04/09/2026
Pax Pineda brings a more personal Marcelo H. Del Pilar to life at Ayala Museum
Marcelo H. Del Pilar takes center stage through a fresh and deeply personal lens as 17-year-old curator Pax Pineda unveiled his debut exhibition, MARCELO: THE MAN BEHIND THE HERO (Reflections on the Legacy of Marcelo H. Del Pilar), at Ayala Museum on September 4.
As Del Pilar’s great-great-great-grandson, Pineda looks beyond the reformist and national hero portrayed in history books, exploring the man behind the legacy, his devotion to his family, the pain of separation, and the sacrifices he made for his country.
The exhibit launch, hosted by Robi Domingo, also brought together personalities from the entertainment and music scene, with SB19’s Justin de Dios, Rico Blanco, Paolo Benjamin and Miguel Benjamin of Ben&Ben, spotted among the guests.
Featuring historical materials and personal letters, the exhibition offers visitors a closer look at Del Pilar’s life abroad and his enduring connection to his wife and daughters, while drawing parallels with the experiences of Filipinos living away from home today.
MARCELO: THE MAN BEHIND THE HERO runs from September 4 to October 17, 2026, at the 2F Lobby of Ayala Museum’s Diorama Experience Gallery. The exhibition is co-presented by Ayala Museum and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.