Contact between China and the Philippines goes back several centuries (or millennia, according to some historians). By the 16th century, spurred by the flourishing Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade, tens of thousands of Chinese immigrants had settled in Manila. This museum renders recognition to Chinese contributions to Philippine social, political and cultural life through mixed-media displays. Present-day Chinese-Filipinos call themselves Tsinoys, hence the name of the museum.