With the scorching heat of the sun and the strong drive to be somewhere comfortable and nice, it’s obviously the summer of 2019.
While most people are into beaches, out of towns, and other summer stuff, I found the desire to be somewhere peaceful, artsy, and quiet. That’s why, on a late Saturday morning, I’ve asked my friend to have our Saturday as worthwhile as possible. So we headed on to the great National Museum.
At 11:00 in the morning, my friend and I decided to meet at Avenida in Recto and from there, we rode a jeepney going to UN Avenue. We alighted at the Finance Road and took a short walk towards its Fine Arts branch.
National Museum of Fine Arts
Situated in the busy intersection of Manila, National Museum of Fine Arts is truly a grand and beautiful building designed with magnificent work of arts, paintings, and alike.
The museum is famous for its centerpiece Juan Luna’s “Spoliarium,” a massive oil-on-canvas painting, which measures 13.8 feet high by 25.1 feet wide. The painting signifies Spanish colonization.
One can also find here set of galleries curated and structured per eras and themes.
Meanwhile, the second floor (pink gallery) exhibits works of the two of the country’s most celebrated artists of the 19th century—Juan Luna and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo.
Aside from these, it also showcases masterpiece of the country’s first National Artist, Fernando Amorsolo and other remarkable sculptures.
Other remarkable arts, meanwhile, are exhibited on its third floor.
On this floor also, houses the Old Senate Session Hall.
Though I’ve already visited this particular branch, two years ago, I still found it amusing especially because there are new collections to see and appreciate.
We spent over two hours strolling this huge building captivated by arts after arts. It was totally riveting.
National Museum of Natural History
Our fascination continued as we opted not to take our lunch and rather chose to head on to our next stop: The National Museum of Natural History.
Officially opened last May 2018, the new part of the NM complex is located in Agrifina Circle of Rizal Park just beside National Museum of Anthropology. The building was formerly occupied by the Department of Tourism.
Designed with six floors, we were amused by the atrium’s centerpiece, the “Tree of Life,” upon entrance. This double-helix steel structure with a canopy-inspired ceiling, which also serves as elevator, was conceptualized by Dominic Galicia.
Though after reading suggestions from different websites that it’s best to start the tour to this museum from the top floor to the bottom, still, we do our own way and resorted to start downwards to upwards using only the ramps, and it’s still fun either way.
On the second floor, we were welcomed by the skeletons of Lolong, the country’s largest crocodile in captivity, hanging from the museum’s ceiling.
Other notable attractions from Our Natural Inheritance and Temporary Exhibitions can be seen here.
Displayed also here are taxidermied specimens of different creatures.
I was also charmed by the earth’s biosphere displayed in the center of one of its galleries.
Meanwhile, wandering to its third floor, we were greeted by scenic galleries of Mangroves, Beaches, and Intertidal Zones.
It was also good to know that this museum hosts fun activities and interactive learnings for visitors to engage on.
The said floor also showcases the Marine Realm, which I think, was the most visited gallery among kids.
Mossy, Montane, and Pine Forest are some of the must-see attractions to welcome us on the museum’s fourth floor.
It also features Lowland Evergreen Rainforests; Ultramafic and Limestone Karst Forests, and Freshwater Wetlands.
Going to its fifth floor, we explored through galleries of Philippine Biodiversity, The Geology of the Philippines, Minerals and Energy Resources, and Life through Time.
Last but not the least was the sixth floor of the building which houses underwater photos and videos of the Philippine Rise Marine Natural Reserve and the Benham Bank. Unfortunately, because we were running out of time and we need to proceed to our next destination, we were not able to visit it.
Still, I was stunned by how enormous and grandeur National Museum of Natural History is. It is truly a sight to enjoy and learn from. Two hours of rambling walk here was really worth it.
National Planetarium
At past 3:00 in the afternoon, we found our way to our next stop, which is the National Planetarium.
Nestled in Rizal Park between Japanese Garden and Chinese Garden, we spent almost a 15 to 20-minute walk here from NM of Natural History, as we need to go to the main entrance because unfortunately the back entrance was already closed.
National Planetarium features a full-dome special projector, which is first in Asia. They have three shows running here which consists of “A Planet for Goldilocks,” “Journey to a Billion Suns” and “Hayabusa: Back to the Earth.” Entrance to the museum is free but if you opt to watch planetarium shows, rates are at P50 for regular viewers, P40 for senior citizens and people with disabilities, and P30 for students with a valid ID. Each show runs for 30 minutes and schedule of shows are available in the museum’s website.
So upon arrival, we decided to watch a planetarium show entitled “A Journey to a Billion Suns,” which was scheduled by 4:00 p.m. Before entrance to the dome, we were prohibited to bring bags, cellphones, and cameras. We were only allowed to have our wallets inside.
Honestly speaking, during whole duration of the show, I was in awe because I really love stars and the outer space. It might sound absurd, but watching the show in that grand projector felt like I was really part of the universe. And I think, not having any cameras inside is a good thing because you’ve got to fully appreciate the show.
The show ended past 4:30 p.m. and I’ve requested my friend to allow me a quick stroll inside the viewing section of the museum (because we have not taken our lunch yet at that time).
Among all the branches of National Museum, actually, the Planetarium is really my top priority to pay a visit.
But because we’re running out of time and our tummies are crying for some nourishment, I decided to just take a glimpse of what’s in store inside the gallery.
Though only for a short while, I was still mesmerized by the wonders of our Ethno astronomy, and the marvels of our planets and stars displayed inside the gallery. I was struck by the connection this particular place has made me feel. I love this place and this one demands a return visit.
For almost six hours of marveling National Museum’s Annexes, I’ve got to apprize our country’s rich culture, history, and environment which signify our treasured heritage. Immersing through arts, installations and artifacts of notable artists feels like digging deeper to how these pieces became a significant part of our life — that revisiting the past helps us understand the present, and appreciating the present lets us anticipate the future.
National Museum is open Tuesday-Sunday; 10:00 a.m.to 5:00 p.m. Entrance fee is free except for planetarium shows. For more information, please feel free to visit their website. ###
Scattered Piece 