For 17-year-old Pax Pineda, Marcelo H. Del Pilar is more than a name in a history book. He is also his great-great-great-grandfather—a husband, father, and Filipino whose personal life was shaped by the sacrifices he made for his country.

That more intimate side of the propagandist takes center stage in ‘MARCELO: THE MAN BEHIND THE HERO (Reflections on the Legacy of Marcelo H. Del Pilar),’ an exhibition running until October 17, 2026, at the 2F Lobby of Ayala Museum’s Diorama Experience Gallery.

Co-presented by Ayala Museum and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), the exhibition brings together artifacts, letters, artworks, and historical materials examining both Del Pilar’s public contributions and his life away from the familiar textbook narrative.

For Pax, his family connection made the project personal—but he also approached his research and curation with an effort to remain grounded in historical evidence.

“Often, history books shroud our heroes behind a dense wall of specific publications, dates, and political actions,” Pax said.

Known by the pen name Plaridel, Del Pilar was a journalist, lawyer, writer, and one of the leaders of the Propaganda Movement that campaigned for reforms and equal rights for Filipinos during Spanish colonial rule.

But instead of concentrating solely on those achievements, Pax wants young visitors to encounter the person behind them.

“In traditional classrooms, Lolo Marcelo might at times appear as a static figure on a page—someone who did good things for his country but lacked qualities we can relate to,” he explained.

“This exhibition aims to strip away that historical mystery and introduce the actual character of the man. I want visitors to see that, despite his profound, enduring love for his wife and daughters, he was willing to sacrifice his happiness. He sacrificed the comforts of family life for a slim chance at building something beautiful: the very nation we inherit today.”

Among the exhibition’s highlights are Del Pilar’s personal letters, which offer glimpses into his relationship with his daughters, Sofia and Anita, despite the distance separating them.

The materials add a domestic and emotional dimension to a historical figure more commonly discussed through his writings and political activities.

The exhibition also features significant materials connected to works such as “Dasalan at Tocsohan” and “La Solidaridad.” Artifacts on display are on loan from the NHCP and were transported from the Marcelo H. Del Pilar Shrine in Bulakan, Bulacan.

Del Pilar left the Philippines in 1888 amid persecution and continued advocating for reforms in Spain. He eventually took on a major role in “La Solidaridad,” serving as editor and writer and, according to the exhibition organizers, helping finance the publication when resources became scarce.

He died of tuberculosis in Barcelona in 1896.

Pax also finds a personal connection to Del Pilar’s experience of living far from home. Having grown up as a Filipino in Hong Kong, he sees parallels between his ancestor’s separation from his family and the experiences of Filipinos today who live or work abroad.

Ayala Museum curator Tenten Mina similarly noted the relevance of Del Pilar’s story as the country observes the Year of Diplomatic History and Diaspora during History Month 2026.

According to Mina, Del Pilar “endured physical separation from family and loved ones for the sake of the greater good—a sacrifice many Filipinos still make today.”

That connection between history and present-day Filipino experiences is central to Pax’s approach.

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

For Pax, making historical figures relatable does not mean reducing their achievements. Instead, it means showing that the people remembered as heroes also experienced emotions, relationships, hardships, and difficult choices recognizable to later generations.

“I am very grateful to have this opportunity to tell, show, and share my Lolo Marcelo’s story the same week as what would have been his 176th birth anniversary,” he said.

He also pointed to the impact Del Pilar’s choices had on the family he left behind.

“I also want to share the other side felt by his family, and how their lives were marked by profound sacrifice.”

Ayala Museum said the collaboration also reflects its efforts to involve younger Filipinos in telling stories about the country’s heritage.

“Ayala Museum is more than happy to collaborate with young individuals who would want to share these important stories of Filipino heritage with their peers,” said Jorell Legaspi, Senior Director for Arts and Culture at Ayala Foundation.

“Projects such as this illustrate our deeply held belief at the museum that history and culture carry values relevant to each generation and that it is our job to provide a space for these conversations to happen.”

Ayala Museum Associate Director Aprille Tijam said the pocket exhibition could also pave the way for other curatorial projects exploring historical figures and events beyond those featured in the museum’s 60 Dioramas of Philippine history.

Through “MARCELO: THE MAN BEHIND THE HERO,” Pax ultimately hopes his generation can encounter Del Pilar not simply as a propagandist whose name, publications, and accomplishments have to be memorized for school, but as a person whose experiences can still resonate more than a century later.

The exhibition runs until October 17 at Ayala Museum’s Diorama Experience Gallery.