Go on a Museum Drive Around Manila
There are notable museums in Metro Manila that are worth braving traffic for. If you want to explore Manila but do not want to commute, you can rent a Sedan car and do a museum tour. You will be surprised at how rich Philippine culture and heritage really is.
You can travel with friends or bring kids along to this worthwhile adventure. The following are some of the more popular museums with their ongoing exhibits and shows.
National Museum of the Philippines
The National Museum of Natural History has something exciting for everyone. It has a newly opened addition to the National Museum Complex and you can check this out during one of your visits. The entrance is free for everyone.
Admission hours: Tuesdays – Sundays, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Address: Padre Burgos Ave., Ermita, Manila
Metropolitan Museum of Manila
Aside from their free admission every Tuesday, visitors can also schedule a guided tour to see the exhibits at 2 p.m. every Saturday. Currently, the Met Museum holds the UP Vargas Museum’s “In the Wake of War and the Modern: Manila, 1941-1961” and “Fascination with Filipiniana” collections on their ground floor.
For those who are fond of contemporary art, the museum also has its landmark long-term exhibition. Entitled “The Philippine Contemporary: to scale the past and the possible,” it captures the work of modern Filipino and foreign artists.
Admission hours: Tuesdays, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Address: BSP Complex, Roxas Blvd., Malate, Manila
Museum of Contemporary Art and Design
Within the Benilde School of Design and Arts Campus in Malate is an open-to-all museum known as the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design. Though it is not a collecting institution, it displays exhibitions all year round that features the works of modern Filipino artists. It also hosts talks that encourage the public to be aware of the local contemporary art scene.
Admission hours: Tuesdays, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., and Sundays, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Address: Ground Floor, Benilde School of Design and Arts Campus, Dominga, Malate, Manila
NCCA Gallery
The NCCA Gallery is located in the lobby of the National Commission for Culture and Arts building in Intramuros, Manila. What is great about this museum is it offers a platform for artists to showcase their work.
Admission hours: Daily, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Address: 633 Gen Luna St., Intramuros, Manila
Ateneo Art Gallery
Ateneo Art Gallery offers free admission for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. It is now situated in the Arts Wing of Areté, the newly inaugurated humanities building. The gallery holds quite a number of exhibits.
These include a retrospective on the gallery itself that was put up in 1960 through Fernando Zobel’s donation. The gallery also houses the retrospective of Elmer Borlongan, which highlights his works in different media and chosen paintings from a private collection.
Admission hours: Tuesdays – Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., Sundays, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Address: Ateneo de Manila University, University Rd., Quezon City
Driving around for a museum tour is more convenient than booking several rides to get to various destinations. You can have control of how much time you want to spend on each stop and where you want to go in between viewings.
