Exploring the National Museums in Manila

In my previous blog, I've already mentioned our short trip to Metro Manila. It was our unexpected trip but we made sure to get our DIY plan before flying. So, our first itinerary for our first day to Manila trip will be the different National Museums. We are planning to visit National Museum of Fine Arts, National Museum of Anthropology, and National Museum of Natural History. So without further ado, lets begin the tour!

This was our first time traveling Metro Manila, excitement fills my heart. Exploring and visiting different places by just making our own trip and not having a plannned tour will surely gives us a little headache but with the best experience.

---

THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS

Hopping from one jeepney to another jeepney was our experience just to reach the destination. The blazing heat of the sun radiates around as we cross the streets but it never cross our mind to surrender, instead enjoying in the environment and asking help from the people who pass by is our weapon to achieve our day trip.

It was almost noon time when we arrive at our first stop, the national museum of the fine arts. It's free admission, you just bring in Ids and you're good to go.

The National Museum of Fine Arts open its doors to a lot of amazing art galleries and creative Filipino artists. This art museum is located on Padre Burgos Avenue, Eastern part of Rizal Park, formerly known as the National Art Gallery.

_{The famous Spolarium paint of Juan Luna will be the first to see when going inside the place.}

When we arrived, a lot of kids were having their field trip. They were very eager to be informed about its history. Glad that while they were young they already showed interest to history.

Next is the amazing painting of "Ang Kiukok", which I must say an extraordinary one. You can see different portraits of men at work. Have you visualized the photos of men working?

Another hall which I visited and loves to see is the Gallery 1 or Luis I. Ablaza Hall- where you can see the different scenarios of our Filipino ancestors during the Spanish colonization. You can see how creative our Filipino artists as they produced an iconic art based on what they have witnessed during that time. You can witness the pain, struggles that they experienced, war, and death on the paintings. Hats off to all the artists. You are truly an inspiration to all.

Next, we also visited the gallery hall which portrays a lot of paintings of the famous Philippine National Artist Fernando C. Amorsolo, which depicts different life events. He did hundreds of drawings because for him nature was truth with a thousand of faces. The paintings could not be clearly seen by taking pictures because its all in pencil. No colors applied. Indeed, life is amazing with variety of faces.

---

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY

National Museum of Anthropology is just a walking distance from the first museum. Without hesitation, we wanted to try and witness what could be seen inside. Though it was so hot outside, yet our determination to explore the place is overflowing.

As you enter the hall, you can see the different collections of Philippine ethnographic, and terrestrial and underwater artifacts that will showcase to everyone the story of the Philippines from the past to present.

_{This is a representation about their belief.}

Walking towards the center, you can find this hall which depicts the "Tau-Tao" or the visual retelling of the Bagobo myth about the afterlife. Bagobo believes that every person will be reincarnated and that they will undergo multiple lifetimes until they transcend wordly desires.

There are also several rooms that you can see around which also shows exhibitions and events about Philippine history such as the different beliefs and cultures of the people.

---

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

As I observed, this hall is superb. It's structures are amazing as if you are in the other country. As you can see outside, its just a normal structure of what is a typical museum building but if you go inside, it's extraordinary. The design on the center is what you call "The Tree of Life which proudly connects the unique ecosystem of the Philippines from the unique mountain ranges to the diverse marine life.

As we walk through the hall, there was a photography exhibition of the native plants in the Philippines. That was my first time seeing an exhibition of the flora and fauna that we can find in our country. That was an amazing experience!

On the other rooms, there are also displays of exhibitions.

In this hall, displays a huge size bone of a Marinduque Sperm Whale Skeleton where visitors surely appreciate its beauty.

---

As history lover, these exploration is very close to my heart. I am glad that I made a step today.

That's all for today my Hive friends. Thank you so much for reading my blog.

Have a nice day everyone😊.