National Heritage Month: National Museum

I wasn't able to take any decent levitation shots other than this because there were a lot of people.

Lately I've been hanging out at National Historical Commission of the Philippines. I know you'd be like, what the heck am I doing there when my course deals with numbers. Research *cough cough* studying, I mean. Because the main library at my uni is closed 'til June 8 and the National Library is under renovation. And I'm almost broke so I can't really spend every day at cafes.

May is National Heritage Month. AND National Museum is having FREE ADMISSION for the whole month of May! FREE! Regular rates for adults is P150 and P50 for students.

Anyway, since I was in the area studying my arse off and planning my last hangout with my friend for this school year because he's leaving for the province already (how unfair is that? TT_TT), we took advantage of the free admission.

It's my second time - the first one was last year - in National Museum (the building near Luneta not the one near the City Hall) and I must say, the way they handled their artifacts are much better than last year. I was so disappointed when I visited last year because you could like touch the artifacts and no cctv or personnel would reprimand you for doing so.

I've had this preconceived concept of museums and I guess I expected a lot from National Museum since it's "National" so it's supposed to be like the best (or the forefront) museum in the country where not only us Filipinos would learn about our country but foreigners who visit as well. 

And you could what? Touch hundred or thousand of years old artifacts just like that? - Sorry. Too much conviction about this topic.

 They also have this new exhibit up called Lantaka of War and Peace showcasing weapons just like the last picture!

PS. In the National Museum near Luneta, the air conditioning fails (bring fans if you want) and the elevator is so slow that I recommend you use the stairs instead. No need to worry about that in the National Museum near the city hall though :)

National Museum (near the city hall):

I find National Museum's doorknobs cool.

So much love for Fernando Amorsolo's sketches <3

I didn't really appreciate modern art. I just couldn't figure them out. I'm boggled.

The green room is my favorite. //Painting pictures are raws except for Spolarium

The thing I was looking forward to for this trip was definitely Juan Luna's works. I was not disappointed. I loved them! <3 <3 <3 I also tried a #followmeto pose but it was a fail so I'm not posting it here.

We toured both museum building for about 3 hours I think. I just wish there'd be tour guides who would explain the significance of paintings and artifacts though. I ended up telling my friend wrong facts. We ended up stalking a man who seemed knowledgeable about history because he was explaining to this girl about the paintings.

But, good job National Museum - you're definitely bringing Filipinos closer to their heritage!