One of my favorite things to do on
weekends is to visit museums. I love the long, romantic walks at the museum. I
have this penchant for history and artifacts. In my point of view, museums are
like portals to the past that gives remarkable insight of our present and fresh
perspective of our future. By way of housing massive collection of artifacts and
rare things of historical interest, museums convey multilayered stories that inspire
us and allow us to see things differently, and eventually help us in gaining
life lessons through what we see, read, and experience.
Ecstatic with the news today, the
National Museum of the Philippines made an announcement on its official social
media account that they are throwing their doors open for all visitors.
Isn’t
that amazing?! No one needs to pay as
admission will be permanently free of charge. With this, allow me share the
snippets of my visit at the museum.
Works of National Artist Guillermo E. Tolentino. He is a Filipino Sculptor in the 1920s to 1970s. Oblation Statue of the University of the Philippines and Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City are his famous sculptures.
An altar piece from the Church of San Nicolas de Tolentino in Dimiao, Bohol, one of the oldest churches in the Philippines. The National Museum features religious arts from the 17th to 19th century.
Sketches drawn by the first National Artist of the Philippines, Fernando C. Amorsolo (1982-1972). Amorsolo is known for oil paintings of rural life.
Cubist painting by Vicent S. Manansala
Paintings by Abstractionist and National Artist Jose T. Joya (1931-1995)
Works of master sculptor Isabelo L. Tampinco
Works of Cesar Amorsolo
Interesting Artworks
Spoliarium by Juan Luna. It is one of the famous paintings in the Philippines. It was made in 1884 as an entry to the prestigious Exposicion de Bellas Artes (Madrid Art Exposition, May 1884) where it won the First Gold Medal.This painting is displayed at the Old House of Representatives Session Hall in National Museum
I just hope that museums in the
Philippines have cafés where you can drink coffee while critically analyzing
the connection between the spoliarium and the selfie you’ve just taken in front
of it.
The National Museum is open Tuesdays to Sundays, from 10:00 AM to 5:00
PM. Admission is free. It is located in Padre Burgos Avenue, Rizal Park,
Ermita, Manila. Enjoy!
