Manila Museums Manila’s history has seen it exposed to a variety of international influences and this has certainly played a major role in contributing to the cultural venues and museums that it now has to offer. TheNational Museumof the Philippines is arguably the highlight of this cultural scene in Manila and the one place not to miss, especially if you are at all interested in the events of the past in the city itself and other parts of the country too. Also very popular in Manila is the Children’s Museum (Museo Pambata), which always makes for a very enjoyable afternoon out for families.
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE PHILIPPINES
Address: Padre Burgos Street, Rizal Park, Manila, Philippines, PH Tel: +63 02 527 1215 This cultural attraction dates back to 1901 when it was founded as the Insular Museum of Ethnology, Natural History and Commerce. The museum is home to an extensive collection of artefacts related to the history of the city of Manila and the Philippines as a whole. Highlights include the skull of ‘Tabon Man’ – the oldest skeletal human remains found anywhere in the archipelago. Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday – 09: 00 to 17: 00 Admission: free
CASA MANILA MUSEUM
Address: Luna Street, Manila, Philippines, PH Tel: +63 02 527 4084 Housed in a replica of a traditional 19th century city home, the Casa Manila Museum features a collection of displays and exhibits that illustrate how the city’s affluent residents lived in its period under Spanish control. The house’s interior has been recreated to look exactly as it might have in the colonial era. Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday – 09: 00 to 12: 00, 13: 00 to 18: 00 Admission: charge
MUSEUM OF ARTS AND SCIENCES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS (UST)
Address: Epa Calle, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines, PH Tel: +63 02 781 1815 The Museum of Arts and Sciences boasts an extraordinary history since although it was not officially established until the 1870s, it does actually date back to the latter part of the 17th century when the University of Santo Tomas first began its collection. Many preserved specimens of local flora and fauna from throughout the Philippines can be found here, some of which are now actually extinct. Open hours: Tuesday to Friday – 09: 00 to 16: 30 Admission: charge, discounts for students.
MUSEO PAMBATA (CHILDREN’S MUSEUM)
Address: Roxas Boulevard, Manila, Philippines, PH Tel: +63 02 523 1797 Within this popular ‘edutainment’ center are eight separate rooms, each with its own theme and unique collection of interactive displays and exhibits focusing on topics such asscience, history, and art. The Museo Pambata also features an extensive calendar of events, with regular storytelling sessions for its younger visitors. Open hours: Tuesday to Saturday – 08: 00 to 17: 00 Admission: charge
PHILIPPINE ARMY MUSEUM AND LIBRARY
Address: McArthur Drive, Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines, PH Tel: +63 02 815 2899. On offer at this relatively new addition to the city’s museum collection are displays and exhibits detailing the history of the country’s armed forces. Visitors spending time exploring the Philippine Army Museum and Library can view a wide variety of artefacts, including antique weaponry, photographs of Filipino war heroes and items from WWII. Open hours: Monday to Saturday – 08: 00 to 17: 00 Admission: charge
PHILIPPINE SCIENCE CENTRUM
Address: Riverbanks Centre, 84A Bonifacio Avenue, Barangka, Manila, Philippines, PH Tel: +63 02 942 5136. Housed in a building belonging to the University of the Philippines, this museum is home to some 15 galleries and more than 200 interactive displays, covering topics such as electricity, anatomy and theenvironment. Children visiting the Philippine Science Centrum will especially love the Earth Science gallery and its section on animal sounds. Open hours: Monday to Saturday – 09: 00 to 16: 00 Admission: free
METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF MANILA
Address: Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, Philippines, PH Tel: +63 02 521 1517. Located close by and within Pasay City, the Metropolitan Museum of Manila is home to a wealth of historical collections of ceramics and gold artifacts. In particular, there is a ‘Gold Gallery’, where many priceless golden treasures are displayed, dating as far back as the 10th century. Even older are the pieces within the ‘Pottery Gallery’, where some ceramic remains are more than 2, 000 years old. Other highlights include temporary exhibitions, a library, a cafe and gift shops. Open hours: Monday to Saturday – 09: 00 to 18: 00 Admission: charge, discounts for seniors.
