Proponent/Claimant
Sheldon Ives G. Agaton
Abstract
Museums are important institutions that take custody of various objects ranging from historical and archaeological to natural and cultural objects. Every locality must have this kind of physical space to gather, preserve, and exhibit valuable objects for people to see. These treasured objects are showcased in museums not only to be viewed but also to be understood in terms of their historical, cultural, and scientific relevance. For Resil B. Mojares, professor emeritus at the University of San Carlos in Cebu, these are "enigmatic objects"—a term he coins to underscore the importance of these articles and items because of their peculiarity and mystifying appearance. As a National Artist for Literature, he is in a good position to cast the nature, history, development, and present status of the country's national library and museum. Having written numerous books like House of Memory: Essays (Mojares 1997), Isabelo's Archive (Mojares 2013), and Casa Gorordo in Cebu: Urban Residence in a Philippine Province, 1860–1920 (Mojares 1983), just to name a few, Mojares is a standout when it comes to studies on social memory and cultural preservation. In Enigmatic Objects, Mojares emphasizes the value of not just establishing museums but also enhancing, preserving, and highlighting the different items that are exhibited in them. Museums must display their exhibited objects with a certain level of reverence to allow for a more meaningful connection between the viewers and viewed items.
Name of Research Journal
Philippine Studies: Historical and Ethnographic Viewpoints
Volume and Issue No.
Volume 73, Issue No. 2
Date/Year of Publication
July 1, 2025
Citation
Agaton, S.I.G. (2025). [Review of the book Enigmatic Objects: Notes Towards a History of the Museum in the Philippines, by Resil B. Mojares]. Philippine Studies: Historical and Ethnographic Viewpoints 73(2), 253-256. https://muse.jhu.edu/article/963771.
