The Philippines, the First ASEAN Culture Capital 2010–2011, will host the International Día del Galeón Festival 2010: Connecting Continents. With a 250-year history that connected four continents, the Galleon Trade was an essential trade route that served as a vessel for cultural exchange.
The trade involved 250-year-old ships called galleons, which were built by expert Filipino seafarers out of Philippine hardwood.
"The whole world knows about the Silk Route, the Amber Road, but what about the Galleon Trade? For more than 250 years, the Philippines was the center of the world, with Asian, European and Latin American goods being traded on its very soil," the NCCA said.
It added, "Via the galleon, Mexican chocolate was brought to Asia, Spanish music was brought to the Philippines, and the world was introduced to Philippine abaca and flowers like the ylang-ylang."
Andalucia
A galleon named Andalucia is said to be the first vessel to have successfully gone around the world.Two hundred and fifty years later, a replica of the galleon sets sail for the Philippines in an effort to highlight the country's role in global trade and cultural exchange.
The new ship, built by the Fundacion Nao Victoria in Spain, will be docked at Pier 13 in Manila from October 6 to 9, 2010.
"Inside the galleon, everything is a replica from the 17th century, from the furniture to everything else. Everything was studied, we even tried to copy the commands (used by the ship's controls) from documents," said Fundacion Nao Victoria's Ignacio Fernandez in Spanish, as translated by Guadalupe Fernandez Morente.
He added, "When they get to see the replica, people will feel how people sailing in the galleon lived in the ship. We hope everybody can enjoy the galleon."
It will serve as the centerpiece for the first international Dia del Galeon Festival, which aims to "assess the impact of the Galleon Trade as a vessel of cultural transmission across the continents of Asia, Americas, Africa and Europe in terms of food, agriculture, arts, customs, knowledge and world views."
Relevance
Dia del Galeon festival director Cecile Guidote Alvarez noted that Filipinos have already expressed "much excitement and interest" over Andalucia's arrival, and is hoping that more people will take part in the events they have lined up this year.
"We want to recharge connectivity and relive history. We also want Filipinos to take pride in their heritage and creativity," she said, adding that they are also aiming for the "advancement of the welfare of Filipino seafarers."
Sen. Edgardo Angara, chairman of the Dia del Galeon festival, said, "We want to come back to these past centuries to remind ourselves of our rich history. Connectedness, that's what we're commemorating."
Asked about the relevance of the centuries-old galleon to modern-day living, Angara said, "The same exchange is actually taking place today, (only through different means)."
The Spanish community, meanwhile, has also commended the Philippines for spearheading the world's first Dia del Galeon festival.
Maria Molina, representative of the Spanish Embassy of the Philippines, said Andalucia serves as a "tool of cultural diplomacy" and "marvelous way to celebrate our past."
Here is there schedule...
THE GALEON ANDALUCIA (OCTOBER 6-9THE GALEON ANDALUCIA (OCTOBER 6-9)
The Galeon Andalucia is a replica of the 17th century Galleon. Guest can hop on-board and jump into history!
WHERE: PIER 13, SOUTH HARBOR, MANILA (Next to Manila Hotel)
ADMISSION: FREE
DATES
October 6 1:00 pm - 4:00pm
October 7 9:00am – 12:00 noon, 1:00 pm - 4:00pm
October 8 8:00am – 12:00 noon, 1:00 pm - 4:00pm
October 9 8:00am-12:00pm
DAILY SCHEDULE (except october 6,9)
9:00am-12:00pm – LARGE GROUPS
9:00am-4:00pm PUBLIC
For Groups of 30 or more, email us your information and desired time between 9:00am-12:00pm. If there are no slots available, we will give you an afternoon schedule.
INDIVIDUAL GUESTS
There is no need for reservation for individuals and groups with less than 30 people
AGE LIMIT
Children under eight years old are not allowed due to safety reasons. Children under twelve need to be chaperoned
LOGISTICS
The Capacity of the Boat is 100 at a time, and guests will be asked to queue in line. Please expect some waiting.
For large groups and walk ins, it is suggested that you arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled time slot. Late comers will be bumped off their slot
Some walking will be required from the registration to the boat, we advise that you are as comfortable as possible.
ACTIVITIES
There will be waiting area where guests can view an exhibit, mural paintings and information on the Galleon Trade. Also, there will be a creative trade fair selling indigenous arts and crafts, and items from around the world.
PARKING
There is no ample parking at the pier, however there will be some at Quirino Grandstand.
FOR RESERVATIONS
E-mail Abi Portillo at diadelgaleon@yahoo.com with your information including: day, time, number of guests, contact information.
The Galeon Andalucia is a replica of the 17th century Galleon. Guest can hop on-board and jump into history!
The Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade was the world's first international trading route that crosses the Pacific Ocean from Manila to Acapulco. And it has been centuries since it started which paved way to many changes in terms of products, traditions, rare items and even genetics have shaped the nations of the Philippine Islands, Mexico and Imperial Spain. And even after all these years, the Galleon Trade has been linked to how Manila rose as a strategic location for trade and commerce. 
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