A significant piece of Philippine art history found its place on the international stage as Juan Luna’s Una Bulaqueña was officially unveiled at the Louvre Abu Dhabi on June 16, 2025, in a ceremony marking a milestone in cultural diplomacy between the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates.
The installation was witnessed by Philippine Ambassador to the UAE H.E. Alfonso A. Ver, alongside Consul Regatta Marie Antonio-Escutin and Cultural Officer Patricia de Vries. Representing the National Museum of the Philippines were Deputy Director-General Jorell M. Legaspi, Museum Curator Caroline Marie Duque, and Museum Researcher Jonalyn Cornelio.
Ambassador Ver described the moment as a powerful symbol of collaboration. “The loan of Una Bulaqueña, a National Cultural Treasure painting by Juan Luna, shows the ever-deepening and dynamic bilateral relations of the two countries,” he said. “This significant cultural exchange reflects our shared commitment to fostering understanding and cooperation through art.”
Una Bulaqueña—translated as “a woman from Bulacan”—was painted by Luna in 1895. The artwork depicts a dignified Filipina in traditional attire: camisa, saya, pañuelo, and tapis, delicately holding a fan and handkerchief, evoking grace, status, and the quiet strength of the Ilustrado class during the Spanish colonial period.
The painting, which holds the distinction of being declared a National Cultural Treasure by the Philippines, will be on exhibit at the Louvre Abu Dhabi until June 2026. Its presence in the world-renowned museum marks a rare cultural collaboration and offers global audiences a window into the Philippines’ rich artistic legacy.
