The Museum of the Filipino People, Manila Philippines
The Museum of the Filipino People housed a vast collection of ancient things - including paintings of famous painters, archaeological treasures, and Filipino heritage and customs.
Discover more, learn more and unveil the secrets of the past.
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Why Visit Museums?
Museums possess impressive collections of artifacts and ancient relics that hold cultural and historical significance for a particular country. They feature various galleries showcasing past events and insights from antiquity, all available for public viewing.
Despite this, many people, particularly teenagers, express disdain for museum visits, finding them tedious and uninteresting compared to leisure activities like mall outings, bar hopping, or spending time in parks. Some may only visit museums due to academic obligations such as projects or thesis.
However, have you ever considered the opportunity to glean new knowledge from the past? Have you not felt the urge to delve deeper, ponder, and immerse yourself in the ambiance of ancient times?
Personally, I am fond of museums. They transport me back to the eras when these artifacts were utilized or these carvings were crafted.
I appreciate the museums for their role in preserving the remnants of our country's history, including the legacies of our greatest leaders and heroes, as well as the chronological narrative of our past. Visitors can see well-preserved archaeological findings, including the oldest jars utilized by our ancestors.
Before embarking on a tour of different galleries, let's briefly review the significance of this building:
The Museum of the Filipino People is a component or branch of the National Museum of the Philippines.
It houses the Anthropology and Archaeology Divisions and is located adjacent to the main National Museum building in Agrifina Circle, Rizal Park, Manila.
This building was renovated only in 2003 to transform it into the National Art Gallery of the National Museum.
It was originally designed as Public Library by Ralph Harrington Doane, an American Consulting Architect and his assistant Antonio Toledo.
The construction took some time to finish because of the lack of fund to continue. It was a part of Daniel Burnham's plan to develop the city of Manila and was inaugurated on July 16, 1926.
The Museum of the Filipino People Galleries
The San Diego Wreck-site Gallery
This gallery depicts the wreck site of the Spanish Ship San Diego and its artifacts. The traces of collision between San Diego and the Dutch Ship "Mauritius" on December 14, 1600 on the shores of Nasugbu, Batangas can be seen in this gallery.
San Diego is a Spanish trading ship or galleon built in Cebu City by European Builders, and was originally known as "San Antonio", that sank off the coast of Luzon in 1600. The gallery showed how the artifacts appeared when discovered by archaeologist 54 meters underwater.
Treasures also were retrieved from the ill-fated ship like porcelains, jewellery, tablewares, silvers and silver coins, jars and pottery.
The Origin Gallery (Pinagmulan)
This is one of the best galleries, showcasing the information on the origin of the Philippine Island as well as Filipinos. There are interactive displays, hands-on gadgets which you can really use to make the tour more meaningful.
Archaeological Treasures Gallery (Kaban ng Lahi)
This gallery portrays the burial practices of our ancestors. It shows burial jars as well as pottery that were retrieved from different caves. There were also jars shaped as human and with different facial expressions.
The Filipino Today Gallery (Kinahinatnan)
The gallery showcased the diversity of culture that is truly Filipino.
This exhibit is divided into 4 sections: The Filipino People, The Ecological Zones, The National Treasures and The National Living Treasures.
This gallery focuses on the material culture and environment - how they live, what do they use or do - of the different linguistic groups in our country.
There is so much more awaiting discovery within this museum. The displayed pictures represent only a fraction of the remarkable treasures housed within this revered structure.
Within its walls lies an extensive collection of ancient artifacts and insights into bygone eras.
The tour itself promises enjoyment and amusement, provided visitors maintain quietness and adhere to the building's regulations.
It's disheartening to observe more people idly wandering the park than exploring the museum's offerings.
Visiting museums is truly enriching; it allows us to unearth factual accounts, journey back to the time of our ancestors, delve deeper into ancient cultures and ways of life, and engage with our history hands-on!
If you want to visit the Museum, here's a little guideline:
Entrance Fee:
- Php 100.00/head for Adult
- Php 30.00/head for Students (students enrolled in Philippine schools)
Free Admission every SUNDAY (walk-in only no group tour)
Exhibits: Daily (Excluding Mondays and Tuesdays)
Museum Hours: 10:00AM - 4:30PM
For any other concerns, you can contact Museum Education Division, @
Telefax: (02) 527-0278
Tel.#: (02) 528-4912
Watch Night at the Museum movies on Amazon:
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
