Cebu capitol now holds replica of PH's oldest scientific map

CEBU CITY – The provincial government of Cebu is now in possession of the official replica of the oldest scientific map of the Philippines, Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said Friday.

The legendary Murillo Velarde Map of 1734 was a gift of businessman Mel Velasco Velarde to the governor who celebrated her birthday Thursday at the provincial capitol.

Garcia said the map is called the "mother of all Philippine maps," as it was first published in Manila in 1734 by Jesuit cartographer, Fr. Pedro Murillo Velarde.

The map considered to be the first scientific map ever produced to depict the Philippine archipelago.

"This is to award the Province of Cebu for the role it played in the past 500 years," Velarde, a descendant of the cartogrpaher, was quoted in a statement issued by the capitol.

Measuring 1120 by 1200 millimeters (112 by 120 centimeters), the map was used by the Philippine government in asserting the country's sovereign rights in the disputed territories in the West Philippine Sea.

It was not discussed yet where the replica will be displayed.

According to Geographicus Rare Antique Maps, the Murillo Velarde maps, along with 270 others, were used in the international arbitration to refute China's claim of historic suzerainty over the entire South China Sea.

The map recognized as early as 1700s that the Kalayaan Group of Islands and Scarborough Shoal are parts of the Philippine territory.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines stating that China had "no historical rights." But China rejected the ruling. (PNA)