In case you’ve been missing out on all things art and history, the metro is brimming with a lot of them. If you know where to go, then you just might be able to see and discover the best of everything – from historical pieces to the classic and contemporary arts.
Head on over to these museums and galleries within and close to Manila for when you need to have your fill of some good ol’ arts and culture:
1. National Museum of the Philippines
Address: NHCP Building, T.M. Kalaw Street, Ermita, Manila
Schedule: 10AM to 5PM (Tuesdays to Sundays)
What to See: The museum houses four different collections: Fine Art, Archaeology, Ethnography, and Natural History. While you're there, make sure to see Juan Luna's famous Spoliarium.
Fees: Free
2. Metropolitan Museum of Manila
Address: Bangko Sentral Ng Pilipinas Complex, A. Mabini St., Roxas Blvd., Manila, Metro Manila
Schedule: Museum hours: 10AM to 5:30 (Monday to Saturday); Gold and Pottery Galleries: 10AM to 4:30PM (Monday to Friday)
What to see: The museum features both ongoing and permanent exhibitions so you might want to check both while you're there. The Philippine Contemporary: To Scale the Past and the Possible highlights the modern and contemporary art made by both the Filipino and foreign artists.
Fees: P100 (Regular rates); P80 (Senior Citizens and PWD)
3. CCP Museo ng Kalinangang Pilipino
Address: Cultural Center Of The Philippines (CCP), Roxas Blvd. cor. Pablo Ocampo Sr. St., CCP Complex, Pasay, Metro Manila
Schedule: 10AM to 6PM (Tuesdays to Sundays)
What to see: The place features works of the Filipino traditional artists, aiming to preserve and to provide a deeper understanding on the country's culture and the arts.
Fees: P40 (adults); P30(students and children)
Address: GSIS Building, Roxas Boulevard, Metro Manila, Financial Center, Pasay
Schedule: 8AM to 4:30PM (Tuesdays to Saturdays)
What to see: There's a permanent exhibition of the GSIS Art Collection that you could always check out. The museum also holds regular art competitions and exhibitions highlighting the works of FIlipino artists.
Fees: Free
5. Presidential Museum and Library
Address: Kalayaan Hall, Malacanang Palace, 1000 Jose P. Laurel Sr. St., Manila, Metro Manila
Schedule: 9AM to 3PM (Monday-Friday). Tours are scheduled upon request and must be filed 7 days prior.
What to see: This office is tasked to maintain and preserve books, periodicals, and other publications belonging to the Office of the President. The office also preserves artworks and the collections owned by former presidents.
Fees: Free
Address: G/F Benpres Building, Exchange Road cor. Meralco Ave., Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Schedule: 8AM to 5PM (Mondays to Saturdays)
What to see: Known to be the oldest privately-owned and managed museum specializing in Philippine material, you could check out works by Juan Luna, Felix Resurreccion HIdalgo, and Jose Rizal.
Fees: P100 (Adults); P80 (Senior Citizens with ID); P60 (Students Grades 1-6 with ID); P80 (Grade 7 until college level with ID)
Address: 1 Sierra Madre Street, Grand Heights Road, Antipolo, Rizal
Schedule: 9AM to 6PM (Tuesdays to Sundays)
What to see: For the art and nature lovers out there, Pinto Museum is the place to be. Its many galleries showcase the Filipino contemporary art scene. Once you're done seeing all the artworks, you could also go out and just enjoy the green scenery of the place.
Fees: P200 (regular ticket); P180 (Senior Citizens and PWD with ID); P100 (children and students with ID)
8. Museum for the Mind and Spirit
Address: 2nd level, E-com Building Riverbanks Center, Barangka Marikina City
Schedule: 8AM to 5PM (Fridays to Sundays)
What to see: The museum is home to galleries that differ in themes. The Spirit of Betlehem features a collection of belens paintings and sculptures. Museum of Miniatures is all about miniature replicas of things you see in a European mansions. Lastly, the Joey Velasco Gallery shows the works of the late artist including his famous Hapag ng Pag-Asa.
Address: Jorge B. Vargas Museum and Filipiniana Research Center, Roxas Avenue, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City
Schedule: 9AM to 5PM (Tuesdays to Saturdays)
What to see: Their exhibitions change every now and then, but all year round, they have a gallery solely for the exhibition of the works of artist Jorge B. Vargas.
Fees: P20 (UP Students, alumni, faculty, and employees); P30 (general public); Free every Wednesday for UP students, alumni, faculty, and employees
Address: Level 2, Rizal Library Special Collections Building, Ateneo de Manila University, Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City
Schedule: 8AM to 7:30PM (Monday to Friday); 8AM to 6PM (Saturday)
What to see: Their exhibitions change every now and then so you're sure to see something new every time you visit. Currently, you may visit the following exhibitions: Shared Residence (until March 2018) and Lines: Pictures and Poems by Jose Garcia Villa (Until August 27, 2017).
Fees: Free (for individual visitors, Ateneo students, faculty, and staff), P20 (per person for groups with more than 30 members)
11. The Museum at De La Salle University
Address: 2nd Level – Don Enrique T. Yuchengco Hall, De La Salle University, 2401 Taft Avenue, Malate, Manila
Schedule: 8AM to 5PM (Monday to Friday)
What to see: The museum is home to a collection of Philippine modern art donated by Wili and Doreen Fernandez. It also features works by Fernando Amorsolo, Ang Kiukok, Carlos "Botong" Francisco, Cesar Legaspi, and more.
Fees: Free (DLSU Students); P25 (non-DLSU Filipino students and individuals); P50 (foreigners)
12. Museum of Contemporary Arts and Design
Address: Dominga St. Malate, Manila
Schedule: 10AM to 6PM (Tuesdays to Saturdays); 10AM to 2PM (Sundays)
What to see: MCAD, as it is located within an art college, holds programs and exhibitions that are in line with film, fashion design, animation, multimedia, photography, architecture, and music production. The gallery features a new exhibition every now and then so you have a reason to visit every time.
Fees: Free
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Did we miss your favorite museum? Share it with us in the comments below!
