Image Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7891237@N08/460023506/The first time I set foot in the National Museum (NM) was during a high school field trip a decade ago. I didn't have enough memories to make an insightful story out of that visit simply because I did not care much as to what I would be seeing back then. If truth be told, I only joined the field trip to see Manila once again as it had never been a regular routine for a probinsyana like me to go to the big city. Apparently, there was not much to see in the museum. Or was it just me? My first visit to NM was forgettable, to say the least.
Fast forward to 2008, the National Museum has undergone an amazing makeover which I am sure any Filipino who would brave to go there will feel proud (or prouder) of his rich cultural heritage. The wonderful transformation was painstakingly made possible by its administration with some help from government agencies and private institutions.
The date was June 21st. Adel and I had been scheduled by our generous boss at LCDTM to a three-hour tour of the National Museum with Mr. John Silva, the museum head no less. We were joined by Edwin who first introduced the idea of visiting the place to me. But that's another story.
We got to the museum a little late so an attendant had to guide us to where Mr. Silva's group was. We found them on the third floor of the first building (there are two buildings to see: the Finance Building a.k.a. the Museum of the Filipino People and the original NM Building a.k.a. the National Gallery of Art; you have to go out and cross the street to get from one building to another).
tour proper
Mr. Silva, the museum head cum tour guide, was smart and inspiring. I could feel his passion and from what I saw, I think he's enjoying what he does. (I heard he is an arts and heritage conservation advocate.) He went on with his tour like a professor giving lecture to students, hoping that at the end of the tour, the "students" will learn something and help spread the word about the museum's cause. Randomly, he would tell a story infused with his unique kind of humor. He would also share his personal insights about Philippine culture and the Filipino people every now and then. But if you will try to listen carefully, you will realize he's conveying a message: that it is crucial to make the museum accessible to Filipinos especially to Filipino children (parents should be reminded!) so they may gain substantial knowledge about Philippine culture and get a glimpse of their country's past, present and future. He believes that children who know how to appreciate arts and culture grow up to become good citizens. I can't agree more.
From Finance Building where we saw a vast collection of artifacts, memorabilia, literary materials and other museum stuff, we headed over to the orginal NM Building. There we were greeted with a wide selection of paintings, sculptures and other forms of visual arts. Mr. Silva also gave a lecture about the Spoliarium, the famous painting of the equally famous Filipino national artist Juan Luna. Who would've thought (of course, historians excluded) that a painting can spark a revolution? It surely can. Just like what Luna's Spoliarium did. Rizal's idea of a revolution (against Spain) started from it. How did this happen? Visit the National Museum and get all the juicy details.
the painting that started it all
My second visit to the National Museum is enlightening and fun at the same time. Surely, it made me feel prouder of my race. It also made me realize a lot of things. Things that concern me as a person, as a Filipino and as a citizen of the world.
indigenous pots and jars behind me
with Mr. John Silva
A visit to the National Museum is a must. If you're a Filipino like me, it's one great way of revisiting your past, appreciating our culture even more and find a piece of yourself among the artifacts, the literary materials or the paintings. If you're not Filipino, it's one great way of knowing our rich culture as well as our diversity and identity as a people.
the classic, spiral staircase at the original NM Building
For more information on the up and coming NM tours, click here or visit the NM website.
The National Museum
P. Burgos St. , Manila
Philippines
527-1215 DL
527-0306 FL
nmuseum@i-next.net
We got to the museum a little late so an attendant had to guide us to where Mr. Silva's group was. We found them on the third floor of the first building (there are two buildings to see: the Finance Building a.k.a. the Museum of the Filipino People and the original NM Building a.k.a. the National Gallery of Art; you have to go out and cross the street to get from one building to another).
tour proper
From Finance Building where we saw a vast collection of artifacts, memorabilia, literary materials and other museum stuff, we headed over to the orginal NM Building. There we were greeted with a wide selection of paintings, sculptures and other forms of visual arts. Mr. Silva also gave a lecture about the Spoliarium, the famous painting of the equally famous Filipino national artist Juan Luna. Who would've thought (of course, historians excluded) that a painting can spark a revolution? It surely can. Just like what Luna's Spoliarium did. Rizal's idea of a revolution (against Spain) started from it. How did this happen? Visit the National Museum and get all the juicy details.
the painting that started it all
indigenous pots and jars behind me
with Mr. John Silva
the classic, spiral staircase at the original NM BuildingThe National Museum
P. Burgos St. , Manila
Philippines
527-1215 DL
527-0306 FL
nmuseum@i-next.net
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on 25 June 2008
at Wednesday, June 25, 2008
and is filed under
Life,
Manila Attractions,
Philippine Museums,
Tours
.
