US Ambassador Harry K. Thomas Jr.US Ambassador Harry K. Thomas Jr. lauded the Lopez Memorial Museum (LMM) for its impressive collection of Philippine art and artifacts, its art conservation services and community outreach program that distinguish it from the other local museums he has recently visited.

Eugenio Lopez Foundation Inc. board members led by chairman Oscar M. Lopez (OML) and museum director Mercedes L. Vargas welcomed the envoy, who is making the rounds of the country’s top galleries. The Eugenio Lopez Foundation administers the LMM.

Lopez briefed Thomas on the collections, facilities and programs of the museum, particularly the work done at the Roberto M. Lopez Conservation Center. Lopez said, “A museum is not just a repository of art. It must be a living institution that plays a role in society. This is why the Museum has a vibrant education program that includes such offerings as workshops and thought-provoking public talks and roundtable discussions…We invite the embassy’s staff to feel free in accessing the museum’s resources in the conduct of their duties. We also invite you and your staff to participate in the museum’s activities as a means of reaching out to local artists and scholars.”

Curatorial consultant Eileen Legaspi-Ramirez conducted a guided tour of the museum and library while chief conservator Maita Reyes conducted a tour of the conservation laboratory.

Thomas said, “Today was truly unique for the breadth and scope, not only of the art and presentation but also of your conservation and the vision for the future.”

US envoy lauds Lopez MuseumLopez urged the American embassy officials to look into ways of “making it even easier for Philippine scholars to access records in the American Archives through the museum’s facilities.”

Also present were Eugenio Lopez Foundation board members Federico R. Lopez and Rafael M. Alunan III, First Philippine Holdings Corporation chief operating officer Elpidio L. Ibañez and Knowledge Channel Foundation president Rina Lopez-Bautista.

The Lopez Memorial Museum (LMM) is one of the oldest, privately owned museum and library in the Philippines. Founded on February 13, 1960, it was built by Eugenio Lopez, Sr to provide scholars and students access to his personal collection of rare Filipiniana books, manuscripts, maps, archeological artifacts and fine arts. Its library now ranks as one of the finest in Asia. The collection currently counts some 20,000 Filipianiana titles by 12,000 authors, rare books, manuscripts, journals, newspapers, microfilms, photographs, charts and maps, and literary works in various languages. LMM endeavors to create stimulating learning encounters with aspects of Philippine material and non-material heritage by opening up its collections both to visitors and scholars.