The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) received an authenticated copy of the historic Murillo Velarde 1734 Map during a ceremony held at the PRC NCR Regional Office in Quezon City on May 13, 2026.

PRC Chairperson Atty. Charito A. Zamora delivered the acceptance speech and expressed gratitude to Mr. Mel Velasco Velarde, Chairman of the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC) and the NOW Group, for the donation.

“The Commission appreciates that history should also be promoted along with professional competence,” Chairperson Zamora said. “Being a government agency that aims at nation building, we are convinced that knowing our past will help us develop our identities as public servants who are devoted to integrity and dedication to serving the Filipino nation. This map bridges the gap between historical data and modern professional execution… so may this authenticated copy inspire patriotism, deepen appreciation for our heritage, and remind us of the sacrifices and achievement that shaped our nation.”

Joining Chairperson Zamora at the ceremony were Assistant Commissioner Lord Louis P. Valera and their colleagues from PRC.

In his speech, Mr. Velarde highlighted a medal found on the map that described the professionals of the colonial period, including the bordaderos or embroiderers and the lamineros or engravers. He emphasized that the map preserves not only cartographic details, but also the memory, heritage, and pride of the nation’s ancestors.

Widely regarded as the “Mother of All Philippine Maps,” the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map played a key role in the Philippines’ legal victory in the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration on the West Philippine Sea. In December 2025, the map was officially declared a National Cultural Treasure by the National Library of the Philippines.

The turnover of the authenticated copy of the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map to the PRC forms part of the Mapa Natin, Kwento Natin campaign, an initiative that seeks to strengthen Filipinos’ appreciation for Philippine history and heritage. By bringing the historic map to institutions such as the PRC, the campaign underscores the role of professionals and public servants in preserving national identity, cultural memory, and patriotism for future generations.