PastsRevisitedExhibit

WRITERS TO WRITERS

The reward of delight often goes to the curious, because stories abound. But one must look closely to capture details that reveal more than is immediately evident.

There is a panel in the exhibit #PastsRevisited, right beside the image of Senator Nene Pimentel’s speech, “Prof. Renato Constantino: A Prophet of the People,” that shows the way writers Edilberto N. Alegre and Doreen G. Fernandez interacted Renato Constantino and Letizia Roxas Constantino. Alegre and Fernandez wrote Lasa: A Guide to Dining in the Provinces together, and both conveyed by hand their [READ]

RENATO2026-07-24T15:16:54+08:00July 23, 2026|Tags: PastsRevisitedExhibit|

A Romance of Minds and Hearts

Letizia found Renato’s mind deeply attractive. He was clearly handsome, she once told her grandchildren, and his sense of integrity stood out above his peers, but she was captivated by his mind and found in him an equal and a sweetheart she would love deeply till her dying days.

As someone who was on her way to the career of a concert pianist, Letizia Roxas was fascinated with Renato Constantino, the writer who taught himself how to read music sheets so he could listen to concertos and operas. But he never played any music instrument. He did not play chess either but he had with him numerous chessbooks by reknowned grandmasters so he could replay and relive the great matches in his mind. When he was courting her he would often bring at least ten books to [READ]

RENATO2026-07-24T15:18:29+08:00July 21, 2026|Tags: PastsRevisitedExhibit|

Bakit wala pa ang Pilipinas sa world cup? Isang Tanong sa Kolonyal na Isipan

(Alay sa mapanuring diwa ng mga makabayang historyador na sina Renato at Letizia Constantino. Ang eksibit tungkol sa kanilang buhay at kaisipan sa Yuchengco Museum ay bukas hanggang Hulyo 31.)

May mga pangarap na isinilang upang lumipad, Ngunit itinurong gumapang sa sariling bakuran. Kaya’t muli nating itanong— Bakit wala pa ang Pilipinas sa World Cup?

Bakit hanggang ngayon, wari’y mailap ang pangarap? Bakit sa basketbol lamang halos umiikot ang gunita, Samantalang napakalawak ng mundo at pag-asa, At napakaraming landas tungo sa tagumpay?

Hindi kasalanan ng basketbol—marangal ang laro. Ngunit bakit iisa lamang ang ating pinupunlang turo? Kapag iisang binhi lamang ang ating dinidiligan, Paano uusbong ang iba pang halamang kailangan?

Marahil may anino pa ng lumang kaisipan; Humanga bago magsuri, sumunod bago lumaban. Gumaya bago lumikha—iyan ang lumang aral; Kaya madalas ang pangarap ay nauuwi na lamang sa dasal.

Para tayong nagtatanim ng punla sa lilim na walang sinag, Saka nagtatakang bakit hindi sumisibol ang [READ]

RENATO2026-07-20T15:05:34+08:00July 20, 2026|Tags: PastsRevisitedExhibit|

Three weddings and a usable past

By WILSON LEE FLORES, The Philippine Star

Published Jul 19, 2026 5:00 am

There is a curious alchemy to marriage—that mysterious collision of two lives becoming one shared story.

Some unions glitter with the wattage of wealth and celebrity. Others endure like ancient coral reefs, shaped patiently by unseen tides. Then there are those rare partnerships that not only transform two hearts but also help awaken the memory of a formerly colonized nation.

In one remarkable week, three marriages—one unexpectedly reborn, one diamond-bright after 60 years, and one that continues to illuminate our national consciousness—reminded me that what binds people is never merely ceremony. It is the quiet courage to keep dancing with history.

Actors Bea Alonzo and Puregold executive Vincent Co [READ]

RENATO2026-07-19T22:37:10+08:00July 19, 2026|Tags: PastsRevisitedExhibit|

Historian to Historian

At the #PastsRevisited exhibit, there is a handwritten note that gives visitors a sense of the scholarly ties that animated key figures who wrote about our people’s past.

“May I tell you how much I have enjoyed Renato Constantino’s INSIGHT AND FORESIGHT and congratulate you both for having made many of the original articles possible,” wrote the historian William Henry Scott to the journalist Luis “Morik” Mauricio on 22 September 1977, after the publication of Constantino’s book, which Mauricio had edited. Scott thanked Mauricio [READ]

RENATO2026-07-23T13:04:44+08:00July 17, 2026|Tags: PastsRevisitedExhibit|

Art, History, and Music in Harmony: A Filipino Equation

Silaw Artist Collective will have a

show in October at the Yuchengco Museum. You can

see the painter Eghai Roxas getting acquainted with the

space while an ensemble practices pieces on the floor.

A lovely Filipino equation: Art + history + music =

busog. Letizia and Renato would approve! 🎹🎼🎻

See original story here:

🔗https://www.facebook.com/reel/442834

RENATO2026-07-17T14:49:02+08:00July 17, 2026|Tags: PastsRevisitedExhibit|

TREES AND SEAS

There is a lot more to say about July 12, the day “an international tribunal invalidated China’s expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea,” a ruling that “continues to reshape the region’s strategic and legal landscape.”*

It is elating so many continue to add their voices to the recognition of jurisdictions covering Philippine territory. Many have pledged life and limb to the cause. Yet should we not expect the same drive and energy directed at protecting what is within reach? Sovereignty is not an abstract concept.

It is easy to stake a claim on islands only few have seen, touched, or stood on. But what about esteros in our neighborhoods? And who will lift a finger to protect and propagate our native trees and plants? Ficus trees that served as [READ]

RENATO2026-07-23T13:02:19+08:00July 13, 2026|Tags: PastsRevisitedExhibit|

FRIENDSHIP ACROSS GENERATIONS

The exhibit Pasts Revisited contains details about the intellectual collaboration and friendship enjoyed by Renato Constantino and Letizia Constantino with scholars over the years. One letter shows the humorous interaction of Letizia with one of the authors of Roots of Dependency, the seminal study on the political and economic revolution in 19th century Philippines published in 1979 by the Foundation for Nationalist Studies (FNS), which was established by Renato and Letizia. FNS would be later renamed the Constantino Foundation after the passing of Renato in 1999.

Renato and Letizia held the authors of Roots of Dependency, Jonathan Fast and Jim Richardson, in high regard. They were esteemed colleagues and dear friends. In 1985, Fast would write about Letizia: “Letty’s correspondence was … to the point. And intimidating. ‘Dear Jon, on page 268 line 17 you said—’ [READ]

RENATO2026-07-17T14:26:12+08:00July 12, 2026|Tags: PastsRevisitedExhibit|

“Pasts Revisited” exhibit extended until July 31 by Flow Galindez

RENATO2026-07-17T14:26:12+08:00July 7, 2026|Tags: PastsRevisitedExhibit|

The Constantino legacy exhibit just got extended: here is why you need to go

by Astig.PH

MAKATI, Philippines (Jul 2026): You have a few more weeks to catch a rare look at the love letters and personal artifacts of the couple who changed how we look at our own history. The Constantino Foundation and Yuchengco Museum officially extended the run of “Pasts Revisited: An Exhibit on a Usable History and the Romance of Renato Constantino and Letizia Roxas Constantino” until July 31, 2026.

Located at the RCBC Plaza in Makati City, the showcase focuses on the celebrated husband and wife historian duo. Organizers decided to keep the doors open longer because of high demand and the sheer size of the collection. This is the first time the public can see personal items like Renato’s writing desk and his wood pipes. Legend has it that National Artist Vicente Manansala once traded a custom painting just to get his hands on one of those pipes.

A look at Pinoy [READ]

RENATO2026-07-17T14:26:12+08:00July 6, 2026|Tags: PastsRevisitedExhibit|