Despite a last-minute appeal from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) to stop Saturday’s auction, the “personal flag” of Katipunan founder and revolutionary Andres Bonifacio, sewn by his wife, Gregoria de Jesus, was sold by Leon Gallery for P9.3 million. The sale pushed through despite NHCP’s “appeal” because the flag and other historical documents and relics on auction were “privately owned” and “we have an obligation to the consignors,” said Leon Gallery director Jaime Ponce de Leon. ADVERTISEMENTKatipunan membership documents were sold for P818,000 while a very rare brass medallion worn by members of the Katipunan supreme council was sold for P876,000. Pioneering modernist and abstractionist Fernando Zobel’s “Saeta 52 or Pared Madrileña” was sold for P32 million, while National Artist Jose Joya’s “Carnival” was sold for P25.7 million. CounterproductiveGovernment moves to stop auctions of historical documents are counterproductive, according to Ponce de Leon.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer September 09, 2018 23:15 UTC