CURIOUS of what’s inside the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP)-Cebu, which was inaugurated on Friday, July 28, 2023?
In this article are some facts about the museum, which has been considered the first NMP in Cebu.
OPENING DATE
The museum will be opened to the public on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
It is open from Tuesdays to Sundays, (except on religious holidays).
Admission is free.
WHERE IS IT LOCATED?
NMP-Cebu is located at the Malacañan sa Sugbo building on A. Pigafetta St., Cebu City.
The museum holds meticulously curated five galleries that showcase the rich history of Cebuano heritage and culture.
1. Kinaiyahan: Cebu’s Natural Wonders
This gallery showcases the geological, botanical and zoological “wonders” of Cebu. It highlights the Cebu Tamaraw, a species of the now extinct dwarf water buffalo.
The second gallery exhibits significant archeological finds from San Remigio, Plaza Independecia and Boljoon. These will help people know and understand what happened during the prehistoric era in Cebu and the Philippines.
The “gold death mask,” which was excavated in Plaza Independencia, can be found inside this gallery.
The rich maritime history involving the Galleon Strait and Cebu can be found inside the third gallery labeled as “Paglawig: Cultural Movement Across the Seas.”
Other materials featured are those retrieved from shipwrecks.
4. Philippine Center New York (PCNY) Core Collection of 1970
This gallery can be found on the second floor of the museum. It exhibits paintings that draw inspiration from modern and contemporary art style.
Also featured here for six months are 92 artworks from the Philippine Center New York. The items were curated from the 1970s.
About 48 Filipino male artists have been featured in this collection, while works of two female artists have been included in the gallery.
Female artists Lilian Hwang label her artworks as "calligrams," which define geometric patterns painted in green, blue, and yellow, while Norma Belleza, who studied fine arts at the University of Santo Tomas (UST), showcases women vendors and potters in her colorful paintings.
5. Ang Kamamugnaon ug Kinaadman ni Maestro Tinong
The artworks of Martino “Noy Tinong” Abellana from Carcar City who has been known as the "Dean of Cebuano Painters" complete the museum’s five galleries.
This exhibit aims to put Martino's works in the limelight in the hopes of making him a national artist, said Masi Cabañes, information officer of the NPM-Cebu.
GUIDELINES FOR VISITORS
The management of the museum reminded all walk-in visitors to follow strict guidelines once the building is opened to the public on August 1, 2023.
Among the guidelines are:
* Visitors should be well-dressed
* No food is allowed inside the galleries
* No camera flash is allowed when taking pictures because the artworks are sensitive to light
* Touching the artworks is not allowed
* No huge bags allowed inside
Lawyer Ma. Cecilia Tirol, director of the Visayas Museums, said more exhibitions will be opened at the museum in order to connect to more audiences.
The management is also refining the guidelines for those who plan to have a party and special events inside the museum.
A café that will offer snacks and refreshments will also be established inside the museum. (Erica Abella, CNU intern/LMY)