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| Yang Won Bin visits the National Museum in Manila |
MANILA, Philippines - October is Museums and Galleries Month. Because of this, the National Museum of the Philippines opens its doors for FREE to everyone for the whole month of October!
[Update: As of July 1, 2016, admission to the National Museum is permanently FREE of charge.]
What to see inside the museum? Here are SOME of the photos that I took during my last visit at the museum:
National Art Gallery (Museum of Fine Arts)
The Old Legislative Building houses the National Art Galery.
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| The National Museum featured on the old fifty peso bill |
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| The Old Senate Session Hall restored to prewar glory glory |
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| Neoclassical staircase |
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| "Moonlight Scene at San Pascual, Hagonoy, Bulacan" Romulo Galicano, 1970, Oil on lawanit board |
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| "Mother's Revenge" José Rizal,1894, Terra cotta |
Pampanga's Mt. Arayat painted by various artists.
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| "Rice Field", F. Amorsolo (1954) "Labanderas in Mt. Arayat", E. Cruz (1991) "Pampanga River Scenery", C. Buenaventura (1949) "Hikers on Mt. Arayat", E. Cruz (1976) |
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| Spoliarium (1884) - the largest painting in the Philippines |
This famous painting depicts a scene in Roman Empire where gladiators die for the entertainment of the rulers while the crowd cheer on amusement. It was a commentary about the abuse of power during the Spanish rule in the Philippines.
Juan Luna painted the Spoliarium at age 26.
Museum of the Filipino People (Museum of Antropology)
The building just across the Old Legislative Building houses the Museum of the Filipino People where ancestral and archaeological relics are displayed.
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| A fossil of an Ammonite from Jurassic Period |
Pre-colonial Philippines
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| The Manunggul Jar (890-710 B.C.) a burial jar signifies the belief of early Filipinos in life after death |
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| Limestone tablet with Baybayin inscription |
Treasures from a 415 Year Old Shipwreck
More than 400 years ago, a Spanish trading ship turned warship named San Diego sank into the depths of the sea. On 1991, the shipwreck of San Diego was found 178 feet underwater near Batangas, 72 kilometers southeast of Manila.
More than of 34,000 artifacts and treasures were recovered from the shipwreck, including pots and jars, Chinese porcelain, Japanese swords, Portuguese cannons and Mexican coins. Here are some of them:
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| Silver coins used in trading |
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| Blue-and-white Ming Dynasty porcelain bowl |
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| Nautical Astrolabe built at the end of the 16th century |
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| Japanese swords katana found on the shipwreck |
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| Cannon and cannonballs |
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| Big jars where food and other supplies for the journey were stored |
Special Exhibit
A section of Berlin Wall
During the Cold War from 1961 to 1989, Berlin was divided into West Berlin and East Berlin. The West Berlin side of the wall had artwork completely covering the wall, while the East Berlin side was kept blank; as people were not permitted to get close enough to the east side of the wall to paint anything.
This section of Berlin Wall is displayed temporarily inside the Museum of the Filipino People before it will be permanently installed in a dedicated area of Rizal Park.
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| The West side of Berlin Wall |
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| East side of Berlin Wall |
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| Thickness of Berlin Wall |
Visiting Information
If you're planning to visit this museum, allocate three to four hours to fully appreciate the exhibits. Eat or at least have a snack before going in because food is not allowed inside the building. Also, bags should be deposited to the baggage counter upon entry, but you can bring in your camera.
Admission fees:
Adults Php150.00
Students: Php 50.00
Free admission on Sunday.
Free admission on the whole month of October.
Update: Starting July 1, 2016, admission to National Museum is permanently FREE.
