AIJC, QC LGU Successfully Hold Teacher Training on the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map
Quezon City, Philippines—The Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC), in partnership with the Quezon City Government, successfully piloted a one-day national teacher training titled “Mapping Our Roots: Teaching History Through Murillo Velarde 1734 Map” on December 2, 2025, in Quezon City.
The training, part of AIJC’s national campaign, Mapa Natin, Kwento Natin (Our Map, Our Story), aimed to strengthen the capacity of Grade 10 Araling Panlipunan and Senior High School Media and Information Literacy (MIL) teachers to integrate the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map into classroom instruction.
Through historically grounded, evidence-based teaching, the program helped teachers combat misinformation and disinformation about the West Philippine Sea, and use news literacy tools that promote critical thinking and information verification among learners.
The sessions guided teachers in using the 1734 Murillo Velarde Map—regarded as the “Mother of All Philippine Maps”—to explain the historical and legal foundations of the Philippines’ maritime rights and to frame the West Philippine Sea as both a sovereignty and sustainable development issue.
Mr. Engelbert Apostol, Department Head of the Quezon City Public Affairs and Information Services Department opened the training. Apostol noted that Quezon City has been recognized by UNESCO as one of the pilot Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Cities, emphasizing that the training is a crucial step in strengthening public understanding of history and sharpening critical thinking skills—both essential tools in combating disinformation.
The resource persons were AIJC Chairman Mel V. Velarde, who donated to the Republic of the Philippines an original Murillo Velarde 1734 Map that he secured through an auction at Sotheby’s London; AIJC Trustee and Senior Director for Research, Policy, and Advocacy Ann Lourdes C. Lopez; and AIJC President Therese San Diego Torres. AIJC Associate Director Janess Ann J. Ellao served as emcee and workshop facilitator. The Institute has previously conducted workshops on media and information literacy for teachers across the country.
The Murillo Velarde 1734 Map played a vital role in the Philippines’ victory in the 2016 arbitration case against China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which upheld the country’s sovereign rights over its exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea.
The Quezon City pilot training is the first in a planned nationwide series of teacher training programs in partnership with local government units (LGUs) and institutional partners and sponsors.
About the Mapa Natin, Kwento Natin Campaign
Launched in 2024, Mapa Natin, Kwento Natin is a nationwide campaign launched by AIJC in partnership with the National Library of the Philippines and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). It uses creative and youth-driven storytelling to promote historical awareness and national pride.
The campaign has also collaborated with P-Pop groups SB19 and 1st One to engage younger audiences through music and culture. These partnerships have produced educational videos, cultural events, and the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map-inspired song “Map Your Vibe (MYV)” by 1st One, which was launched during the 2025 ASEAN-Korea Music Festival (ROUND Festival).
The campaign continues with the teacher training, piloted in Quezon City, which will be replicated nationwide.
Contact Details
For media inquiries, partnerships, or sponsorship opportunities, please contact:
Ms. Loregene Macapugay
Program Officer II, Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC)
Email address: rpa@aijci.com
Contact number: 0945-882-0962 (mobile/Viber), (02) 8743-4321 (landline)