AYALA Museum’s new exhibit, Turning Tides: Maritime Encounters and Exchanges of Power, reexamines the Battle of Mactan and the Battles of La Naval de Manila as part of the broader networks of trade, faith, diplomacy, and conflict that shaped Philippine history.
From July 16, 2026 to Feb. 14, 2027 at the Museum’s 3F Main Gallery, the exhibit includes historical artifacts, paintings, devotional items, multimedia installations, and interactive experiences that explore how the archipelago’s maritime connectivity has influenced Filipino identity.
The exhibit grew out of curator Jei Ente’s interest in exploring the Filipino people’s relationship with the sea and the role of maritime activities in shaping the country’s history.
“I had a vision for the exhibition in 2023 about how, as a people whose culture is built on marine activities, Filipinos have a relationship with water that comes in ways that we don’t always realize or understand,” Ms. Ente said in an interview.
He said that the Battle of Mactan in 1521 and the Battle of La Naval in 1646 were chosen because “although they are very different, they are similar stories that Filipinos have long been part of a large trade network connected by sea”.
Rather than presenting new historical information, the exhibition aims to offer new ways of understanding familiar events.
“This exhibition does not promise new information, rather it provides new information in the way we remember these accounts,” said Ms. Ente. “Part of the Turning Tides discussion is about the worldview and ways of the islanders in 1521 and 1646 to help our visitors think better and understand what was at stake for those who went to these wars.”
The exhibition expands the discussion beyond military encounters by examining the commercial, cultural, and religious forces behind them.
“When we think of major wars and conflicts, we tend to focus on their military and political forces. But wars are often the culmination of deep struggles over trade, culture, religion, and other competing interests,” Ms. Ente said.
Among the highlights are Fernando Amorsolo’s The Traders and The First Baptism, a 19th-century portrait of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary known as La Japona, an ivory and gold rosary recovered from a San Diego shipwreck, and the ceremonial vestments of Our Lady of La Naval.
The exhibit also features scale models of Spanish and pre-colonial Philippine ships, a short animated film inspired by the stories of Antonio Pigafetta, and five interactive digital modules, including a Battle of Mactan video game.
“Most Filipinos know the importance of the Battle of Mactan, but not as many know the role that Filipinos played in the Battle of La Naval, which destroyed the Dutch military’s campaign to control Southeast Asia,” said Ms. Ente. “Through these stories and the twists and turns of fascinating characters, we hope visitors think about how choices made centuries ago still affect us today.”
Ayala Foundation Arts and Culture Executive Director Jorell M. Legaspi said the exhibition highlights the country’s historical role in regional and global trade.
“Turning Tides presents the Philippines as a vibrant intersection of trade, diplomacy, religion, and cultural exchange. It demonstrates the Ayala Museum’s commitment to preserving Philippine heritage and making it accessible, relevant, and meaningful to our growing audience,” he said.
Ms Ente said she hopes visitors leave with a deep appreciation of how history continues to shape the present.
“Ultimately, I hope visitors leave realizing that history becomes truly meaningful when we see it not just as a record of the past, but as a form of shared memory that continues to shape who we are today.” – Kaizzer Angela Marie V. Manuba
