When in Manila and you’re caught in the Petsa de Peligro days (usually a week before or after a payday), don’t sulk in your room or go MIA. When friends who don’t experience this sad plight invite me, I take out a few of the white lies I’ve collected through time from my bag-of-white-lies-stashed-in-the-far-corner-of-my-closet-to-be-used-only-in-emergency-situations. NOTE: This is an emergency. So I tell them I’m doing chores or running errands or feeling sick. The first two are my favorites. (FRIENDS: Now you know. Haha!)

Paris is not Paris without the museums. I’ve discovered a little haven where you and your friends can play Parisians for a day – specifically on Sundays: The National Museum of the Philippines.

The National Museum of the Philippines is located right in the heart of Manila. Two buildings bursting with entertainment, education and art. Each room is packed with rich history that’s sure to amaze and bring out the scholar in you. BEST PART: ADMISSION IS FREE ON SUNDAYS!

So wear your best museum #ootd, bring your camera, and get ready to experience Manila – Parisian style!

I’d like to apologize for not jotting down the names of the artists as the pieces demanded my full attention, but hey, you will be visiting on Sunday anyway, right?

The National Museum of the Philippines has everything that you need to know about your Pinoy roots from religion to music to lifestyle; every piece of art is exploding with stories. I suggest you wear comfortable shoes because you’ll do a lot of walking, though. There are about 3 floors in each of the 2 buildings, so your heels are nay on this trip.

The National Museum of the Philippines houses our version of molded busts made from plaster of Paris – pretty much like what you read about on Dan Brown’s books. You’ll see a lot of  these,  so be prepared and open your mind as some look really weird.

Find out how our ancestors went from point A to point B and how efficient and how creative their minds were. See for yourself just how rich the Philippines was, or still is – so rich that at one point, we actually used gold as belts!

Finally,  the masterpiece that lost its way, but is now home- Juan Luna’s Spoliarium (not Spolarium)

Here, you can freely admire and contemplate on what this painting is all about, or you can ask one of  the friendly and knowledgable staff of the museum to help you on the interpretation part.

My mini Philippine National Museum trip was very productive. Not only did I enjoy so much, but I also learned a whole lot about our history. I had so much of those wait-I-think-I-heard-about-this-moments. The experience was definitely a badly-needed break from the monotony of malls, traffic, and spendings!

When in Manila, forget about Paris! We’ve got our very own version here, ready to inspire and feed your need for art!

For other cool museums in Manila, check out our articles on Ayala Museum and Mind Museum. 🙂

P. Burgos St. Ermita, Manila

Tuesdays to Sundays from 10 am-5pm, students are asked for P50.00, adults for P150.00, and our grannys, P120.00.

FREE ON SUNDAYS.

Website: https://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nationalmuseumofthephilippines?fref=ts

Email: nationalmuseumph@yahoo.com

Tel: 02 527 1215