Impressions of an Archipelago: Legarda champions Philippine history in Germany

Frankfurt, Germany – Filipino culture and history was showcased at the 77th Frankfurt Book Fair as Senator Loren Legarda emphasized the strength of Filipino identity and the importance of collaboration. The occasion marked the launch of "Impressions of an Archipelago: Spanish Travelers and Writings on the Philippines" on 16 October, as part of the Philippines’ role as Guest of Honor.

Legarda opened her remarks by reflecting on the Philippines before colonization, portraying it as a nation rich in trade, governance, and language. “Long before the first chroniclers set ink to paper, the Philippines was already a nation of thought and discernment,” she said.

The book brings together twenty essays from fifteen scholars in Europe and the Philippines. Published in Spanish, German, and English, the collection examines how Spanish travelers from the 16th century to the present have observed and written about the archipelago. The work is divided into three volumes.

The first features reports from 1521 to 1794, including royal chronicles, Jesuit mission notes, and the renowned Boxer Codex. The second, in Spanish, collects travel writings from the 19th to 21st centuries, encompassing accounts by colonial officials, poets, and journalists.

The third, in German, is a multilingual gallery presenting observations from Spanish, Cuban, and Filipino travelers spanning the final years of Spanish rule to the modern Republic of the Philippines. Together, the three volumes create a comprehensive record of how the Philippines has been viewed and remembered across different eras.

As chair of the Senate Committee on Culture and the Arts, Legarda emphasized the importance of reclaiming Filipino historical narratives. “For generations, others have written about us; today, we write with them, beside them, and in our own voice,” she said. She described the book as both recovery and reclamation, calling it a form of cultural diplomacy grounded in respect and shared learning.

Legarda also credited the Philippine Studies Program, which she launched in 2017 and later supported at Ruhr University Bochum in 2019, for helping bring the project to life. The program, now active in 33 academic institutions worldwide, promotes research on Philippine history, language, ecology, and collective memory. “Each partnership reminds us that knowledge, pursued together, is the finest form of diplomacy,” she said.

Concluding her speech, Legarda affirmed the resilience and authenticity of the Filipino story. “As we share this work with the world here at the Frankfurter Buchmesse, we stand proud of the Filipino story as an enduring part of humanity’s larger journey,” she said.

The launch of "Impressions of an Archipelago" not only showcases the Philippines’ rich history and cultural heritage but also reinforces the country’s presence in global academic and literary circles. Through initiatives like the Philippine Studies Program, Legarda continues to strengthen international partnerships and ensure that Filipino voices remain at the forefront of historical and cultural discourse.