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National Museum of the Philippines

Observe silence.The best way to appreciate art and cultural and historical items is to do so in silence or minimal noise. When you make noise, talk over the phone, or murmur with your friends, not only are you disrupting the reflective solitude in the place but are you also messing up the experience of other people in the museum.Keep your distance.Artworks and artifacts are delicate objects. When you crowd into a piece of art, you are putting it at risk, not to mention blocking it out of view of other people who also want to experience it.it The National Museum of the Philippines just opened its door once again for everyone with its new, breathtaking building of National Museum of Natural History.. It is located at the vicinity of Rizal Park, very accessible for everyone who wish to see and appreciate Philippines’ arts and culture. 

Last May 26, 2018, we went to the National Museum for our finals in our subject Tourism Marketing. Our 3rd year schoolmates with the subject, Tour Guiding are also with us because they will act as our tour guide during our entire trip in the museum.

We first visited the newly opened National Museum of Natural History. A lot of people are waiting outside just to visit the museum. This new building have a very beautiful and stunning architecture. The minimal theme of the museum gave a relaxing ambiance.

Tour Guide:

My tour guide is Ms. Jasmine Santiago from St. Dominic College of Asia, She was one of the approachable tour guide assigned to me, sharing all the knowledge and trivias she had. I was kind of amused because it that I felt that we get along with each other easily which is the most important characteristic of a tour guide. No photographer well I’m lucky to have not just a charming tour guide but a photographer. So bye bye boring pictures and say hello to my instagrammable photos. I must say that my tour guide did a job well done. :)

Museum Insights:

If you’re a big fan of Philippine history or Filipino arts (like me) or you just simply wanna travel and you’re looking for a place that is very accessible, instagrammable and cheap at the same time (like me again) then the National Museum of the Philippines might be a good idea to visit !

I was quite amazed with its improvement aside from the fact that the most parts of the museum are now air conditioned, the access to different floors are now made easier because of the elevator! Yes, you don’t have to tirelessly climb the stairs so you could go to your next destination. Though most of the floors are still not available and under renovation especially the upper floors of the building. The rest rooms are also very impressive! It’s very clean (probably because it haven’t been used that much), it smells good and there’s water and soap with a great mirrors and very well designed, So how would you not love that ?! 

A lot of existing things in the Philippines are to found here such as Flora and fauna and a replicas of Animals can be seen here and not to brag about it but this museum also has an updated technologies. Isn’t amazing ? well for me it’s a splendid YES. So what are we waiting for ? Let’s all visit the pride of the Philippines which is perfect for everybody with the cheapest expense with awesome experience !

Cinema Feels, Awesome !

360 degree view of the Museum, Very well great looking and design.

A Tree of Life.

This is Lolong, the largest saltwater crocodile in captivity. 

The museum also features a replica of Rafflesia, the world’s largest flower. It is known to be a pungent-smelling flower.

The next museum that we have visited is the National Museum of Anthropology. This  museum houses the Philippines’ greatest customs and traditions as well as the people behind it. 

Museum Insights:

I visited the National Museum of Natural Anthropology in Manila for the second time. I take guts to visit this a second time around (unfortunately I had a lack of time to feel it in my the first visit) and I was eager to immerse myself in culture, local textiles, and traditions.

I am partial to local textiles, so it was a delight to see different kinds of woven masterpieces from various regions.

I am a firm believer of experiential learning. Museums make me learn more than books or documentaries because I get to appreciate artifacts and artworks in the flesh. ( well to see is to believe ! )

As always, I took photos to document my visit. I hope that they will inspire you to also visit this beautiful museum soon. Admission is free, so bring the whole family- or go there by yourself, just like I did ( visit with the whole class) ! It’s therapeutic.

I hope you will appreciate local cultures and traditions too this 2018!

Tour Guide:

My tour guide is in this Museum was Ms. Rose (Pardon me for not having a picture of her, sad reacts.) Going back, those time is seems like listening stories of old history from a person of old century because upon observing to her I can say that she did exert efforts on knowing highlights of the things found inside the museum and share it in the most easiest way a tour guide can do. They’re a big help for the persons like me who do not put so much effort on reading stories behind the images, structures, designs and crafts.

Giving her two thumbs up ! :)

My very first time to saw a big bilao and such a cute baskets. Just like what I said great photos with great experience. Me inside a basket ! kidding. :D

Photo taken by my Tour Guide ROSE. :)

This gallery houses the beautiful “Banig” proudly made by the Filipino people. These banig vary in sizes from small to the biggest one and in color from plain to the one with a lot details and design.

bringing myself back in a century. Reminiscing the stories of the history way back elementary and can’t believe I could really see it with my own eyes personally.

MUSEUM ETIQUETTE: 

The primary purpose of museums is to preserve art and cultural and historical artifacts. The doors of museums have only been opened to give these items the honor and respect they deserve, as well as encouraging people to appreciate art, find inspiration, and learn. That said, entering a museum is nothing like entering a shopping mall or a fashion store where you can thoughtlessly wander around without being conscious of how you affect your surroundings.

Observe Silence.

The best way to appreciate art and cultural and historical items is to do so in silence or minimal noise. When you make noise, talk over the phone, or murmur with your friends, not only are you disrupting the reflective solitude in the place but are you also messing up the experience of other people in the museum.

If you have to take a call, step out.

When you take a call inside the museum, it upsets the atmosphere of the place and is distracting to other people. If it is urgent, excuse yourself and go outside before answering the call. Otherwise, switch your phone to silent mode and text instead.

Take enough photos with enough courtesy.

This is more of ensuring you get the best experience in the museum or art exhibit. If you need to take photos, take only enough and, despite any strong urge, avoid taking selfies. Inside the museum, the artworks are the most precious thing. Using them as mere backgrounds for your selfies is like underestimating their value.

No touching!

Even though the artwork or artifact is displayed in the open, that doesn’t mean that you can touch it. Just like keeping your distance, keeping your hands off the items keeps them away from harm.

Don’t bring food and drinks around.

The museum is not a cinema where you need some popcorn and cola to enjoy the spectacle. Even if you’re careful, food and drinks might contaminate the artworks.

MUST HAVE:

Umbrella

Towel

Extra T shirt

Camera or cellphone

Power Bank and Mono-pod. 

Bag ( short bond paper size, so you don’t have to surrender it in the baggage counter) 

OPENS AT 10AM TO 4PM (MONDAYS TO SATURDAY)

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Manila’s Must See: National Museum of the Philippines

If you wish to see Philippines’ collection of greatest treasure from the prehistoric period to the modern one, then the National Museum of the Philippines is a perfect place for you to visit.

The National Museum is a complex consists of National Museum of Fine Arts, National Museum of Anthropology, National Museum of Natural History, and National Planetarium, all located in the vicinity of Rizal Park in Manila.

Recently, the National Museum of Natural History has made its way to both the Filipino people and foreigners as it was just opened last May 18, 2018 to commemorate the International Museum Day. This new edifice features a minimal yet stunning and sophisticated facade and interior.

It was May 26, 2018 when our professor brought us to this museum for our finals. Since it was newly opened, a lot of people are waiting in line just to get inside. And when I say a lot, it is indeed a LOT, because the line are extended outside of the museum under the scorching heat of the sun.

We registered ourselves and surrendered our bags at the baggage counter. Upon entering, the stunning interior left me in awe. We came to our professor who’s been waiting with us and he assigned one tour guide (which is also his students in Tour Guiding) to each one of us to accompany us in wandering around the museum.

My tour guide happen to be Ms. Stacy Ann Sarmiento. She warmly approached me making the atmosphere between us a little less awkward. We started our tour and though she doesn’t know that much about what’s inside the museum, she still tried her best for me to enjoy every moment in the museum.

We went up to the what they called the “Tree of Life” which is located in the middle of the museum. I was curious what does this huge structure stand for. I am surprised when my tour guide told me that this structure is placed right in the middle of the museum to serve as a solar panel to distribute electricity all throughout the museum. Well that is a total innovation! Sustainability and architecture combined!

I am surprised that the museum is really on the high-end (if you’re going to ask me from my perspective). The museum is well ventilated and with a very good lighting. Each part of the museum offers interactive arts and displays for the guest to not just look and take pictures of the arts and displays, but to also get their hands into them.

I enjoyed being around the museum and my tour guide made it even more fun. Ms. Stacy Ann Sarmiento is very warm and friendly in her approach and I think that what makes her strong point as a tour guide. She readily accompany me with all my questions and concerns. For her weak point, I think it would be her minimum knowledge about the museum, though I understand that not everyone has the heart for such arts. It would be better if she would do a little research about the museum next time. For my general rating, I would give her GOOD, because I do believe her personality perfectly suits in being a tour guide.

After visiting the National Museum of Natural History, we have took our lunch at a nearby fast food restaurant. While walking outside, I have observed that a part of the museum is still under construction. It made me think that this museum is going to offer more that what it already have. There are a lot of vendors selling assorted good and stuffs around the museum which really completes the “Manila” vibe.

We then visited the National Museum of Anthropology. This museum houses the amazing people of the Philippines which includes their culture and greatest contributions in the Philippines’ history. My tour guide for this museum is Ms. Camille Aisha Mansur.

We started our tour in the “Lantaka of War and Peace” wherein “Lantaka” means “Kanyon” in Tagalog. It features the canyon weapons Filipino used to protect themselves from war back then.

                                        (That’s my tour guide Camille)

Our next stop is the “Kaban ng Lahi Archaeological Treasures”. This part of the museum sent me creeps and chills because a lot of jar sculpted into heads are displayed around.

According to my tour guide, this creepy jars are called “Manggul” Jars which used to be our ancestors coffin. They place the body of the deceased inside the jar. In the lid of the jar, they have sculpted the deceased’s face to mark who owns the body kept inside the jar.

Our next stop is the “Manlilikha ng Bayan” which is a gallery of age-old customs, traditions, crafts and way of living of the Filipino people.

The National Museum of Anthropology made me feel like I was on my elementary days attending my most-awaited field trip. Every gallery is filled more than just the arts and displays, but it also have informative signs which makes us guests appreciate the displays more rather than just looking into it.

As for my tour guide, Ms. Camille Aisha Mansur, I will also give her GOOD. Her strong point is that she really try her best to talk with me all the time to assure that I am not bored. Also, she is trying to explain most of the things inside the museum. For her weak point, she also needs to have a little research about the museum. But all in all, I have enjoyed her company all throughout.

As a Tourism Management student, I realized that a destination is more than just white sand beaches, towering waterfalls, and adventurous mountains. A destination can also be a museum! Big thanks to my professor who have brought our class to this museum.

Museums should be given equal attention and importance like we give to our natural destinations. It may not give us fresh air, big waves, or adventurous trails but museum can give us a glimpse of the past through its arts. We can learn from it as much as we learn from our books. It gives people who made this arts the respect and appreciation they deserve.

Either a Tourism Management student, a tourist, or simply a Filipino citizen, it is very crucial for everyone of us to consider museums as a great part of the Philippines. Find some time and effort to visit because the National Museum of the Philippines is excited to see you!

Here are some tips you might want to take:

1. The museum opens at 10 AM. Be there as early as you can so you wont have to wait in a very line to get inside.

2. Avoid bringing large bags or any other belongings as you will need to surrender this to the baggage counter. (They only allow small bags inside + you won’t like wandering around the museum with large bags).

3. The museum will admit guest until 4:30 PM only and will strictly close by 5 PM. Do plan your visit carefully so you will be able to enjoy the museum.

4. PLEASE DON”T JUST TAKE PICTURES. Museum is a place to give appreciation and respect in arts and culture and for the sole purpose of being a backdrop for your picture taking. When a sign says “Please don’t touch”, just please don’t. Give respect for the arts as if the artist is standing right behind it.