultural Heritage (UPV MACH).
The items were from the collection of Reginald Zell and his wife Eloisa Abelarde Zell, who is a UPV alumna (High School Class of 1961).
Reginald Zell is an artist and corporate executive, who became a cultural researcher upon retirement. He is particularly interested in the Ati or Negritoes of the Philippines and has publications about the various Negrito communities including the Ati of Panay.
Reginald Zell collects antique prints and books that have special historical significance. He has previously donated part of his print collection to the Ateneo Art Gallery. He was convinced to donate to UPV three years ago, before the pandemic, upon knowing that the university was serious about the plan to establish a university museum.
His wife, the former Eloisa Abelarde, is the daughter of former UPIC Dean Pedro Abelarde. She used to work at the UNESCO in Paris, specifically with the International Council of Museums.
The couple loves to visit museums worldwide and collect books and artifacts.
Comics from China made before the Communist Revolution, illustrated magazines and books from the 1800s which contain woodcuts and lithographs, and books from the 1700s are among the donated items.
