Nebrija en Filipinas: A Journey Through Philippine Languages at the UST Library

Wazzup Pilipinas!?



Instituto Cervantes and the University of Santo Tomas Miguel de Benavides Library, in partnership with the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines, the Antonio de Nebrija Foundation (Madrid), the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), and the National Library of Spain, is proud to present “Nebrija en Filipinas.” This prestigious exhibit, originally curated by Teresa Jiménez Calvente with contributions from Marlon James Sales of the University of the Philippines Diliman, will feature the works of Antonio de Nebrija from August 22, 2024, to November 22, 2024, at the Exhibit Area of the UST Miguel de Benavides Library.

Embark on a unique cultural odyssey into the pioneering legacy of Elio Antonio de Nebrija, a renowned Spanish grammarian whose contributions profoundly influenced linguistic milestones in the Philippines and the world. Nebrija's works inspired the creation of missionary grammar and vocabulary for native Amerindian and Philippine languages.

Instituto Cervantes previously displayed this exhibit in Intramuros from March 12 to July 20, 2024. The exhibit is an adaptation of the Nebrija exhibition by the National Library of Spain, commemorating the quincentennial anniversary of Nebrija’s legacy. Featuring immersive panels and rare book displays, the exhibition vividly showcases Nebrija’s cultural contributions and contextualizes his influence on the earliest grammars of Philippine vernacular languages, shaped by his pioneering teachings.

Recognized as the oldest library in the country, the Miguel de Benavides Library houses several works of Nebrija, including Collectanea de variis auctoribus (1541-1549), the two-volume Dictionarium redivivum (1754), and Aelii Antonii Nebrissenis De Institutione Grammaticae libri quinque (1816), which are now located in the Antonio Vivencio del Rosario UST Heritage Library. Moreover, the Heritage Library also holds numerous works on grammar and dictionaries of various Philippine languages, including Arte de la Lengua Bisaya de la Provincia de Leyte (1663), Arte de la Lengua Tagala y Manual Tagalog (1796), and Arte de la Lengua Zebuana (1836), among others.

Join us at the UST Miguel de Benavides Library to explore Nebrija’s enduring legacy and profound impact on languages and scholarship in an exhibit that promises to enlighten and inspire, resonating through centuries and across continents.

For further information about the cultural program of Instituto Cervantes de Manila, please visit their website (https://manila.cervantes.es), or follow Instituto Cervantes on the following social media pages: (Facebook: InstitutoCervantesManila; Instagram: institutocervantesmanila).