Intramuros hosts International Galleon Conference
MANILA, Philippines - The Manila-Acapulco Galleon, an important economic infrastructure of Spanish colonial rule, was a flourishing trade that plied the Pacific Ocean, shuttling back and forth from Manila to Acapulco, Mexico, from 1565 to 1815.
To promote the understanding of the rich tradition of the galleon trade, the Intramuros Administration is organizing the International Conference on the Galleon and the Making of the Pacific, on Nov. 9 to 11 at Villa Immaculada, Gen. Luna corner Anda St., Intramuros, Manila.
“More than just an exchange of goods, the galleon was key to an exchange of cultures between the countries along the route it plied,” states Anna Marie Harper of the Intramuros Administration. “It marked the start of globalization from the Orient to Europe. Even today, linkages between Filipino and Mexican cultures can be traced back to the Galleon Trade.”
Students, academe, cultural workers, and history enthusiasts are enjoined to attend the three-day conference, which covers discussions on the context and infrastructure of the Galleon Trade, its impact on regional trade in Asia and the Americas, and the horizons of change and cultural transformation brought by the Galleon trade.
Speakers include economic historian Dr. Benito Legarda; Dr. Gusli Asnan of the Ministry of Museum and Antiquities of Indonesia; Javier Ruescas and Javier Wrana of the Associacion Cultural Galleon de Manila-Madrid; Dr. William Summers, professor of Musicology of Dartmouth College, US; Dr. Wu Jie Wie of the University of Beijing; Architect Jorge Loyzaga of Mexico; Architect Francisco Pol, professor, University of Alcala and Recipient of the Premio National de Urbanismo, Spain; Dr. Carlos Lles Loza, urban sociologist from the Universidad Carlos III.
Two roundtables (heritage conservation and current researches on Intramuros and the galleon trade) will be convened with presentations from stakeholder institutions in the vicinity of Intramuros. Dr. Ing. Adolfo Jesus Gopez, president of FEATI University, Ambassador Reynaldo O. Arcilla, Dean of International Relations of Lyceum University, Dean Ramona Lopez-Ty of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, and Professor Manuel Zamora of the Intramuros Studies Center of Letran College are among the discussants.
The conference also features activities such as museum tours and walking tours.
For inquiries, call 8325422, 8325401, 832-9303-04 and 527-3155 or e-mail thegalleonintlconference@gmail.com.
