The Galeón

The Galeón

File:The Galeón logo.png
File:The Galeon dome construction.JPG The Galeón dome under construction, November 2015.
Location	Bay City, Pasay
Type	Maritime museum
Curator	Marian Roces
Building details
General information
Status	Under construction
Type	Dome
Construction started	November 2014
Estimated completion	3Q 2016
Cost	₱250 million
Dimensions
Other dimensions	65x60 meters
Technical details
Floor count	3
Grounds	5,000 square metres (54,000 sq ft)

The Galeón: Manila–Acapulco Galleon Museum is a maritime museum under construction within the SM Mall of Asia complex in Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines. The museum will feature Manila–Acapulco galleon trade and will also house a full-scale replica of a Galleon within its interior.

Development

Efforts to build a galleon museum dates back in 2010 when Department of Foreign Affairs secretary, Alberto Romulo, organized a diplomatic reception attended by ambassadors from 32 countries linked to the historical Galleon Trade. In the meeting such plans to build the museum were discussed.

Then Senator Edgardo Angara went to Mexico City to meet with heads of relevant institutions to lobby for support for the project to build a galleon museum. Talks with the National Archives of Mexico, Colegio de Mexico, National Autonomous University of Mexico and Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí to discuss on a research collaboration with Philippine universities and academics.

Mexican firms Grupo Carso of Carlos Slim Helú, FEMSA, and Cemex as well as Guerrero State government stated that they will back the galleon museum project. The plans to build a galleon museum were supported by Mexican politicians and figures such Margarita Zavala, First Lady of then President Felipe Calderon, Senators Teofilo Torres Corzo and Humberto Mayans as well as Mexican academics and publications also expressed support.

Philippine based-cultural agencies requested government seed funding from the Philippine government while a public fund raising was made. A presidential instruction by President Benigno Aquino III was made to provide financial support. However this instruction did not materialized. Henry Sy, President of SM Prime Holdings later offered to build the museum and donate a lot within the SM Mall of Asia complex.

The Museo de Galleon Foundation was created for the project. In mid-2015, Sy met with Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim in Mexico with the later agreeing to donate artifacts to the SM Group for the museum.

Construction and architecture

An estimate of about ₱250 million will be spent by the SM Group for the museum's construction. Construction began in November 2014 and was initially planned for completion by late 2015. The museum was then planned to be opened in the 2nd quarter of 2016, but the opening date was moved to the 3rd quarter of the same year. An architectural firm based in Mexico alongside with architects based in Hong Kong and Florida, United States were also involved in the project.

The museum is being built on a 5,000 square metres (54,000 sq ft) lot provided by the SM Group. The museum will have three stories and will measure 65 x60 meters.

Museum layout

The museum will have a 8,000 square metres (86,000 sq ft) of total exhibition space and will feature a full-scale replica of a Galleon inside the museum which will be more than 50 metres (160 ft) long. The exhibit will have a linear presentation arranged in chronological order. Five permanent galleries and a temporary exhibition space will be housed by the museum. Among the exhibits to be housed in the museum are religious icons, navigation instruments and trade commodities originating from 42 countries involved in the galleon trade.

See also

• Mexico-Philippines relations