MUSEUMS AND HISTORICAL

SITES
RESEARCH PAPER

D-JAY S. CANTONG | UCSP | SEPT. 28, 2021

TOP 10 MUSUEM AND HISTORICAL SITES
IN THE PHILIPPINES

1. National Museum of Fine Arts

The National Museum of Fine Arts, which is part of the National Museum of
the Philippines, is not your typical museum. It is a body that is educational,
cultural, and scientific in nature. It collects, documents, protects, exhibits,
and promotes academic research that demonstrate the distinctiveness of the
Filipino cultural legacy as well as the country's natural history.

Spoliarium by Juan Luna, The Burning of Manila by Fernando Amorsolo, The

Progress of Medicine in the Philippines by Carlos “Botong” Francisco, A Tragic
Lesson (The Fall of Bataan) by Gene Cabrera, Planting of the First Cross by
Vicente S. Manansala, and Noli Me Tangere by Vicente S. Manansala are among
the historical masterpieces on permanent display at the National Museum of Fine
Arts. These paintings are a must-see since they vividly reflect major events in the
Philippines.

Address: Padre Burgos Ave., Ermita, Manila

Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10.00am to 5.00pm
Entrance Fees: Free

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2. National Museum of Anthropology

The National Museum of Anthropology is a section of the National Museum that

conducts scientific research on the Filipino people's economic, ethnological, linguistic,
paleoanthropological, and anthropological characteristics. These investigations were
carried out by historians and scholars in order to support the development and protection
of physical and natural sciences in the Philippines

This museum collects and shows culturally significant artifacts from all throughout the
country, unlike its parent museum, which holds paintings. To date, the museum houses
over 10,000 cultural artifacts, including the Ifugao kinuttiyan, a woven cotton blanket
used to cover an Ifugao tribe member's corpse after death, and the ancient Filipino
syllabic letters known as "baybayin" engraved on bamboo. The Butuan Ivory Seal, which
was used in trade between the 9th and 12th centuries AD, and the Golden Death Mask,
which dates from the late 14th to early 15th centuries AD, are also included. It was
discovered in the Central Philippines, in San Antonio, Oton, Iloilo.

Address: Padre Burgos Ave., Ermita, Manila

Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10.00am to 5.00pm

Entrance Fees: Free

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3. Ayala Museum
Are you looking for somewhere to unwind and lose yourself in modern art? The
Ayala Museum in Makati's downtown district is ideal for you. You may see rare
books, images, and recordings at Filipinas Heritage Library, a one-stop electronic
research centre for Philippine history, art, language, social sciences, and culture,
in addition to a plethora of contemporary art emphasizing the country's historic
milestones.

The Gold of Ancestors: Pre-Colonial Treasures in the Philippines is one of the

museum's most prominent archaeological artefact displays. This is a collection of
over a thousand gold artifacts with appropriate names that represent Filipino
culture prior to colonial times. A Millenium of Contact, a large collection of trade
ceramics from Southeast Asia and China, is also available.

Address: Avenue corner De La Rosa Street, Greenbelt Park, Makati, Makati,

Metro Manila
Operating Hours: Ground-Fourth Floor Galleries – Tuesdays-Sundays | 9.00am to
6.00pm
Filipinas Heritage Library – Tuesdays to Saturdays | 9.00am to 6.00pm
ArtistSpace – Mondays-Sundays | 10.00am to 7.00pm
Entrance Fees: ₱100.00 – ₱425.00

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4. RIZAL PARK
This park, located right in the heart of the country’s capital Manila, has been
called various names: Luneta Park, Bagumbayan, and Manila Kilometer Zero.
Rizal Park was named after the country’s national hero, Jose Rizal, who was
executed there by the Spanish military firing squad after
spreading his revolutionary ideas against the Spanish rule.

The history of Rizal Park began in 1820 after the Paseo de Luneta was built in watery
patch of land south of the walls of Manila near the beach during the Spanish era. The
park was previously known as Nuevo Barrio or Bagumbayan which existed since 1601.
This area was later known as Bagumbayan Field where a moat surrounded outwork
called Luneta is located. Paseo de Luneta is located west of Bagumbayan field and was
also named Paseo de Alfonso XII after the King of Spain of the same name who reigned
from 1874 to 1885.

Address: Roxas Blvd Ermita, Barangay 666 Zone 72, Metro Manila

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5. Calle Crisologo
This famous 500-metre cobblestone street in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur is one of the
best displays of Spanish influence in the country. Stretching across only five
blocks, the calle (street) is lined with old heritage houses of Filipino-Chinese
traders who were prominent back in the days. The houses here are characterised
by thick walls, red roofs, huge doors and capiz shell windows.

The houses are simple but lovely subjects ready for picture-perfect shots with
their roofs of red tiles, thick walls, huge doors and stair cases leading to rooms of
high ceilings and sliding capiz shell windows. Having survived the many natural
and man-made calamities throughout the centuries, the families who own these
treasures have endeavored to maintain them. Visitors can admire more closely the
architecture and intricate craftsmanship employed in the grill and wood works
when they step inside some of the houses that have been turned into stores and
museums. They can even experience staying in a heritage house during their visit
as some have been converted into inns.

Address: Calle Crisologo, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur

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6. Leyte Landing Monument
Also known as the MacArthur Park, this 6.78-hectare war memorial
commemorates General Douglas MacArthur’s fulfilment to the Filipino people of
“I shall return”. The historical site in the Philippines is where MacArthur made
his return landing, which also signified the start of his campaign to help free the
Philippines from Japanese occupation back in 1944. Red Beach, where the park is
located, was named as such, not because of the sand but because of the colour the
sea supposedly turned into after blood was spilt on it during the war.

The MacArthur Landing site sits on a 6.78 hectares (16.8 acres) coastal plain in
the barangay of Candahug, some 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) south of Leyte's provincial
capital Tacloban. It was formerly named Imelda Park after former First Lady
Imelda Marcos who hails from Leyte Province.] The park's focal point are the
seven double-life-sized bronze statues on a shallow manmade pool depicting
MacArthur and his entourage during the historic A-Day Landing as captured in
the iconic photo by Gaetano Faillace. They were President-in-exile Sergio
Osmeña, Lieutenant General Richard Sutherland, Brigadier General Carlos P.
Romulo, Major General Courtney Whitney, Sergeant Francisco Salveron, aide
and orderly to Gen. MacArthur, and CBS Radio correspondent William J. Dunn.

Address: Red Beach, Palo, Leyte

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7. Aguinaldo Shrine and Museum
In Kawit, Cavite, the Aguinaldo Shrine and Museum is a noteworthy place. It was
the home of the Republic of the Philippines' first president. On June 12, 1898,
following the Philippines' declaration of independence from its Spanish
colonizers, the first official Philippine flag was raised here. Every year, the people
of Kawit hoist the Philippine flag in this shrine to remember the historical event.
The shrine and museum have previously undergone extensive repairs to ensure
that historical items such as Emilio Aguinaldo's personal mementos, flags, and
other emblems be preserved.

Dubbed as the House of History, the Aguinaldo Mansion is the locus of a focal
point in the unfolding of Philippine history. Constructed in 1845, the original
structure of the house was of nipa-and-thatch material. It was reconstructed four
years later using a variety of Philippine hardwood. By the 1920s, major
renovation saw the construction of the tower and the symbolic balcony of the
house. It was also during this period that the house was refurbished with
architectural details of nationalistic themes, masonic symbols, and art nouveau
and art deco’s artistic style prevalent during the early 20th century. The house
where the president lived was donated to the Filipino people in 1963, a year
before he passed away. In 1964, the house was placed under the care of the
National Museum of the Philippines and was declared a national shrine through
Republic Act No 4039

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Address: Kawit, Cavite
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 8.00am to 4.00pm
Entrance Fees: Free

8. Casa Manila
Casa Manila lets us see how life was like for Filipinos, especially those living in
Manila, at the time when the Philippines was still being ruled by the Spaniards. Its
wide array of the exhibit includes antique furniture, cooling implements, cooking
sets, and works of art typically found in the houses of affluent Filipinos.

The Casa Manila Museum tells the tale of Manila's social history during the
Spanish colonial period. This replica of a stately 19th-century mansion, decorated
and equipped in original period style, is typical of affluent Filipino families'
residences and provides a fascinating peek into a bygone age. The museum is
arranged over three floors, with the principal living area occupying the topmost
floor, reached via a grand staircase. Here you can admire antique furniture from
China and Europe, as well as items made by local artisans. Don’t miss the
impressive grandfather clock, as well as artworks, sculptures and other fine
decorative objects which a wealthy family would have enjoyed accumulating.

Address: Plaza San Luis Complex, Corner Real & Gen. Luna Streets, Intramuros,
Manila

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Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9.00am to 6.00pm
Entrance Fees: ₱75.00 (adults), ₱50.00 (students, senior citizens)

9. Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar

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