The ICOM (International Council of Museums) declared May 18, 2018 as International Museum Day. In honor of this observance, we want to help you, dear reader, on your search to find the best Metro Manila museums.
The official poster for International Museum Day 2018. From the International Museum Day website.
1. National Museum of Natural History
Admission: Free
The main event of the National Museum’s observance of International Museum Day is the opening of the National Museum of Natural History. The National Museum of Natural History is the first museum in the country dedicated to natural history. Besides its stunning interior architecture, the museum also showcases the Philippines’ unique fauna and flora.
2. National Art Gallery
Admission: Free
Quick: If someone, especially a tourist, asks you to bring them to a museum, where would you bring them? If you answered the National Art Gallery, well, you wouldn’t be wrong. Among the many valuable artistic treasures within this museum, the National Art Gallery is most best-known for housing Juan Luna’s obra maestra, the Spoliarium. But, of course, that’s not all the National Art Gallery has to offer. More of Luna’s most recognizable works, such as The Parisian Life and Portrait of a Lady, call this museum home. The institution’s collection also includes works from Felix Hidalgo, Fernando Amorsolo, Carlos “Botong” Francisco, and more. The museum even has an entire gallery dedicated to our National Hero, Dr. José Rizal.
3. Metropolitan Museum of Manila
Admission: Free
Our very own MET is often compared to the National Art Gallery, but the Metropolitan Museum of Manila has impressive collections that stand on their own. Once upon a time, the MET was an extremely exclusive venue that hosted mostly international art exhibits — but that’s changed. Now, the MET houses an extensive collection of local art, as well as ancient artifacts, plenty of which were donated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
4. Museo Pambata
Admission: Free
As its name would imply, this is a great spot if you’ve got kids with you (it is summer vacation, after all), or if you’re just feeling like a kid inside. Museo Pambata’s tagline, “Where learning begins and fun never ends,” pretty much sums up this particular museum experience. To illustrate concepts like history, culture, and science, Museo Pambata uses interactive displays that maximize the children’s engagement and learning potential.
5. Museo ni Jose Rizal
Admission: Free
Nestled deep within the walls of the haunting Fort Santiago is a small house that now stands as a shrine to our National Hero. If you’re coming from the National Museum, this is a good follow-up spot as the museum also contains original artifacts and memorabilia from Rizal himself. A variety of books, tools, and even his beloved top hat paint a vivid picture of what Rizal was like in life. The shrine also depicts Rizal’s final days, locked up in a tiny holding cell, awaiting execution at Bagumbayan.
6. Museo ng Katipunan
Admission: Free
Speaking of museums that pay tribute to important historical figures, the Museo ng Katipunan in San Juan honors the Katipunan and its prominent figureheads, such as Andres Bonifacio. He, along with the revolutionary organization Katipunan (Kataastaasan, Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng Mga Anak ng Bayan) gave their lives to fight for the freedom of their fellow countrymen. This particular museum tells the story of the organization through the unique artifacts and documents within the collection. Perfect for indulging the history buff within.
7. Marikina Shoe Museum
Admission: Php 50
We’ve done natural history, we’ve done fine art, and we’ve done history — now let’s check out something a little more specific! Of course the so-called “Shoe Capital of the Philippines” has a museum dedicated to — what else — shoes! Shoemaking in Marikina began at the tail-end of the 19th century, and has since become one of the city’s central industries. One of this gem of a museum’s main attractions is the Guinness Book of World Records-recognized Largest Pair of Shoes. Apart from this, you’ll find some of the winners (and competitors) of city-sponsored shoe competitions held over the years. And if these aren’t enough to pique your interest, their collection also boasts items from Former First Lady Imelda Marcos’ terrifyingly large shoe collection.
We wish you all the best on your search to find best place to spend International Museum Day 2018!
What’s your favorite museum in Metro Manila?
