Museums and Galleries in the Philippines

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Category: What To Do

Published on Monday, 23 January 2012 13:40

The Philippines is home to a number of museums and art galleries. Most are located in the National Capital Region but it is not uncommon for towns and provinces in the country to have museums and art galleries that are better repositories of indigenous peoples’ artifacts. Museums in the Visayas and Mindanao have a good collection of colonial and pre-Hispanic artifacts.

National Museum of the Philippines: The National Museum is a repository of the country’s cultural heritage. The Museum of the Filipino People traces the country’s history from pre-colonization to the present and the National Art Gallery showcases some of the best paintings of foremost Filipino painters. Take a virtual tour of the National Museum through this link. The National Museum also has thirteen branches scattered across the country in Angono, Bolinao, Butuan, Cebu, Fort Pilar, Jolo, Kabayan, Kiangan, Magsingal, Marinduque, Palawan, Tabaco and Vigan.

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Region I (Ilocos Region)

Crisologo Museum (Ilocos Sur): The museum, the ancestral house of former Congressman Floro Crisologo, is a tribute to his legacy. Address: Vigan, Ilocos Sur

Marcos Museum and Mausoleum (Ilocos Norte): The museum houses the memorabilia of President Ferdinand Marcos. Address: Batac, Ilocos Norte

Padre Jose Burgos National Museum (Ilocos Sur): The ancestral house of Fr. Jose Burgos, one of the martyred priests of the Cavite mutiny houses the Basi paintings, reputed to be the one of the first oil paintings of western style in Asia.

Museo Ilocos Norte (Ilocos Norte): The Tabacalera Building, converted into a museum, is the repository of Ilocano cultural heritage.

Syquia Mansion (Ilocos Norte): The ancestral house of Alicia Syquia, wife of President Elpidio Quirino houses the memorabilia of the President. The mansion is a showcase of the life of the affluent during the colonial period. Address: Vigan, Ilocos Sur

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Region II (Cagayan Valley)

Balay na Santiago (Isabela): The museum is a repository of the cultural heritage of Isabela. Address: Santiago, Isabela

Fundacion Pacita Abad (Batanes): The studio preserves the legacy of internationally-acclaimed artist Pacita Abad.

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Region III (Central Luzon)

Aquino Center and Ninoy Aquino Museum (Tarlac): The museum preserves the legacies of democracy icons Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. and President Corazon Aquino. Address: Luisita, Tarlac

Bataan Military Museum (Bataan): The museum is a tribute to the heroes of the Bataan Death March.

Kamikaze Museum (Pampanga): The museum showcases World War II artifacts, particularly those of Kamikaze pilots.

Maria Clara Museum (Tarlac): The museum displays the mementos of Leonor Rivera, the inspiration behind Maria Clara, one of the characters in the Jose Rizal novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. Address: Camiling, Tarlac

Museo Ning Betis (Pampanga): The small museum showcases Betis’ ecclesiastical artifacts and paintings.

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Region IV-A  (CALABARZON)

Mabini Shrine (Batangas): The shrine houses the memorabilia of revolutionary hero, Apolinario Mabini. Address: Tanauan, Batangas

UPLB Museum of Natural History (Laguna): The university museum has a collection of 300,000 Philippine flora and fauna specimens.

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Region IV-B (MIMAROPA)

Mangyan Heritage Center (Oriental Mindoro): The heritage center preserves the cultural heritage of the Mangyan.

Marinduque Museum (Marinduque): The Marinduque branch of the National Museum displays pre-Hispanic agricultural implements and 10^th century ceramics.

Palawan Heritage Center (Palawan): The heritage center is a repository of the rich heritage of the indigenous peoples of Palawan.

Palawan Museum (Puerto Princesa City): The Palawan regional branch of the National Museum preserves the Neolithic habitation site of pre-Hispanic Philippines.

Ugat-Faigo Museum and Library (Romblon): The museum has a collection of artifacts from the excavation of the Guyangan caves. Address: Banton Island, Romblon

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Region V (Bicol Region)

Colegio de Sta. Isabel Museum (Camarines Sur): The museum of the first normal school for girls in the Far East houses. Address: Naga City, Camarines Sur

Museo del Deminario Conciliar de Nueva Caceres (Camarines Sur): The museum showcases pre-Hispanic artifacts of the Bicol region. Address: Naga City, Camarines Sur

Peñafrancia Museum (Camarines Sur): The museum exhibits ecclesiastical vestiges related to the devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia, the region’s patroness.

University of Nueva Caceres Museum (Camarines Sur): Reputed to be one of the oldest museums outside of Manila, it showcases the pre-Hispanic heritage of the Bicol region. Address: University of Nueva Caceres, Naga City, Camarines Sur

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Region VI (Western Visayas)

Balay Negrense (Negros Occidental): The ancestral house of Victor Gaston is one of the best colonial structures in Negros Occidental.

Bernardino Jalandoni Ancestral House (Negros Occidental): The ancestral house of Don Bernardino Jalandoni and wife Ysabel Ledesma-Jalandoni. It is one of the best well preserved colonial structures in Negros Occidental. Address: Rizal Street, Bacolod City

Dizon Ramos Museum (Negros Occidental): The ancestral house of Raymundo Dizon and wife Hermelinda Ramos exhibits the memorabilia of the family, a showcase of the lifestyle of the affluent in the 1950s. Address: JRR Foundation 42 Burgos Street, Bacolod City

Evelio B. Javier Museum (Antique): The museum is a tribute to slain local hero, Governor Evelio B. Javier. Address: Old Capitol Building, San Jose de Buenavista, Antique

Museo Iloilo (Iloilo): The museum showcases Panay’s rich cultural heritage. It has prehistoric artifacts of the region.

Manuel Severino Hofileña Ancestral Home (Negros Occidental): The ancestral house of one of the prominent families of Negros Occidental, the Hofileñas, has some of the finest art collections in the country by foremost Filipino painters Juan Luna, Jose Rizal and Feliz Resurreccion Hidalgo. Address: Cinco de Noviembre Street, Silay City

Negros Museum (Negros Occidental): The museum is an exhibit of Negros’ history as the Sugar Capital of the country.

Roxas City Museum (Capiz): Originally a water-storage tank, the museum, houses the memorabilia of President Manuel Roxas. Address: Roxas City, Capiz

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Region VII (Central Visayas)

Carcar Museum (Cebu): The museum is one of the few remaining Spanish colonial houses in Cebu. It is a showcase of Philippine architecture typical of the Spanish colonial period.

Casa Gorordo Museum (Cebu): The museum is a showcase of Philippine architecture at the turn of the century.

Museo Sugbo (Cebu): The Cebu branch of the National Museum houses the artifacts of the Cebu-built galleon, San Diego.

Siliman University Anthropological Museum (Negros Oriental): The university museum houses ethnographic artifacts.

Southwestern University Museum (Cebu): The university museum has a remarkable collection of pre-Hispanic cultural artifacts.

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Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)

Father Cantius J. Kobak Museum (Samar): The museum holds pre-Hispanic artifacts and 17^th century manuscripts. Address: Samar

Santo Nino Shrine and Heritage Center (Leyte): The guesthouse of Imelda Marcos in her hometown of Tacloban showcases antique pieces from around the world. Address: Tacloban City, Leyte

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Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula)

Fort Pilar Museum (Zamboanga City): The Zamboanga branch of the National Museum showcases the archaeological finds from the Grifim which sank in the 18^th century in Basilan and the ethnographic artifacts of the indigenous peoples in the region.

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Region X (Northern Mindanao)

Capitol University Museum of Three Cultures (Cagayan de Oro): The university museum features the cultures of the Maranao of Marawi,  the Matigsalug, Higaunon and Tigwa Manobo tribes of Bukidnon, and the Visayan migrants of Iligan. Address: Capitol University, Corrales-Osmeña Street Extension, Cagayan de Oro City

Museo de Oro (Cagayan de Oro): The university museum houses the artifacts excavated from the Huluga Cave. Address: Xavier University, Corrales Avenue, Cagayan de Oro City

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Region XI (Davao)

Museo Dabawenyo (Davao City): The museum showcases the rich cultural heritage of the indigenous peoples of the region.

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Region XII (SOCCSKSARGEN)

B’laan Village Museum (Saranggani): The village museum showcases the culture of the B’laan, an indigenous people in the region. Address: Sitio Lamifew, Malungon, Sarangani Province

Museum of Muslim and Tribal Culture (General Santos City): The university museum showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Maguindanao Muslims and B’laan indigeneous peoples. Address: Mindanao State University, Fatima, General Santos City

T’boli Museum (South Cotabato): The museum showcases the arts and culture of the T’boli, the tinalak weavers of Mindanao. Address: Lake Sebu, South Cotabato

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Region XIII (Caraga)

Butuan Regional Museum (Agusan del Norte): The museum has a vast collection of ethnographic artifacts of the province. Address: Brgy. Do-ongan, Butuan City

Balangay Shrine (Agusan del Norte): The Butuan branch of the National Museum houses artifacts related to the prehistoric seafaring tradition of the province. It has a display prehistoric boats dating 4^th to 13^th centuries.

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Aga Khan Museum (Lanao del Sur): Located inside Mindanao State University, it has a collection of Maranao and Moro artifacts.

Jolo Museum (Sulu): The Jolo branch of the National Museum showcases the rich Islamic heritage of the country.

Tawi-Tawi Ethnological Museum (Tawi-Tawi): The university museum contains ethnographic artifacts of Tawi-Tawi and the islands of Sulu. Address: Mindanao State University, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi

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Cordillera Administrative Region

Aguinaldo Museum (Baguio City): The museum is a tribute to the country’s revolutionary heroes.

Banaue Museum (Benguet): The museum has a collection Igorot artifacts and books written by anthropologist Otley Beyer. Contact: (074) 386-4078

Bencab Museum (Baguio City): The museum houses the work and collection of National Artist Benedicto “Bencab” Cabrera.

Bontoc Museum (Mountain Province): The museum has a collection of photos of the region’s major indigenous peoples. Address: Bontoc, Mountain Province

Kabayan National Museum (Benguet): The Kabayan Branch of the National Museum showcases the ritual artifacts of the indigenous peoples of Benguet, the Ibaloi, Kankanay and Ikalahan.

Museum of Cordilleran Sculpture (Ifugao): The museum has a collection of Ifugao woodcarvings.

Ganduyan Museum (Mountain Province): The museum is a display of Igorot artifacts. Address: Sagada, Mountain Province

St. Louis University Museum of Art (Baguio City): The university museum displays artifacts of the Cordillera people. Address: St. Louis University, A. Bonifacio Street, Baguio City

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National Capital Region

AFP Museum: The museum is a tribute to Filipino soldiers. On display are letters of Philippine revolutionary heroes, Apolinario Mabini and President Emilio Aguinaldo. Address: Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City

Ateneo de Manila University Art Gallery: The university museum is a showcase of Philippine modern art.

Ayala Museum: The museum traces the county’s history in a collection of dioramas. Located at the Central Business District, it has exhibits on Philippine history, art and culture.

Bahay Nakpil Bautista: The museum showcases the memorabilia of Gregoria de Jesus, wife of Philippine revolutionary hero, Andres Bonifacio.

Bahay Tsinoy: The museum features dioramas and photos depicting the role of the Chinese in the Philippines.

BSP Money Museum: The museum is the repository of the country’s numismatic heritage.

Cultural Center of the Philippines: The Museo ng Kalinangang Pilipino at the Cultural Center of the Philippines has an impressive collection of Islamic pieces and Asian musical instruments.

De La Salle University Museum: The university-art museum has a collection of Philippine modern art.

GSIS Museo ng Sining: The museum houses a collection of Philippine contemporary art.

Lopez Museum and Library: The museum has a collection of rare Filipiniana books, maps, archaeological artifacts and fine art.

Malacañan Museum: The museum is the memorabilia of the country’s Presidents. The Malacañan Museum accepts tourists by appointment only. Address: Kalayaan Hall, Malacañang, Manila

Marikina Shoe Museum: The museum has a collection of Imelda Marcos’ shoes. Address: JP Rizal Street, Barangay San Roque, Marikina City

Metropolitan Museum: The museum has an impressive collection of classical Philippine goldwork of the 8^th to the 13^th century.

Museo ng Maynila: The museum is an America-era building that exhibits photos of Manila during the American period. Address: South Boulevard, Ermita, Manila

Museo Pambata (Children’s Museum): It features interactive exhibits for children.

Philippine Air Force Museum: The museum traces the aviation history of the country.

Postal Museum and Philatelic Library: The museum is the country’s repository of stamps. Address: Liwasang Bonifacio, Manila

San Agustin Museum: The museum of the San Agustin Church, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a showcase of ecclesiastical art. Address: General Luna Street, Manila

UP Vargas Museum: The university museum showcases artworks of late 19^th-century artists.

University of Santo Tomas Museum of Arts and Sciences: Reputed to be the country’s oldest museum, it has a collection of flora and fauna specimens, rare books, religious images and paintings.

Veterans Federation of the Philippines’ Museum: The museum is a tribute to Philippine World War II soldiers.

Yuchengco Museum: The museum houses the art collection of Ambassador Alfonso Yuchengco

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