HERITAGE Promotions

20/02/2026

Have you visited the Treasures of the National Library of the Philippines?
There are so many well-meaning people who believe everything that sells at auction for a fabulous sum should be acquired by the government for the National Museum. Yes, a first edition El Filibustersimo, signed by Rizal, sold last weekend for a record-breaking 21 million pesos at Leon Gallery will go into a private collection, but have people actually gone to the National Library of the Philippines to see a copy of the same for free?
The National Library has multiple copies of first edition Noli and Fili, it also preserves the original handwritten manuscripts of the novels. These used to be locked up in a vault but are currently on display for all Filipinos to see--for free.
Taken many years and many pounds ago, I hold the original manuscript of the Noli with a cover drawn by Rizal himself.

14/02/2026

19/12/2025

The Story Behind Spain's Infamous “Human Zoo” Featuring Filipinos

In 1887, the Spanish Empire sought to showcase the riches and cultures of its far-flung colony, the Philippines. At the heart of Madrid’s Retiro Park, the Palacio de Cristal del Retiro, or Crystal Palace, was constructed by architect Ricardo Velasquez Bosco. Made almost entirely of glass with a frame of iron and bricks, the structure was designed to display exotic items from the Philippines, from plants and animals to artisanal crafts. On sunny days, the palace glimmered beside the adjacent lake, drawing crowds eager to experience the wonders of the distant colony.

However, the exhibition soon crossed a disturbing line. Alongside animals and artifacts, 43 Igorots from the Philippines were brought to Madrid, forced to live in a replica of their village and perform daily activities for visitors. They were instructed to wear traditional clothing and act as “authentic” villagers, turning their lives into a spectacle for public amusement.

Despite the controversy surrounding the exhibit, the Queen Consort of Spain, Maria Cristina of Austria, officially sanctioned the human zoo. Photographers like Fernando Debas documented the Igorots’ lives at the exhibit, capturing images that reveal both the spectacle and the exploitation inherent in these displays.

While some contemporary accounts describe the Madrid exhibition as “one of the better human zoos” due to relatively low mortality, only four out of the 43 Igorots died, the human cost and indignity were undeniable. Unlike other European exhibitions, the Igorots were also taken on tours around Madrid and invited to the royal palace, highlighting a strange mix of fascination and paternalism by the organizers.

The human zoo ultimately ended when Paris requested the exhibit for its own exposition. Spain, doubting that France could provide the same precautions for the Igorots, shut down the Madrid exhibit and sent the survivors back to the Philippines. The fate of the 39 who survived remains largely unknown, leaving behind a haunting chapter in colonial history.

The story of the Crystal Palace human zoo serves as a stark reminder of the ways colonial powers commodified both culture and humanity under the guise of education and entertainment.

References:

Limos, Mario Alvaro. The Story Behind Spain's Infamous Zoo That Featured Philippine Animals… And Then Filipinos. Esquire Philippines, Oct. 6, 2020. Link

Madrid No Frills. “The Human Zoo of Madrid.”

19/12/2025

The Short and Tragic Life of the First Igorot Beauty Queen

Eveline Chainus Guirey, remembered as the first Igorot beauty queen, was born in 1902 in Gumatdang, Itogon, Benguet. She was the eldest of ten children of Guirey, a prosperous Benguet baknang (landowner), and Dakalay, who used her Christian name, Flora Pacalso.

Educated by missionaries at the Bua Public School near Baguio, young Chainus stood out for her grace and intelligence. In 1915, at just 13 years old, she was chosen to reign as Queen of the Benguet Carnival, a local fair meant to highlight the progress of the Mountain Province alongside the grand Manila Carnival. Her selection made her the youngest carnival queen in Philippine history.

During the Benguet Carnival, Chainus captivated thousands with her beauty, her long straight hair, brown complexion, and regal poise drew crowds of up to 8,000 people. Her charm and confidence symbolized the pride of the Cordillera people.

Invited to the 1915 Manila Carnival, Chainus and her royal court became the talk of the event. Wearing elegant green and purple silk attire and adorned with gold jewelry seldom seen by Manileños, she made a striking impression. Her evening gown made of flowing gauze with a long train was crowned with a distinctive tiara of copper and silver set with a ruby. In recognition, the Philippine Carnival Association presented her with a silver tea set.

After completing her studies at Bua, Chainus was handpicked by school director Mrs. Alice Kelly to continue her education in Manila. She enrolled first at the Philippine Normal School and later studied nursing at St. Luke’s Hospital. Tragically, she contracted tuberculosis during her training and never recovered. She passed away at just 18 years old, with Episcopal Bishop Gouverneur Frank Mosher (by her side).

Her death in 1920 deeply moved Benguet. Schools closed, and classes were suspended as people mourned her loss. Notable figures, Mayor E. J. Halsema, Governor Luna, Vice Governor de Guzman, Chief of Police Joseph Keith, and Jim Wright of Trinidad Farm School attended her funeral on October 5, preceded by a solemn requiem mass.

A decade later, J.J. Murphy honored her memory by naming a motion picture theater on Session Road the Alhamar-Chainus. Contrary to local belief, however, the statue of a Benguet girl in the Italian Garden at Camp John Hay was erected long before her death and does not depict her.

Eveline Chainus Guirey remains an enduring symbol of Igorot pride and beauty, a young woman who bridged the highlands and the city, yet whose promising life was tragically cut short.

References:

Castro, A. (2010). 1915 Queen of the Benguet Carnival, Eveline Chainus Guirey. Manila Carnivals 1908–39

Halsema, J. (1991). E.J. Halsema: Colonial Engineer (pp. 181, 348). Quezon City: New Day Publishers.

01/11/2025

27/09/2024

https://news.mit.edu/2023/roman-concrete-durability-lime-casts-0106?fbclid=IwY2xjawFj5kEBHaUS7ruUbhJMzbM1NoZan2GwA345XayD5gwjjUAuFRogdIggOoIl7OaQsQ

Researchers have discovered ancient Roman concrete-manufacturing strategies that incorporated self-healing. Applying this knowledge toward modern cement production, they hope to improve the material’s environmental impact.

09/08/2024

SCOTTY BOOKS
in our Collection
🌻

17/07/2024

I hope the BAGUIO MIDLAND COURiER's anti-closure party would win the ongoing tussle.

It's just crazy to kill a pet Mother Goose that's maybe sick and old for now, but could still lay more golden eggs and have them hatched into beautiful and useful pets for the community.

Don't forget - BMC is a Hall of Famer for PPI Annual Community Press Awards, among other impressive credentials. :)

Moreover, legit press is a community trust. It is almost a sin to close a 77-year old community newspaper in this Age of Disinformation.
🌻