Recognized as the oldest library in the country, the Miguel de Benavides Library houses several works of Nebrija, including Collectanea de variis auctoribus (1541-1549), the two-volume Dictionarium redivivum (1754), and Aelii Antonii Nebrissenis De Institutione Grammaticae libri quinque (1816), which are now located in the Antonio Vivencio del Rosario UST Heritage Library. Moreover, the Heritage Library also holds numerous works on grammar and dictionaries of various Philippine languages, including Arte de la Lengua Bisaya de la Provincia de Leyte (1663), Arte de la Lengua Tagala y Manual Tagalog (1796), and Arte de la Lengua Zebuana (1836), among others.

Join us at the UST Miguel de Benavides Library to explore Nebrija’s endurin

Instituto Cervantes and the University of Santo Tomas Miguel de Benavides Library, in partnership with the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines, the Antonio de Nebrija Foundation (Madrid), the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), and the National Library of Spain, is proud to present “Nebrija en Filipinas.” This prestigious exhibit, originally curated by Teresa Jiménez Calvente with contributions from Marlon James Sales of the University of the Philippines Diliman, will feature the works of Antonio de Nebrija from August 22, 2024, to November 22, 2024, at the Exhibit Area of the UST Miguel de Benavides Library.

Embark on a unique cultural odyssey into the pioneering legacy of Elio Antonio de Nebrija, a renowned Spanish grammarian whose contributions profoundly influenced linguistic milestones in the Philippines and the world. Nebrija’s works inspired the creation of missionary grammar and vocabulary for native Amerindian and Philippine languages.

Instituto Cervantes previously displayed this exhibit in Intramuros from March 12 to July 20, 2024. The exhibit is an adaptation of the Nebrija exhibition by the National Library of Spain, commemorating the quincentennial anniversary of Nebrija’s legacy. Featuring immersive panels and rare book displays, the exhibition vividly showcases Nebrija’s cultural contributions and contextualizes his influence on the earliest grammars of Philippine vernacular languages, shaped by his pioneering teachings.

Recognized as the oldest library in the country, the Miguel de Benavides Library houses several works of Nebrija, including Collectanea de variis auctoribus (1541-1549), the two-volume Dictionarium redivivum (1754), and Aelii Antonii Nebrissenis De Institutione Grammaticae libri quinque (1816), which are now located in the Antonio Vivencio del Rosario UST Heritage Library. Moreover, the Heritage Library also holds numerous works on grammar and dictionaries of various Philippine languages, including Arte de la Lengua Bisaya de la Provincia de Leyte (1663), Arte de la Lengua Tagala y Manual Tagalog (1796), and Arte de la Lengua Zebuana (1836), among others.

Join us at the UST Miguel de Benavides Library to explore Nebrija’s enduring legacy and profound impact on languages and scholarship in an exhibit that promises to enlighten and inspire, resonating through centuries and across continents.

For further information about the cultural program of Instituto Cervantes de Manila, please visit their website (https://manila.cervantes.es), or follow Instituto Cervantes on the following social media pages: (Facebook: InstitutoCervantesManila; Instagram: institutocervantesmanila).

Funded by the European Union (EU) and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) through the GOJUST Human Rights programme, the building’s modern facilities and strategic location in Tumaga Porcentro will allow CHR to serve communities in Region IX and nearby areas more effectively.

At the ceremony, CHR’s Chairperson, Hon. Richard Palpal-Latoc stated “It brings much enthusiasm to the CHR’s human resources, particularly in the regions, to work in a conducive place where the environment may be equivalent to their second home. Having their own building means giving them the pride and dignity to uphold their respective responsibilities as civil servants and human rights defenders. This also means making the CHR and its services more accessible and visible to the people.”

“We see a link in supporting the work of the Commission on Human Rights in Zamboanga and the EU’s support to peace and development in Mindanao. In the end, it is about enabling the Filipino citizens to live in a world, which offers dignity, opportunities, justice and fair treatment. By inaugurating this building today, we help to move the needle in this direction”, explained European Union Ambassador Luc Véron.

Ambassador Miguel Utray Delgado from Spain stated that “One of the strongest alliances of the Spanish Cooperation with Philippine government institutions is the one we have with the Commission on Human Rights. Together with the EU (…) we have successfully supported a bridge-building between the society and the government for the human rights protection and promotion.”

The new building will provide a platform for the CHR to facilitate access to remedies from human rights violations, bolster human rights education and training, and enhance awareness of human rights mechanisms.

With the inauguration of Zamboanga’s building (php15 million), the Commission now boasts nine (9) regional offices. Two more buildings, in San Pablo, Laguna and Davao City, are to be completed over the coming months to help the CHR provide prompt, accessible and responsive services to citizens in regions 4A and 11.