TOGETHERNESS. The bobbin lace-makers of Women United Through Handcrafted Lace and Embroidery Livelihood Association of Sta. Barbara, Iloilo spend their pre-COVID19 days making intricate laces to make a living. These lace-makers, who are mostly in their senior years, temporarily stop going to their center since Iloilo Province was put under Enhanced Community Quarantine on March 17, 2020. (Photo by MA De los Santos/NMWVRM)
The National Museum of the Philippines echoes the global call for “togetherness” amid the physical separation caused by Covid-19 pandemic. This, as museums all over the world opted to push through with the Museum Week 2020 celebration on May 11-17, 2020 despite challenges caused by the global health crisis.
“Culture and the arts can bring us together. Collectively, we can relate to intangible and tangible manifestations of our heritage, and this feeling of connectedness strengthens our bond as a nation,” NMP Director General Jeremy Barns said.
He said this year’s theme, #togetherness, is timely as coming together is the way we can survive and meet the challenges we face this year. He added that museums want to give support and inspiration during this time when almost all Filipinos are confined to their homes while the rest are in the frontlines, working tirelessly to treat those infirmed or to provide basic services.
The National Museum will engage the public using digital platforms such as social media. It will feature stories during the Museum Week campaign of “7 days, 7 themes, 7 hashtags” format from May 11 to 17, 2020 with the following themes: heroes, culture in quarantine, togetherness, museum moments, climate change, technology and dreams.
The Museum Week will kickstart with #HeroesMW, #UnsungHeroes and #HeroesDontWearCape to honor the frontliners as well as heroes in arts and culture. Day 2 is #CultureInQuarantineMW and #QuarantineLife that features our lives while in quarantine, inspiring the public to recreate cultural works with objects and people from their homes. Day 3 is #togetherMW and #TogetherAtHome that will pay tribute to collectivity, community and joint efforts of people around the world to #BeatCovid19. Day 4 encourages museum-goers to relive their visits to the National Museum by sharing their #MyMuseumMomentsMW experience. Day 5 and 6 will be about #ClimateActionNowMW and #TechnologyMW to raise awareness on threats of climate change as well as how museums use technology to keep itself connected with its audiences. Day 7 is about #DreamsMW to encourage introspection on what we can do to build a better world.
Follow National Museum of the Philippines on Facebook to experience #MuseumFromHome. Participate in the #MuseumWeek celebration using the above hashtags. (MADe los Santos/NMWestern Visayas Regional Museum)
