Other sculptures in the exhibit included Rey Paz Contreras’ hardwood sculpture titled Tikbalang.

 

 

Front view

Back view

 

Michael Cacnio’s brass sculpture on hard wood titled The Flying Cook brought about a new-found respect for brass work.

 

Full view

Closeup

 

Daniel dela Cruz’s Not All Who Wander are Lost was made of mixed hand-sculpted metal.

 

Full view

Closeup

 

Other paintings in the exhibit included Jomike Tejido’s Kaharian ng Berbanya, which was painted on a handwoven mat; Magyawen by Liza Flores that showed a female goddess of the underworld; and Mela by Palma Tayona.

 

 

All in all, my visit to the Filipino Myths and Legends exhibit at the Vargas Museum was quite enlightening. I discovered that there are deities, folktales and other mythological elements present in every region from every tribe in the Philippines – even those that you might never have heard of before. It was also a nice change of pace to see works from up-and-coming artists instead of the usual already-established names in Philippine art.

The Vargas Museum is probably one of the most accessible museums in Manila. It could also be the museum that’s kindest on the wallet. There’s no reason not to visit – that’s for sure.

Visiting museums isn’t something that has to be done alone, either. It’s one of a lot of affordable things that you can do with friends.

And while you’re at it, why not visit a few historical sites in Manila, too?

 

 

The Vargas Museum, UP Diliman

 

Roxas Ave, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City

https://vargasmuseum.wordpress.com/

928-1927

 

 

Filipino Artists Portray Myths and Legends at the Vargas Museum, UP Diliman