Hello, and howdy beautiful people in this community? How are you today? I wish you had a great day just as I am today. Before the opening of classes, I wanted to visit the National Museum for it is a rare opportunity to be in the city if classes start next week. So, I invited my friends to have a museum escape over the weekend to see another great structure and another historical weekend for us. And without any doubt, we agreed to visit the said place.
The National Museum of the Philippines is located near the Plaza Independencia. In my previous blogs, I wrote some historical views that can be seen near the area one of which is the Old Malacañang Palace of Cebu which is now the National Museum of the Philippines - Cebu. Good news last August 1, 2023, they started to open for public viewing with free entrance.
The museum is open from Tuesday until Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 in the afternoon. Because it's new to the public, the place is 100% full of tourists every day. It has 2 floors which consist of different historical phases of the history of Cebu.
Though the sun is shining brightly today, that will never defeat our purpose to fall in the line and get inside the museum. I wanted to see this place because it is a good opportunity for us can share something with our students as a teacher. It's very expensive if I travel my students to the place for 3 hours before we can reach the city and showing them pictures and stories about the museum will somehow ignite their imaginations and arouse their interest to learn and visit the place someday.
Fall in the line, please...
Before we could get inside, you had to fall in line together with other tourists who were also very excited to see the inner beauty of the place. Next, if you are in a group, you have to assign only one person to write her/his identity and provide valid IDs to them.
NOTE: Near the entrance, you had to place your water bottles and umbrellas in the designated area for it is not allowed to bring them inside. Do not touch the displays in the National Museum. Let your eyes be amazed at the wonderful things you can see inside. Take as many pictures as you want but no flash in taking images.
LET'S START EXPLORING...
Gallery 1:
Kinaiyahan: Cebu's Natural Wonders
In this phase, you will see how rich Cebuano culture among the flora and fauna which showcases the diverse rare plants and animals that can be seen in Cebu, the geographical stones from the different parts of Visayas region, and the different places in Cebu which attracts tourists.
At the entrance door, you will see the famous Cebu Tamaraw. Similar to the carabao its size is smaller than the carabao groups. It was seen in Cebu a long time ago but becomes endemic as time goes by. The bones were accidentally discovered by some engineers in Balamban, Cebu, and brought to Europe for further studies.
You will also witness the different geographical features of Cebu. Other types of rocks from the different provinces of Cebu are being displayed in the area. You will be amazed by the 3D pictures of the different stones that could be seen in Cebu.
On the next corner, you will see the Flora and Fauna that are present in the diverse forest of Cebu. So that visitors will have an idea what are the endemic plants in Cebu, they presented similar iconic plants made of cement and placed them inside the museum. Also, there were pictures of endemic animals displayed in the area.
Some endemic species of flora and fauna found in Cebu
The museum not only gives us the idea of the endemic flora and fauna in Cebu but it also reminds us that we should take care of our environment so that the next generations to come will see how beautiful the place is. Everyone is encouraged to help in the rehabilitation of our deep forest trees so that animals will be seen for longer times and to protect the hidden gems of Cebu.
Another corner amazes me a lot, the MOBILE MUSEUM BOXES. The mobile museum boxes consist of traveling exhibition kits mounted in customized boxes showcasing the different collections of specimens and artifacts. This Mobile Museum Boxes aims to extend museum engagement in the different parts of the country and to widen their knowledge of the rich natural and cultural heritage of the Philippines.
Gallery 2:
Ang Karaang Sugbo ug ang mga Kabiling Bahandi
This phase showcases the history of Cebu, the map of old Cebu, and other related information about the lives of Cebuano.
After a century of exploration of the history of Cebu, this corner will showcase the archeological discoveries that shed light on the life of the early Cebuano's. The burial practices, how trading and economy were done before, lifeways and settlements, social stratifications in Cebu and the colonial transitions, and the spread of Christianity to Cebuano people.
Gallery 3:
Paglawig: Cultural Movement Across the Seas
This feature showcases the exhibit traditions inculcated in maritime history and industry in Cebu.
As an archipelagic island, the waterways play an important part in the formation of Cebu Island. It acted as a source of livelihood for the people. Thus, people created fishing vessels for them to utilize the sea as a source of income.
Different fishing vessels are being displayed in the museum from the different provinces of Cebu. It also portrays the different fishing nets being used by Cebuano from the old one to the present times.
Waterways plays an important part in trading to other countries
The sea also plays an important role in the trading and exchange of goods with other countries. The museum displays a lot of ceramic plates, old jars in different sizes, and things made of metals, glass, and stones which proves that Cebu engaged in trading even before.
Gallery 4 and 5
The Philippine Center New York Core Collection of 1974
Ang Kamamugnaon ug Kinaadman ni Maestro Tinong
On the second floor, you will find Gallery 4 & 5 which displays art exhibits from the Philippines which brought the collection of Philippine Center New York to Cebu and the famous art collection of Maestro Tinong.
You will see how artistic Filipinos are in creating this exhibit where quality matters in all art displays. Some of the displays in Art Gallery 4 that captured my attention were the Sagrada Familia crafted from wood, Aquarius made of metal, and productivity improvement a combination of metal and wood art.
Art gallery 5 also portrays the artistic works of the famous artists of Cebu. Some portrayals you can see are the head sculpture from wood, our local hero Lapu-Lapu, the late President of the Philippines Ramon Magsaysay, and U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
There were also famous paintings displayed on the second floor which contributed to the formation of Cebu Island.
It was a great weekend museum adventure. A lot of information loaded into my mind. From the start of the exhibit until the last, I was really in awe of everything. This only shows how rich the history and culture of Cebu and other nearby islands are.
In writing this blog, I am dumbfounded still where to begin writing because all in all everything amazes my eyes and I want to share with you all how impressed I am.
If you want to see the National Museum personally, you can take a jeepney or a taxi and drop you off at Plaza Independencia, a walking distance from Magellan's Cross and Fort San Pedro. It's FREE as of this writing.
That's all for today's blog my Hive friends. I hope you enjoy your virtual tour with me.
Have a nice day everyone😊
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