Project Must See: Museums in Metro Manila, Philippines

I have been living in the city for as long as I could remember, and in Manila alone there are so many places I haven't been to or explored. Travel and discovery, I believe, are innate qualities of my being. I may be an introvert, perhaps even bordering to becoming a social hermit, but the opportunity to explore hole-in-the-wall establishments, cultural hubs and art exhibitions always excites me. Through exposure you learn and get insights. And most importantly, you gain inspiration, even from those that most would consider as mundane. Creativity and inspiration are ideas that always seem to be beyond one's grasp but at times, especially when our minds are clouded. Through selective conditioning and unrealistic expectations, we fail to see any sort of redeeming beauty in the "ugliest" of places. 

To travel and explore the community you live in is a path one navigates to discover your own history, and discovering your place and the part you play in your community. Metro Manila is the center of commerce; the most populous city in the Philippines. One can be disheartened and discouraged to explore the city because of the impending traffic, noise and air pollution combined. However, as Carlos Celdran, an artist and cultural activist, puts it in is TED Talks, " If you can't find beauty and poetry in Manila, you'll never find it anywhere."

Watch Carlos Celdran TEDx here: 

With this in mind, I am planning my  "walk this way" of Manila. Here are my pitstops for the month of August: 

1.  Revisiting Vargas Museum

Where: Roxas Avenue, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City  

Operating hours: Tuesday to Saturday, closed on most holidays, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Museum fee: Php 20.00 for UP students, alumni, faculty and employees, PhP 30.00 for everyone else; entrance is free every Wednesday for UP students, alumni, faculty and employees.

2. Ayala Museum 

Where: Makati Avenue corner De La Rosa Street, Greenbelt Park, Makati City 
Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Museum fee: P225 for adults, P125 for students, senior citizens, and Makati residents

3. Yuchengco Museum 

Where: RCBC Plaza corner Ayala and Senator Gil Puyat Avenues, Makati

Operating hours: Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Museum fee: P100 for adults; P50 for students; P25 for children and senior citizens

4. Revisiting National Museum 

Where: Padre Burgos Drive, Manila, Philippines 

Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Museum fee: P150 for adults; P120 for senior citizens; P50 for students; free admissions on Sundays

5. Metropolitan Museum 

Where: BSP Complex, Roxas Blvd, Malate, Manila

Operating hours: Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Gold and Pottery Galleries, Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Museum fee: P100 for adults and children above three years old; P80 for senior citizens

Let us explore the what Manila has to offer! 

Keeping it real.- PJV