Museums are not only windows into the past—they are also magnifying lenses for the present and telescopes for the future. Our appreciation of “what is” and our understanding of “what will be,” have an intimate relationship with our knowledge of “what has been.”
Visit these three museums buried in the heart of the Walled City of Intramuros and delve into the past, present, and future!
San Agustin Museum
San Agustin Church was established in 1571 by the Augustinian Order, the first Spanish missionaries to set foot in the Philippines. Being made out of poor materials, (first of thatch and bamboo, and then of wood), the church was destroyed by fire twice before being reconstructed with stones in 1606—the structure that survives to the present day.
While the church suffered no further calamities, its nearby monastery was razed during WWII. Fortunately, the monastery was rebuilt and converted into a museum in which four centuries’ worth of religious art and relics now reside. Regardless of religious beliefs, San Agustin Museum will surely have much to offer those fascinated with history.
Address: General Luna Street, Intramuros, Manila
Museum hours: Daily, 8 am to 6 pm
Entrance fee: P100 for adults; P50 for students
Bahay Tsinoy
Chinese’ great influence on Philippine society, culture, and politics is undeniable–Bahay Tsinoy is a testament to this. Within its walls are numerous records and artifacts that shed light on the cultural and historical legacy of the Chinese, as well as the impact these had on many aspects of Philippine life. Among Bahay Tsinoy’s collection are a gallery of rare prints and photographs, a ceramics exhibit, a library of historical books and documents, and wax figures that depict the Chinese way of life—all of which serve to celebrate the merging of Chinese and Filipino cultures and the friendship of the two peoples throughout history.
Address: Kaisa Heritage Center, 32 Anda corner Cabildo Streets, Intramuros, Manila
Museum hours: 1 pm to 5 pm (Tuesday to Sunday)
Entrance fee: P100 for adults; P60 for children and students
Casa Manila Museum
Located just across San Agustin Church, Casa Manila is a museum styled after the mansions typical of late 19th century Manila. Spread across its three floors are authentic antiques of European, Chinese, and Filipino origins all dating from the Spanish Colonial Period. With its faithful recreation of the furnishings and architecture of the time, Casa Manila gives us vast insight into the lifestyles of the rich Spaniards and Filipino Illustrados, the educated class of Filipinos who developed a taste for travel and European culture.
Address：Plaza San Luis Complex, Cor. Real & Gen. Luna Sts. Intramuros, Manila
Museum Hours：9 am – 6 pm (Tuesday to Sunday)
Entrance Fee: Adults Php 75 ; Students/Teachers/Senior Citizens Php 50
Which among these museums do you want to visit? Let us know in the comment section below.
Sources:
Intramuros
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialIntramurosAdministration/photos/a.252438434855648/268823886550436/?type=3&theater
San Agustin Museum
http://primer.com.ph/travel/2014/10/08/san-agustin-museum/
Bahay Tsinoy
http://www.megacities-go-services.com/Manila/Master-Content-Pool/Bahay-Tsinoy-Museum-of-Chinese-in-Philippine-Life
Casa Manila
http://primer.com.ph/travel/2014/10/01/casa-manila-museum/
http://www.pisotraveller.com/2016/02/tipid-travel-tip-national-museum-of.html
Written by: Mikhail Joshua Mendoza
