In November of last year, I had the opportunity to attend a numismatic lecture at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Since it was happening on the same day, I also decided to attend a concert at the Manila Cathedral.
I arrived at the BSP several hours early so I could visit their museum as well. The BSP entrance closest to the museum is along Roxas Boulevard and is within walking distance from the Quirino LRT Station. The building that houses the museum is just a few meters away from Gate 6, which is also where they hold public events such as the numismatic lecture I attended.
While modern and sleek, the BSP Museum was somewhat underwhelming. It does give visitors a general overview of the evolution of money in the Philippines, but I’ve seen more expansive and interesting collections from private individuals. What did impress me, however, was the staff. Everyone I encountered was very polite, courteous, and helpful.
As far as precolonial gold is concerned, the Ayala Museum has, in my opinion, the most impressive collection, one that even dwarfs that of the National Museum. Meanwhile, the BPI Museum in Cebu has a very good collection of paper money issued from the late 1800s to the present.
The lecture itself was not what I expected. Rather than focusing on numismatics in the traditional sense, it centered on the plants and animals featured in the new coins and paper bills issued by the BSP.
One amusing moment came when an attendee asked whether the BSP had any plans to mint bullion coins. The speaker deflected the question and asked someone else if they were at liberty to answer it, an exchange that made it sound like such plans do exist. After all, Palawan Pawnshop and Cebuana Lhuillier, both BSP-regulated institutions, have recently begun minting gold bars and coins, which suggests that the idea isn’t entirely off the table.
Another amusing exchange occurred when someone asked what metal the new coins were made of. Interestingly, the speaker didn’t answer the question directly.
After the lecture, refreshments were served. Yes, this is where your taxes go.
When the lecture ended, it was already raining, and I decided not to attend the concert anymore. I didn’t even know how to get to Intramuros by jeepney, so my only option seemed to be taking a cab. But it appeared that God had other plans. I met an old man who taught me how to get to Intramuros without taking one. He even offered to take me there himself on his bike.
I still had to walk quite a distance from where the jeepney dropped me off, so by the time I arrived at the Manila Cathedral, I was exhausted. Outside, a long line greeted me, and for a moment I regretted not just heading home from the BSP.
But I was already there. After using an expensive paid toilet, I braved the line.
Once inside the cathedral, I was instantly greeted by a cold blast from the air-conditioning. I’m not sure if that was only for the event, but it was a pleasant surprise. Seeing the stage and the lights, the exhaustion I felt quickly melted away, replaced by joy and enthusiasm.
It was my first time attending such an event, and it did not disappoint. The acoustics inside the cathedral were excellent, and the performance itself was breathtaking.
Little did I know that the name of the concert would turn out to be deeply foretelling and auspicious.
The past year has been a complete banner year for me. Had someone told me in 2024 that I would be doing what I did in 2025, I wouldn’t have believed them.
It’s time to create our own kind of music and sing our own special song because the sacred voice within has finally awakened.
Comments
Post a Comment