A Day At The National Museum Of The Philippines
The National Museum of The Philippines is now inviting everyone to explore their galleries that will showcase our rich history and culture this month of May in celebration of the National Heritage Month and what really makes it more exciting is that the admission is FREE. Visiting the National Museum has always been on my bucket list so I finally have a good reason to visit the place not just because it’s free but also because of their special activities including the special retrospective exhibition of BenCaB’S masterpiece dubbed as the Appropriated Souls which will only last until May 29.
Me in front of the National Museum! You can clearly see the long queue of people behind me. National Museum is a government institution in the Philippines and serves as an educational, scientific and cultural institution in preserving the various permanent national collections featuring the ethnographic, anthropological, archaeological and visual artistry of the Philippines.
The facade of the National Museum adorned with stylized Corinthian columns. The building itself is already a masterpiece. Interestingly, The building was originally designed as the public library by Ralph Harrington Doane, the American consulting architect of the Bureau of Public Works, and his assistant Antonio Toledo. Construction began in 1918 but was suspended several times because of lack of funds. When it was decided that the building should be used by the Legislature, the revisions of the plans was entrusted to Juan Arellano, then supervising architect of the Bureau. The building was inaugurated on 16 July 1926, and by then had cost four million pesos. Upon its completion, the second, third, and fourth floors were occupied by the Senate and House of Representatives while the ground floor was occupied by the National Library. In mid-1996, the Senate of the Philippines moved out of the building. In 2003, renovation started to transform it into the National Art Gallery of the National Museum.
The NM doorknobs. NM obviously stands for National Museum.
The Spoliarium – The first masterpiece that will welcome you is the huge and famous art made by Juan Luna Y Novicio, The Spoliarium. It is arguably the most internationally renowned piece of modern Filipino art. It was so huge that it measures four meters in height and seven meters in width. The painting basically depicts the bodies of dead gladiators being dragged from a Roman arena.
Me in front of the famous and historical painting! 
Opposite to the Spoliarium is another huge painting by Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, the El Asesinato del Gobernador Bustamante (The Assassination of Governor Bustamante) which is also known as The Church Against the State. 
This stunning concrete sculpture dubbed as Diwata will also welcome you as you enter The Old House of Representatives Session Hall. This 3 meter high sculpture of a winged lady is created by Guillermo Tolentino.
Diwata looks very beautiful. I did not know mueseums could be so interesting. I don’t like visiting meuseums much but that’s the best place to gather some knowledge while looking at gorgeous things. I think I need to start visiting museums more.
I’m not a history buff but I do appreciate things like this. This is one of the things I miss in recent trip to Manila. Thank you for giving us a meaty information and a visually appetizing tour of the National museum mate. Keep more post comin’ !
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One of the gems in Manila. Let’s all patronise this and keep its value! No reason not to go as it always give free admission or even so, the fee is certainly worth it.
I usually never visit Museum but your post and pics makes me think otherwise. I always thought they might be little boring place but I guess your post made me change my mind !!!
spolarivm. Truly one of the country’s treasures. I hope schools would choose this museum for their educational field trip in order for students to learn the values our national artists would like to impart.
I love Museums. There is something so amazing about learning history. The art takes you to a place where you can imagine being there.
I am not also into museums but seeing this post proves how rich our history is. I love the artworks though. Let us indeed patronize museums like this!
So envious of your photos! Great shots. I remembered the time when we went there, just simply amazing!
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This museum seems really interesting. I love learning more about history. And since I have been reading more Filipino blogs because of the Facebook group, I am curious to learn more about the history of the Philippines. I hope I get to visit the country soon!
Whoah! I didn’t know that the museum collects and preserves these kinds of stuff here. And if the museum is just one ride away from home, I won’t be hesitant of visiting it for the entire month of May! Being able to avail free admission, this time, is rare most especially if it happens in precious places like this. Thanks for making a post about this movement done by the national museum. People should be aware of this offer at least they will be able to bring along with them their family, friends, and even colleagues.
A truly fascinating and enjoyable ways to discover this place with so much to offer within your knowledge. It’s the way of exploring something beautiful inside of you. Your way of appreciating things like this post is truly amazing.
I haven’t seen the National Museum yet and I think I should really schedule a visit soon as there are a lot of historical pieces here.
I can’t remember when was the last time I’ve been there but surely it was long time ago, I wish to revisit and see this fascinating artworks
yeah, same here…I have not seen this museum yet..maybe I should schedule to see this place at least once 🙂
i’ve been longing to go here (again). the last time i think is when i was in gradeschool. i really have to find time. your photos look better now, btw. 🙂
Wow, never knew we have something like this. I should really visit one soon, I have been visiting museums of other countries, except mine. 🙁
Unfortunately, I have never been to the National Museum yet but I would love to visit sometime. What I would want to see would be the Spoliarium. This one has been intriguing me ever since and the interest even heightened after the Juan Luna movie. Definitely included in my travel bucket list.
I’m fond of visiting museums, too. And National Museum is indeed one of the beautiful museums I’ve been to! I really love their painting galleries being a frustrated painter myself. Seeing Spoliarium made me speechless!
I recently visited National Museum with my friends. It was my first time. I was not really into visiting museums, but it turned out to be the contrary. It had piqued my interests in artworks. 🙂
I’ve never been here yet! I’d love to take my son with me here! It looks nice!
Ohh, so NM os offering free admission again, cool! Check also the other building bro, madami pa inspiring artefacts there there.
Beautiful photographs!! and a nice detailed post!! I am a historic buff and love to visit museums too! 🙂
Awwwee, I miss going there whenever I have free time in school. It’s just across PNU, haha. That’s why my friends and I go and enjoy the arts made by Filipino artists.
I’ve never been in National Museum. The Spolarium painting is amazing. I wanna see it live too. Maybe when I see that painting, I will be a bit emotional because that reflects how Heneral Luna died in the arms of soldiers.
I can’t get tired of the Spoliarium, as well as Luna’s and Hidalgo’s works. I think it’s good theres a rekindling of interest in art of our national artists, which I think is partly sparked by last year’s movie, Heneral Luna. That being said, even if the National Museum is beautiful I think the government still can do better in maintaining and occupying the museum–I think it’s still pretty sparse for its capacity.
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