Wednesday, January 16, 2008 A museum in the middle of the city By Ian Ocampo Flora
ANGELES City has indeed gone along way. From its humble days as a town leeched to the for US military base to the beginnings of the campaigns for its recognition as a chartered city, it has managed to play an important role in the history and commercial potential of the province and the region.
The first things that come to mind when in Angeles City are the malls and cosmopolitan establishments that have sprouted within its booming business atmosphere. But in the middle of all this hustle and bustle of commercialization, it is good to know that there is an institution that prides itself of being concerned with humble roots of this city.
The Museo Ning Kapampangan, which is located in the heart of the city, is the first ever civic-inspired museum here.
Finding a permanent home at the former City Hall in downtown Angeles, the museum plays host not just to cultural and historical artifacts but as well as presentations and public exhibitions.
Under the auspices of the Kuliat Foundation, the museum opened on December 8, 1999 on the occasion of the city's 170th birthday at the vacated city hall along Sto. Rosario Street.
The museum holds a throng of artifacts from World War II memorabilia's, dioramas, as well as historical information of the founding of Angeles as a town during the Spanish era.
The second floor of the building has been recently converted into a Culinary Library and Museum focusing on the rich food traditions of the province.
Patterned after the Ateneo de Manila model of a "Culinarium", the culinary library also showcases books and equipments in the Kapampangan Culinary arts.
Shows and exhibitions are distributed throughout the year and are showcased at the event area of the museum facing the old Sto. Rosario Church.
Workshops and seminars are also held here regularly along with art exhibitions of well known local and national artists in the different fields of the arts.
Though relatively young, the museum has amassed a good holding of artifacts mostly on loan or from personal donations of art patrons and supporters.
Despite its relative accessibility, the museum management still hopes that the people of Angeles City along with the academic and civil societies could muster enough support to popularize the interest in local culture and history.
The Museo Ning Angeles is open on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The museum also offers walk in tours for group visits and educational trips.
The author is accepting comments, suggestions, love notes, indignant rebuttals, hate mail and what-have-you: e-mail: ianocampoflora@yahoo.com (0927-542-5466).
