Manila | Philippine National Museum
Few months ago, I've been thinking to visit the Philippine National Museum, but due to schedule conflicts, I wasn't able to do that. But when I knew that the whole month of October is for free, I decided to schedule a visit the Philippine National Museum. Before the end of October 2014, which is the Museum Month, I finally made it - alone. Here's what I saw:
First part will the artifacts displayed at the second floor, the early discoveries of the underwater archeology. These artifacts were part of the early discoveries in the 16th Galleon - San Diego. San Diego was a 3-masted trading ship built in 1590 in Cebu by Basque, Chinese and Filipino shipbuilders. The ship used different kinds of Asian woods and was about 35-40 meters long, about 12 meters wide and 8 meters high. It has at least 4 decks and could hold about 700 tons of cargo. - details by the Philippine National Museum
The Philippine National Museum houses the hundred collections of porcelain jars, handcrafted by the Filipinos, Chinese and other Asia countries. These jars were primarily used in every day basis. Some were discovered in the caves of the Philippine archipelago, early trade galleons, and Chinese dynasties. The artistry of these jars symbolizes prosperity and elegance of the people in the past.
The Butuan Boat
During my elementary days, our teachers taught us that the word Baranggay (the smallest social unit in the Philippines) was derived from Balangay, which is also a type of an early boat. This Butuan Boat was excavated in 1978 by the archeologists and considered as the living proof that the Philippines was already part in the Regional Maritime activities in Asia. Three boats were discovered in the side and it is believed that this boat was built in 320, 1250 and 990 A.D. Pots and ceramics were also buried together with this ancient boat.
The Manunggul Jar
In Philippine history, one of the famous jars discovered in the country is the Manunggual Jar. Why famous? It is because the image of this jar can be seen on one side of the one thousand peso bill. This jar was discovered in Neolithic burial site in Manunggul Cave of Tabon Caves in Lipuun Point, Palawan. It was used as a coffin in a primitive way of burial in the Philippines.
Speaking of burial discoveries, the Philippine National Museum also houses a lot of burial jars and wood coffin, like the photo above. Just so you know, those skull like artifacts are earthenware handcrafted in older ways by the ancient Filipinos. These items were discovered in different parts of the country. In the middle is the wooden coffin discovered in the one of the caves in Banton, Romblon. More details, click here. These treasures are inside an enclosed cabinet for protection.
Speaking of the cultural heritage, this museum have the items from the south; like this Sarimanok and Kulintang. Even this generation, these musical instruments are still part of their cultural presentations, events and festival.
One of the highlights in the building is the Baybayin or the ancient and traditional scripts of the Philippines. A lot of artifacts, like books and jars were also displayed here for reference. After seeing these artifacts, I decided to have a tattoo with my initials written using these scripts. Hopefully by Whang Od in the Province of Kalinga. By the way, Whang Od is the oldest tattoo artist in the country, I think she's now 95 years old. I am also planning to visit the 3000 years old petroglyphs located in Angono, Rizal.
The Philippines is composed of more than 7,000 islands and with that factor, this country bears not only the heritage and archeological factors, but also the flora and the fauna. Like these preserved butterflies, bugs and other animals - a proof that we have everything.
Last part of my tour was these amazing artifacts. We call them as fossils where insects, leaves and other things were preserved for centuries and was discovered by the scientists. The details of each items were perfectly made by nature. For more photos, itinerary and stories, click here.
Aside from the gorgeous places in the country, I would suggest to visit the Philippine National Museum as it bears everything that has historical value from the past to present. Let's not forget these things because we can't reach this far without the past - lalim no?
Aside from the gorgeous places in the country, I would suggest to visit the Philippine National Museum as it bears everything that has historical value from the past to present. Let's not forget these things because we can't reach this far without the past - lalim no?
