Lolo Marcelo: The Man Behind the Hero at Ayala Museum Explores Marcelo H. Del Pilar’s Personal Legacy
Lolo Marcelo: The Man Behind the Hero (Reflections on the Legacy of Marcelo H. Del Pilar) is an exhibition at Ayala Museum in Makati that explores the life of hero Marcelo H. Del Pilar through family, sacrifice, and the personal cost of patriotism.
Running from September 4 to October 18, 2026, the exhibition is presented at the 2F Lobby of Ayala Museum’s Diorama Experience Gallery. Admission to the exhibition is free.
IMAGE from Lolo Marcelo: The Man Behind the Hero’s Press Release
Rather than focusing only on Del Pilar’s political work and historical contributions, the exhibition looks at the person behind the public figure. Through personal documents and historical materials, it examines his relationships with his family, the difficulties he faced while living abroad, and the sacrifices he made while pursuing reform.
Among the materials featured are Dasalan at Tocsohan, La Solidaridad, and personal letters that offer a closer look at Del Pilar as a husband and father. His correspondence with his daughters Sofia and Anita shows how he remained involved in their lives despite being separated from them by thousands of miles.
The exhibition also looks at the hardships Del Pilar experienced, including poverty, isolation, and homesickness. These personal accounts provide another perspective on the choices he made and the impact of his political work on his family life.
IMAGE from Lolo Marcelo: The Man Behind the Hero’s Press Release
The exhibit is curated by Pax Pineda, a 17-year-old Filipino high school senior and also Del Pilar’s descendant. Based in Hong Kong, Pineda developed an interest in history from an early age and later became increasingly interested in Philippine history, particularly in the life and work of Del Pilar.
Pax Pineda, Exhibition Curator/IMAGE from Lolo Marcelo: The Man Behind the Hero’s Press Release
Pineda’s perspective is shaped by his position as both a descendant and researcher. While his family connection gives the exhibition a personal dimension, he approached the project as a historical inquiry grounded in research.
His own experience as a Filipino growing up in Hong Kong also informs the exhibition. Pineda sees parallels between Del Pilar’s life abroad and the experiences of Filipinos in the diaspora who live away from their families while working toward better opportunities for those at home.
Through this approach, the exhibit presents history through personal experiences such as love, separation, sacrifice, and responsibility, giving younger audiences another way to understand Del Pilar beyond dates and political events.
The exhibition is co-presented by Ayala Museum and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.
