Ayala Museum in Makati has opened a free exhibition on the Philippines' years after the Second World War. "Through War and Peace: Life After Liberation" runs from 20 October to 29 November 2026 in the museum's 2F Gallery, tracing the country's journey from ruins towards recovery and the birth of the Third Republic. The show is presented by the United States Embassy in the Philippines and the Filipinas Heritage Library.

Curated by the historian Ricardo T. Jose, the exhibition marks 80 years of diplomatic relations between the United States and the Philippines. It also coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Filipinas Heritage Library and the 65th anniversary of the Ayala Foundation. Through archival photographs, documents, periodicals and videos, the display follows the deepening of ties between the two countries during a formative period, weaving political milestones together with everyday experiences of rebuilding.

Visitors encounter the material through tactile stations that bring photographs, documents and footage to life at their own pace, a multi-sensory approach designed to make a complex chapter of history accessible to casual visitors as well as specialists. The exhibition revisits a period of the country's history that is often overlooked, concentrating on the years of reconstruction rather than the war itself.

Admission is free, but advance online registration is required and walk-ins are discouraged because of limited gallery capacity and heavy booking for parallel talks and expert walkthroughs. The gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 7pm. The show adds a historical strand to the museum's current programme, which also includes its long-running exhibition of pre-colonial gold, "Reuniting the Surigao Treasure".