Here are some things/ tips you might find useful to know to make your visit to the National Museum more enjoyable and memorable.
1. The present National Museum is actually housed in two structures- the main building is the former home of the Philippine Congress holds the National Gallery. It was designed in 1918 by American architect Daniel Burnham. Take some time to admire the turn of the century colonial architecture, especially the lobby of the National Gallery.
Across the street is the more modern Museum of the Filipino People which houses the Anthropology and Archaeology Divisions. Its former tenant is the Department of Finance and is just across Rizal Park. It has a lovely courtyard best used to relax in between tours, the Ifugao Hut is a nice touch.
2. Past the lobby is a room devoted to the works of two revered Filipino painters. If you’re seeing it for the first time, Juan Luna’s Spoliarium is MASSIVE. The images of the dead gladiators are almost life-size and seem to emerge from the heavy canvas- a symbol of Spain’s harsh treatment of the Philippine Islands. Even the heavy wooden frames and chain add a sense of darkness and foreboding to the violence and death being depicted in the painting. It is believed the painting, which one the gold medal at the Exposición Nacional de Bellas Artes in 1884 in Madrid, is Luna’s way of showing that native Filipinos can paint better than their Spanish colonizers. Upon seeing the painting, National Hero Jose Rizal was said to have been inspired to write his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.
Facing Spoliarium is Felix Ressureccion Hidalgo's “Assassination of Governor Bustamante”- accounts differ but there was definitely a difference in opinion between the friars and the unfortunate governor who was supposed to redistribute land back to the masses.
3. There are no stores selling water or refreshments in the museum. It would be wise to bring at least a bottle of water with you but you’ll have to deposit them with your bags at the entrance.
4. There are several quality dioramas at the Museum of the Filipino People worth checking out. Enjoy learning how artifacts were recovered from the wreck of the trading ship San Diego, sunk off Fortune Island in Nasugbu, Batangas. (Trivia: the San Diego, hastily converted into a warship to fight Dutch privateers, was sunk without firing a single shot because she could not bear the weight of the cannons and capsized.)
5. You want a dose of creepy? There are several burial jars dating back to the Stone Age on display. One urn from Romblon even contains the remains of one of our ancestors. The dim light in the room where these are displayed adds to the eerie feel which mimics being in a burial cave. Best bring a friend with you.
6. Cameras are allowed but flash photography is a no-no!
7. No two artists are alike, compare the work done by “local” painters with their European-educated counterparts.
8. There is a gallery devoted to Dr. Jose Rizal containing paintings honoring the National Hero. Also on display is a particular sculpture done by Rizal himself- proof that Pepe is an animal lover. We won’t tell you what but you know when you visit. =)
