The Pedro Murillo Velarde map or the "mother of all Philippine maps". A copy of the most accurate and earliest map of the Philippines, includes the island of ‘Panacot’ or Bajo De Masinloc as well as Scarborough Shoal, being part of the Philippine archipelago is seen at the Makati Museum. October 10, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/file 

MANILA — The Murillo Velarde map of 1734, regarded as the "Mother of All Philippine Maps", has made its way to Malacañang.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. together with First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos formally received the map during a ceremony at the President's Hall on Friday, Nov. 6.

The map was presented by Filipino technology entrepreneur Mel Velarde who bought the map at a London auction in 2014 and later donated it to the Philippine government.

In his speech, Velarde acknowledged the administration's efforts in upholding the country's sovereignty and history.

"Your leadership has been pivotal in the continuing transformation of the Velarde 1734 map. Before you rose to power, even after the UNCLOS victory, no president was willing to accept this map, let alone to bestow upon it the honor and recognition it deserved," he said.

"My humble and solemn plea, Mr. President, is for you to proclaim to the world the shining example of the Filipino people by transforming a colonial map into a moral weapon and a perpetual symbol of resistance, sovereignty and dignity," Velarde noted.

Marcos Jr. described the map as a "defining testament to the deep historical roots" of the nation's identity.

He also recognized the vital role of the historic artifact as among the evidence presented in the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague, Netherlands which upheld the Philippine's rights over the West Philippine Sea in its landmark 2016 ruling.

"What began as a map of the Philippines during the Spanish era became a formidable piece of evidence in our assertion of our rightful entitlements in the complex legal arena of the 21st century," Marcos said in his speech.

"It reminds us that history, when meticulously preserved, wields immense power to inform and to uphold the truth," he added.

The president also underscored the duty to carry the map's legacy to future generations.

"Let us not only admire the artistry of the masterpiece presented to us today, but also draw inspiration from its enduring message: the call to protect and to assert what is rightfully ours, with resolve and with integrity," the chief executive said.

Considered as the first scientific map of the Philippine archipelago, the Murillo Velarde 1734 map was produced by Spanish Jesuit Friar Pedro Murillo Velarde with the help of two Filipino artisans, cartographer Francisco Suarez and Nicolas dela Cruz Bagay who engraved it.

The map has been in display at the Permanent Gallery at the National Library of the Philippines which allowed the temporary display of the artifact at the Malacañang during the occasion.

A nationwide educational campaign called "Mapa Natin, Kwento Natin" to further propagate the historic map's significance.