Philippines is a country that is rich in its culture and history. Showcasing this long heritage in all its glory is the National Museum of the Philippines. An apt building in Manila is home to the national art gallery, various other divisions including anthropology, cultural properties, botany arts and also a planetarium. The adjacent building functions as the Museum of the Filipino People.
How many museums can boast of a history that is as interesting as its exhibits? While construction was begun as early as 1918 the current National art gallery was going to be used by the legislature. Lack of funds however dragged the job and it was finally completed in 1926. After suffering damages during a bombing in 1945, the building was reconstructed with a few minor changes in 1946. However renovation work to transform the building in to a museum only began in 2003.
The National Museum’s art section records the country’s art development since the eighteenth century. The ethnography section has many national treasures and has exhibits of syllabic writings, Mandaya winged dagger, Mandaya silver breastplate, Sama grave marker and many others.
The Museum of the People of Filipino has 5 main exhibit areas. The San Diego exhibit lets you witness the wreckage site, while the second section takes you on a journey of ‘five centuries of marine trade before the advent of the west’. The third gallery known as ‘The Origin’ or ‘Pinagmulan’ brings to life the origin of these beautiful islands through the Palaeolithic, Neolithic, Metal and Ceramic Age.
The fourth exhibit called ‘Archaeological Treasures’ displays burial jars found in various caves and unique burial rituals practised by early Filipinos. Secondary burial, a very interesting practice, involved treatment of bones gathered from the decomposed corpse, cleaning and painting them and then reburying them. The last exhibit focuses on the culture and diversity of the Filipinos and is known as ‘Kinahinatnan’ in the local language.
Finding accommodation in Manila is extremely easy. If you are specifically looking for Manila Apartments there are quite a few places that are suitable. Serviced accommodation Manila has in store for its visitors is available in a range of prices and thus will not affect budgets badly. Somerset Olympia Makati is a luxurious service residence that is conveniently located and offers all modern amenities.
Umanga Kahandawaarachchi is a passionate travel writer who writes under the pen name, Maggie Tulliver. Her field of writing covers a wide array of content and articles related to travel and hospitality industry. Google+