Introduction: To Honor and To Mourn 

Progress is never linear. It is a journey shaped by both triumphs and failures, by actions taken and opportunities lost. For every moment of brilliance that propels humanity forward, there are missed opportunities that cast shadows over what could have been. VelardePrize.com – TRANSFORMATION: To Honor and To Mourn: Mapping Pivotal Moments Across Centuries and Generations invites readers to explore this delicate balance, where progress demands both celebration and reflection. 

The 1734 Murillo Velarde Map is far more than a cartographic artifact. It is a living testament to the Austronesian Filipino spirit—a profound symbol of resilience, unity, and cultural identity. This book reclaims the map not merely as a document of history but as a guide for transformation, weaving the ancient wisdom of our ancestors with modern methodologies and universal truths to illuminate a path forward. 

This journey begins with a simple yet profound question: how can a map that once served as a tool of colonization become a moral compass for liberation and unity? Through this lens, the map becomes a mirror reflecting the stories of the Austronesian Filipino—our struggles, triumphs, and enduring identity.