“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” – Soren Kierkegaard
I am that kind of soul who jerks when I hear the word “museum”, it meant beautiful things for me, it meant that I am allowed to take a peek of what was back in time, it meant travelling for me, it meant the feeling of a dancing soul.
If I have the opportunity to visit those I wanted and I can, I will. So when we get the chance to stay somewhere in Manila, our itinerary included the museums.
We visited the “National Museum of Natural Arts” one weekend. The six – leveled building recently opened officially to the public last May of 2018. It used to be the “Agriculture and Commerce building” before it became the seat of the “Department of Tourism”.
It boasts a Neo-classical facade including its’ over-all interiors, a type of architecture that focuses on simpler lines, huge columns and blank walls generating grandiose. A far cry of Rococo style which it preceded.
Photo source: https://www.metmuseum.org/blogs
The Designer of the building was a Filipino Architect: Antonio Toledo during the late 1930s. While the renovation was taken cared of Dominic Galicia Architects from the year 2015 to 2018.
It surprised us that upon arrival, there’s a long queue (people of all ages), and mostly are students. Another thing that was a surprise is that the entrance is free. I wondered where will they get the budget to maintain it, though it made me admire the government since this kind of perk enables more visitors to appreciate the museum and what it has to offer.
I noticed too that there are no leaflets or maps that were provided as a guide, so we were a bit lost as to where to go first. Like you can roam around the whole area as you please. There are usherettes stationed in some areas but not in all areas to guide you. We used the ramps to go the next level.
Enjoy the rich collection of the country’s flora and fauna, artifacts which some can only be found in the Philippines.
I specifically targeted the hundreds of butterfly species kept intact, there’s a room filled with different species of trees which we weren’t able to visit because it was almost 5pm when we reached that floor, different kinds of minerals were also showcased, there is also a replica of the world’s largest crocodile (in captivity) popularly known as “Lolong”. I think he is one of the major attractions of this museum.
It’ll also bring you to the depths of the sea. =)
There are too many corners that are “Instagrammable”. =)
Personally, what initially lured me is the white canopy with geometric designs that connects to the tube-like elevator that I later learned they called the “Tree of life”.
Find time to visit, it is literally a learning and rewarding experience. It is open from 10:00am to 5:00pm from Tuesday to Sunday and closes during Mondays.
The National Museum of Natural Arts along with the National Museum of Fine Arts, the National Museum of Anthropology, and the National Planetarium which is known as the National Museum Complex located in Rizal Park, Roxas Blvd., Malate, Manila.
Jen’s tenacious to see the rest, she’s wanting to see the Spoliarium by Juan Luna. It is somewhere in the National Museum of Fine Arts. While I, itching to have a photo on the collections of Juan Luna and Felix Hidalgo mounted on pink walls. =) Maybe one of these days. =)
PS: The restrooms are immaculate too. =)
