THE Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History’s plan to return the Filipino remains that have been in its collection for years was welcomed by the National Museum of the Philippines.
According to a Washington Post investigative report published on August 14, the Smithsonian “still holds the brains of people from at least 10 foreign countries, including the Philippines, Germany, the Czech Republic and South.”
The Post said the “racial brain collection” contained four brains from the Filipinos who participated in the Philippine Exposition at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis.
“Smithsonian officials told The Post that, in addition to the four brains from the fair, the museum had collected the brains of 23 other Filipinos,” the report stated.
The Smithsonian has since said that it has held discussions with the Philippine embassy and the National Museum of the Philippines to pave the way for the return of the remains of the Filipinos.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the discussion between the Smithsonian and the Philippine Embassy in Washington.
The National Museum of the Philippines said it supports the Smithsonian’s efforts to return the remains.
“In adherence with today’s standards of ethical museum practice, the NMP accepts and supports this effort of the Smithsonian NMNH to do the right thing and facilitate the return of Filipino remains home as a way of rectifying this unfortunate situation,” it said in a statement.
With reports from Louise Daniela Cabawatan
