National Museum of the Philippines

Location: The National Museum Complex is located at Padre Burgos Avenue, Rizal Park, Ermita, Manila.
Opening hours: Open from Tuesdays to Sundays, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. They are closed on Mondays and national holidays.
Entrance fee: Free for all visitors.
Reason to visit: It is a place where you can be inspired, educated, and entertained by the cultural and natural treasures of the Philippines.

 

Introduction of National Museum

The National Museum of the Philippines is a government institution that showcases the rich cultural and natural heritage of the Filipino people and the Philippines. It was established in 1901 by the American colonial government as the Insular Museum of Ethnology, Natural History, and Commerce, and later renamed as the Philippine Museum, but its roots can be traced back to the Museo-Biblioteca de Filipinas, which was founded by the Spanish colonial government in 1887. It is now composed of several museums that cover various fields of interest, such as fine arts, anthropology, natural history, archaeology, and more.

 

Among the many museums under the National Museum of the Philippines, three of them are in the National Museum Complex in Manila, and are highly recommended for visitors who want to learn more about the history, culture, and biodiversity of the Philippines. These are the National Museum of Fine Arts, the National Museum of Anthropology, and the National Museum of Natural History.

 

The National Museum of Fine Arts

The National Museum of Fine Arts is housed in the former Legislative Building, a neoclassical structure that was built in 1926 and served as the seat of the Philippine Congress until 1972. It features a collection of paintings, sculptures, and other artworks by Filipino artists from the 19th century to the present. The famous and notable works on display are the Spoliarium by Juan Luna, the Parisian Life by Juan Luna, the Progress of Medicine in the Philippines by Carlos Francisco, and the Portrait of the Propagandist by Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo. 

 

Image source: nationalmuseum.gov.ph

 

Floor plan of the National Museum of Fine Arts

►First floor
Hall of the Judiciary
William H. Taft Government Entrance
Architect Juan M. Arellano Hall
The Sandiganbayan Reception Hall
Seminar Room
National Art Gallery
National Archaeological Gallery Auditorium
Administrative Offices

►Second floor
Hall of the House of Representatives
Padre Jose Burgos Entrance
President Manuel Roxas Hall
Spoliarium Hall
Galleries One to Twelve
President Sergio Osmena Multipurpose Hall

►Third floor
Hall of the Senate
President Manuel L. Quezon Hall
Galleries Thirteen to Twenty-Four
Senate Session Hall (Main Level)
Senator Claro M. Recto Multipurpose Hall

►Fourth floor
Executive Level
Senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr. Hall
Galleries Twenty-Five to Twenty-Nine
Senate Session Hall (Mezzanine Level)
President Jose P. Laurel Multipurpose Hall, Management Offices

 

Address: Padre Burgos Ave, Ermita, Manila, 1000 Metro Manila, Philippines

 

The National Museum of Anthropology

The National Museum of Anthropology is in the former Finance Building, another neoclassical edifice that was built in 1940 and survived the destruction of Manila during World War II. It showcases the ethnographic, archaeological, and historical collections of the National Museum, as well as exhibits on the diverse cultures and traditions of the various indigenous and ethnic groups in the Philippines. Some of the highlights of the museum are the Manunggul Jar, a burial jar from the Neolithic period that depicts a boat with two souls on their journey to the afterlife, the Laguna Copperplate Inscription, the oldest written document in the Philippines that dates back to 900 AD, and the Baybayin Gallery, which features the ancient scripts and writing systems of the Philippines. 

 

 

Floor plan of the National Museum of Anthropology

►First floor
Corridor leading to offices
Exhibition, Editorial and Media Production Services Division Offices
Philippine Museum Foundation Offices
Archaeology Division Offices
Ethnology Division Offices
Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage Division Offices
National Museum Library

 

►Second floor
The San Diego: 500 Years of Maritime Trade Gallery
Garing: The Philippines at the Crossroads of Ivory Trade Gallery
Marble Hall

 

►Third floor
Lantaka: War and Peace
Manlilikha ng Bayan Hall
Lumad: Mindanao
Faith, Tradition and Place: Bangsamoro Art from the National Ethnographic Collection
Kaban ng Lahi (archaeological treasures)
Biyay: Traditional ecological knowledge of Philippine black communities

 

►Fourth floor
Reception Hall
Rice, Biodiversity and Climate Change
Hibla ng Lahing Filipino: The Artistry of Philippine Textiles
Baybayin: The Ancient and Traditional Scripts of the Philippines
Entwined Spheres: Mats and Baskets as Containers, Clothing and Conveyors
Museum Services Division Offices

 

Address: HXPJ+3C6, P. Burgos Drive Rizal Park, Teodoro F. Valencia Cir, Ermita, Manila, 1000 Metro Manila, Philippines

 

The National Museum of Natural History

The National Museum of Natural History is the newest addition to the National Museum Complex, and was opened to the public in 2018. It is situated in the former Agriculture and Commerce Building, a neo-Renaissance structure that was built in 1940 and served as the headquarters of the Department of Tourism until 2013.

It displays the natural history and biodiversity of the Philippines, as well as the scientific research and conservation efforts of the National Museum. Located in the center of this museum is an important icon – Tree of Life. A stunning architectural feature that serves as the centerpiece and elevator of the museum. Other exhibits worth seeing, such as the Lolong Exhibit, which showcases the remains of the largest crocodile in captivity, and the Marine Realm, which exhibits the marine life and ecosystems of the Philippine seas.

 

Image source: nationalmuseum.gov.ph

 

Floor plan of the National Museum of Natural History

First floor
Tree of Life Hall (Museum Introduction)
Lower Entrance Hall
Education and Multipurpose Hall
Visitor Services

Second floor
Gallery Eleven (Natural Heritage)
Gallery Twelve (Temporary Exhibitions)
Upper Entrance Hall
Upper Courtyard
Reception Hall

Third to Fifth floor
Mainly some galleries that display the Philippine geology, natural resources and biodiversity, etc.

Sixth floor
Rooftop Garden
Multipurpose Hall
National Museum Conference Center

 

Address: Teodoro F. Valencia Cir, Ermita, Manila, 1000 Metro Manila, Philippines

 

Useful Tips and Information to Guide You

Plan your visit ahead. You can come directly for a visit (no reservation required), but groups of 20 or more still need to book online in advance through http://reservations.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/ at least one day before the planned visit, and same-day reservations are not accepted. You can also download the National Museum app on your smartphone to access the audio guides and interactive maps of the museums.

Choose which museums to visit. The National Museum Complex is composed of three museums, each with its own theme and collection. You can visit all of them in one day, or focus on one or two that closest to you or interest you the most. You can also visit the branch museums in other regions if you have more time.

 

Respect the rules and regulations. The National Museum of the Philippines aims to preserve and protect the cultural and natural heritage of the country, so please follow the guidelines and instructions of the museum staff and security personnel.  Do not touch, lean on, or damage the exhibits and displays.  Do not take photos or videos with flash or tripod.  Do not bring food, drinks, or pets inside the museum.  Do not litter or make noise.

 

Learn and have fun. The National Museum of the Philippines is a place of education and entertainment, where you can discover and appreciate the beauty and diversity of the Philippines. You can read the labels and descriptions of the exhibits, listen to the audio guides or guided tours, watch the audio-visual presentations, or join the interactive activities and workshops. You can also buy souvenirs and publications at the museum shop, or enjoy a snack or a meal at the museum cafe.

 

How to get there

By jeepney: You can ride a jeepney that passes by Rizal Park or Taft Avenue, and alight at the National Museum stop. 
By LRT: You can take the LRT-1 and get off at the United Nations Station, then walk for about 10 minutes to the National Museum Complex.