Pax Pineda Uncovers the Man Beyond the History Books

In Pax Pineda’s curation of Marcelo H. Del Pilar’s life and works, people get to see a glimpse of the man behind the hero in the textbooks.

Words Jin Hernandez
Photo courtesy of NYOU
October 7, 2026

Pax Pineda, a direct descendant of Marcelo H. Del Pilar, debuts his first exhibit, “MARCELO: THE MAN BEHIND THE HERO,” that aims to show the prominent life behind his invaluable contributions to society through personal mementos such as his letters to his daughters while overseas.

In the exhibit, Del Pilar is viewed more as an ordinary human beyond being a historical figure known for his notable works such as Dasalan at Tocsohan and La Solidaridad, that Filipinos have learned about in classrooms across generations.

“He sacrificed the comforts of family life for a slim chance at building something beautiful: the very nation we inherit today,” Pineda shared, adding that the main purpose of the exhibit is to show the side of Del Pilar that makes him a relatable figure beyond his heroism.

Pineda, who grew up overseas, also puts Del Pilar’s sacrifices into a much contemporary context through the parallels between his life and Filipinos who work abroad, aiming to provide a better life for the people they left home.

He also appeals to his fellow youth to see history in a more humanized way rather than pure memorization, implying that people will relate to Del Pilar despite not having the historical figure’s body of work.

“Young people might not relate to editing a reformist newspaper, but they absolutely understand love, homesickness, and standing up for what is right.”

MARCELO: THE MAN BEHIND THE HERO (Reflections on the Legacy of Marcelo H. Del Pilar) runs from September 4 to October 18, 2026 at the 2F Lobby of Ayala Museum’s Diorama Experience Gallery.