Young descendant explores the legacy of Marcelo H. Del Pilar in Ayala Museum pop-up exhibit

 

LOLO MARCELO: THE MAN BEHIND THE HERO, curated by Pax Pineda, offers a personal look at the sacrifices and humanity behind one of the Philippines’ foremost propagandists

Manila, Philippines – Manila, Philippines – At 17, Pax Pineda turns his personal connection to Philippine history into a public exploration of one of the country’s most influential propagandists.

Running from September 4 to October 17, 2026 at the 2F Lobby of Ayala Museum's Diorama Experience Gallery, LOLO MARCELO: THE MAN BEHIND THE HERO (Reflections on the Legacy of Marcelo H. Del Pilar) bridges the gap bridge the gap between history and personal heritage, transforming Del Pilar from a mere historical icon into a relatable figure whose spirit continues to inspire.

Pax Pineda, the great-great-great-grandson of Marcelo H. Del Pilar collaborates with Ayala Museum and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines to present a collection of artifacts, letters, and artworks that examines not only Del Pilar’s contributions to the Propaganda Movement, but also the lesser-known truths behind his legacy.

Pineda frames the exhibit as an opportunity to see Del Pilar from a relatable lens: equally as a hero, a journalist, a lawyer, and a husband, a father, and a Filipino who made profound sacrifices for a cause larger than himself.

“I am very grateful to have this opportunity to tell, show, and share my Lolo Marcelo's story the same week as what would have been his 176^th birth anniversary. Last month at NHCP’s HistoEx, Lolo Marcelo’s journey was also shown and discussed in an exhibit there and I’m so happy it was well attended. But I also want to share the other side felt by his family, and how their lives were marked by profound sacrifice. He left his family and his homeland in 1888 to escape persecution and continue his fight for justice in Madrid. He not only edited it, wrote for it, but also ended up financing La Solidaridad when funds dried up leaving him penniless. Yet, his legacy endures. His dedication to the cause of freedom, coupled with his roles as a devoted father and husband, humanizes his storied life.” Ayala Museum curator, Tenten Mina adds that MH Del Pilar is particularly interesting and relevant as we celebrate the Year of Diplomatic History and Diaspora during history month 2026. Mina adds, “he endured physical separation from family and loved ones for the sake of the greater good—a sacrifice many Filipinos still make today.”

Known by his pen name Plaridel, Marcelo H. Del Pilar was one of the leaders of the Propaganda Movement that fought for reform and equal rights for Filipinos during the twilight years of the Spanish Colonial Era. While his written works, Dasalan at Tocsohan and La Solidaridad are widely remembered by the public as his major contributions to our independence, the personal sacrifices of the propagandist to launch and sustain these efforts are less-known.

The exhibit also aims to shine a light on the more intimate dimension of Del Pilar’s life. Born in Bulacan, Del Pilar trained as a lawyer before becoming a journalist, writer, and reform advocate. He left the Philippines in 1888 amid persecution and continued his campaign for reforms in Spain. His commitment came at considerable personal cost, including prolonged separation from his family and financial hardship from personally supporting La Solidaridad. He died of tuberculosis in Barcelona in 1896, far from the country he sought to serve.

“Ayala Museum is more than happy to collaborate with young individuals who would want to share these important stories of Filipino heritage with their peers. Projects such as this illustrate our deeply held belief at the museum that history and culture carry values relevant to each generation and that it is our job to provide a space for these conversations to happen,” shares Jorell Legaspi, Senior Director for Arts and Culture at Ayala Foundation.

The artifacts featured in the exhibition are on loan from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and transported from the Marcelo H. Del Pilar Shrine in Bulakan, Bulacan — a national shrine and museum dedicated to the Filipino propagandist, journalist, and lawyer. Ayala Museum and the NHCP have been long-time collaborators and partners in the promotion of a deeper understanding of the story of the Filipino nation. Aprille Tijam, Associate Director at Ayala Museum adds “we envision that this pocket exhibition will be the first of many more curatorial projects that seek to explore significant events and figures in Philippine history not featured within the Ayala Museum’s 60 Dioramas of Philippine history.”

 

About the curator

Pax Pineda is a 17-year-old Filipino high school senior at the ESF South Island School in Hong Kong. He has been deeply interested in History, particularly American History, from an early age. His interest first came when he and his family travelled to the U.S. for a vacation and spent 24 hours in Washington D.C. Over the last few years, he has increasingly become more interested in Philippine History, especially in the life and work of Marcelo H. Del Pilar, who is his direct great, great, great grandfather.

Pax has been nurturing his love for History for more than a decade, whether it be through writing about it in his free time; reading numerous history books, or currently, through a passion project with Ayala Museum — a pop-up exhibit on Marcelo H. Del Pilar. College plans include majoring in History at a university in the US. In his free time, he is an avid footballer, having played for years in the highest division of youth football in Hong Kong. He also enjoys running, watching sports, videogames, and spending time with friends and family.