Visiting a Museum was the last thing I expected to experience here in my root's hometown. I've got no clue that we have one and I believe most of the locals in my place don't know about this Museum either!
Bogo City Public Library and Museum were opened to the public last 2008 a year after the Municipality of Bogo became a city. I remember, there was this time I said, "How come, a city doesn't have a Museum to keep and take pride in the rich artifacts of its people?". Little did I know that this humble Museum of Bogo has been existing and has been catering to tourists, students, and guests showcasing its beautiful collection.
Surrounded by different business establishments, three big colleges, and high schools, Bogo City Museum takes shade from the tall and giant trees at the heart of Bogo City Public Plaza. The building's design is so simple and plain. No one would think that it's a Museum (or was it only me?)Unless you will ask or read that old signage in front of the simple and flat building you wouldn't know that a display of works and art inside is waiting for your visit.
So taraa, let's explore the Museum and let us be amazed together by its vast wonderful collection!
The whole space
After paying our admission fee of 10 pesos (0.18 USDD), we then roamed around and marvel at the interesting items. The museum is not that wide and huge yet it looked so spacious because the items were properly organized and the room is well-ventilated too. Some of the items were kept inside the glass while others were just openly displayed on the cabinets and some on the floor.
Folk Art
Once we got in, my eyes were automatically locked on the Folk Art Section. Any craft made of wood is an apple of the eye for me. I really love how aesthetic and impressive these old items were crafted. Moreover, I was more impressed to learn and discover the materials and things that Bogohanon (people living in this city)used in their day-to-day life before the inventions of the machines.
There were wooden mortars, crude stone mills, and wooden plates that date back to the 80s. These wooden crafts were ingeniously carved by natives from a trunk of an old tree.
The first Filipino International Boxing Champion Corner
One of the main highlights of the Museum is the corner of the famous Filipino Boxer Gabriel "Flash" Elorde who is purely a Bogohanon. The Bogohanons take pride and honor in producing a Filipino boxer who holds the record in the super featherweight division for the longest title reign of seven long years! Wiki.
So, long before "Manny Pacquiao" become famous in our country and hailed as a Boxing Champion, Bogo city was already taking pride in its own World Champion Boxer, Gabriel "Flash" Elorde.
In the corner, you will find The "Flash's" statue, boxing gloves, shoes, and his most valuable Champion Belt. Along with his things are the publications (international and local) about him in which he was featured. I had goosebumps reading his record and knowing his history.
Click! Click! Click!
From this Hall of Fame Corner, I moved to the next corner where I found various kinds of cameras! This corner had awaken my curiosity and amazement at the different and unusual designs and sizes of the camera.
There were underwater cameras, ancient cameras that look like a telescope, old fashion cameras, and other cameras that just really look so weird. I have a little knowledge of some of the cameras but most of them was the first time my eyes laid on them.
Deep down the sea
Another interesting collection of the Museum in which my eyes went wide was the fossilized clam shell that is believed to be a million years old and that gigantic bone of a whale that was captured in 1987.
Paintings
Kids indeed love colorful stuff because, among the item in the Museum, it was the painting that caught my daughter's attention. She was touching every piece that is within her reach. Most of the paintings were portraits of the Public Plaza and some natures.
Folk Art
Other intriguing items in the room were the relics in the Folk art corner. There was plenty of earthenware that dates back to 1890-1900. These jars were used for storing food and drinks.
On the other hand, the steel-clad chest and the ancient canon brass gave me chills at how ancient they looked.
Literature and Music
Some ethnic drums and a stylish trumpet were the stars of the Literature and Music corner.
The literature corner. A collection of early publications of Bogohanons.
Other interesting items!
There were plenty of interesting items we saw as we roamed around the Museum and here are some of them:
A collection of stamps, coins, and money bills from around the world.
A cute wooden utensil with beautiful carving designs.
A cabinet from a Pre-World War Two with a very interesting intricate design on it. But what made this even more interesting is the reflection of me and my daughter holding a ladle that I think is a century older than her! Omg! I panicked when I saw her playing the artifact! Good thing she obeyed me when I told her to return it to its place. I swear I was sweating!
At the end of the tour, I learned that The Bogo Museum is an initiative of the government of Bogo to preserve and promote the arts, culture, and heritage of Bogo City. Definitely, this museum is one of the best avenues for students to witness and look back on the lifestyle, artistry, and cultural heritage of the town.
My museum tour is the most educational tour I have ever had in Bogo City. I enjoyed it and so with my baby, but I think it's not advisable to bring a toddler to a museum that is semi-open like this. I saw how happy and excited she interacts with all the things she saw in the museum, but still, as a mother, I should always be watchful and alert more than ever.
That's it for my Bogo City Museum Tour with a touch of a nerve-racking experience.Thanks for reading po. Hope you are all safe and well always.
