Marikina Shoe Museum

This is part of my Ang Buwan ng mga Museo

As a person who loves Imelda Marcos and the history, visiting the famous Marikina Shoe Museum is a dream come true and highly recommended; since it's one of the programs that allow the public to see the elegance of the past. This museum is situated just few steps from Marikina Church and the Metro. But sadly, that day we were only two in the museum, me and a girl from New Zealand. One of the reasons maybe because it was a rainy? I don't know, I am just hoping that in the future, many Filipinos  will appreciate what's in the museums. See the photos below taken in the museum.

Pair of shoes, from the former President Ferdinand Marcos

The museum also has the collection of shoes donated by some influential people; from politics and entertainment industry.  Like former Presidents Manuel Roxas and Ferdinand Marcos; Senators Loren Legarda, Meriam Defensor Santiago, Jose de Venecia, Bong Bong Marcos; Comedy King FPJ, Christine Reyes, Lisa Macuja Elizalde, and many more.

It is said that a lot of shoes in these collections were specially handcrafted by the shoe makers from Marikina and were given to the former first lady, as a gift. Like the photo above, showing the signature of the former first lady Imelda Marcos, everything seems to be special. Because the idea, designs and effort of the shoe makers were exerted just to please the imeldific taste of the first lady.

State dinners, state visits, press conferences and other gatherings - these shoes were worn by Imelda and serve as the silent witness happened during her time.

The designs and details of the shoes in Imelda's collection are really glamorous. The quality of the leather, beads and stones decorated on each piece is in the high standards.

Imeldific - that word was created and was being place to the vocabulary, which means beauty and elegance, which pertains to the Imelda Marcos herself. At the second floor, there's a huge painting; I tried checking on the details, however I wasn't able to get the painters info and the year, or maybe I already forgot. Imelda is still young on this portrait and if that's the case, maybe it was painted few decades ago. Agree? So meaning, I am not born yet. Medyo 20-ish palang kasi ako eh.

In every corner of the museum, you'll see paintings and photographs which were captured few decades ago. Some photos were actually taken from a mansions and palaces in different parts of the world. Main subject is the former President Ferdinand Marcos with the first lady, together with some worlds powerful individuals.

Inside the museum, you'll see the wood cabinets which are covered with clear glass. Each divider contains pair of shoes which are stunning, the color and the materials were properly selected by the maker to be paired to the first lady's terno. 

Photo above shows how the shoe makers use their hands to create a new footwear. Sawing machines, cutters and leathers are always part of the tools on the makers table. After Marikina Shoe Museum, I proceeded to the Philippine National Museum in Manila. More photos and info, click here. To see more photos and my stories in this travel, click here.

HOW TO GET HERE:
From Cubao Aurora, ride a jeepney bound for Cogeo or Padilla. Alight at Robinsons Metro East. Walk on the footbridge crossing Sumulong Highway. Few meters from the footbridge, take a ride in a tricycle going to Marikina Shoe Museum. Approximately 10 minutes travel.

Manila | Philippine National Museum

This is part of my Ang Buwan ng mga Museo

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?

Oktubre - Ang Buwan ng mga Museo

Hindi lang kalikasan ang kadalasan kong sinasadya sa isang lugar, nasa interes ko rin ang kahalagahan ng ating nakaraan. Matagal ko nang pangarap malibot ang iba’t-ibang museo sa Pilipinas, kahit sa Metro Manila, okay lang eh, subalit dahil sa maraming hindi inaasahang pagkakataon, hindi ito natutuloy.

Ibahin natin ang araw na ito – sa kasamaang palad, nag-palit kaming rest days, from Friday and Saturday, naging Tuesday and Wednesday ito. Wala akong choice dahil trabaho ito. At dahil dun, nabawasan ang pamumundok ko, pero mas nagbukas naman ang historical sites at museum.

Wednesday, October 29, 2014 – nagkatotoo ang matagal ko ng pangarap – ang mapasok ang National Museum. Pero bago yan, Marikina Shoe Museum muna ako. Nakatira ako sa Cainta, Rizal kaya konting kembot lang, nasa Marikina na ako. Along Sumulong highway, in front of Robinsons Metro East, sa may footbridge, sumakay akong tricycle patungong Marikina Shoe Museum. Habang nasa byahe, biglang buhos ng ulan, buti nalang prepared ako sa ganung sitwasyon, iba na ang girls scout. Ang pamasahe ay 25 pesos lang hanggang sa may pintuan na mismo ng Museo. Wala pang sampung minute ang byahe ko. Bilis no?

Pagkababa ng traysikel, dumiretso sa entrance, nag-register at nagbayad ng 50 pesos. At dun nabusog ang mata ko sa walang katapusang sapatos. Ang bawat pares ng mga sapatos ay nakalagay sa mga eskaparate. May mga panlalaki at pambabae. Pati ang mga tradisyunal na sapin sa paa sa iba’t-ibang panig ng mundo ay mayroon din.

Ang mga sumunod naman ay ang mga pares ng mga sapatos na dating pag-aari ng mga sikat na artista at TV personalities. Katulad nalang ng sapatos ni King of Comedy Dolphy, Christine Reyes, Rhea Santos, Lisa Macuja at marami pang iba. Hindi rin mawawala ang mga sapatos ng mga taong nasa politika, katulad nina Former Presidents Manuel Roxas at Ferdinand Marcos; Vice President Noli de Castro; Senators Meriam Defensor Santiago, Loren Legarda, Bongbong Marcos, Jose De Venecia at marami pang iba. Lahat ng mga sapatos na ito'y ibinahagi ng mga naturang personalidad para sa ikagaganda ng Museo.

At syempre syempre syempre, mawawala ba ang pares ng mga sapatos ng aking idol na si Madam Imelda Marcos? Syempre hindi! Dito lang naman matatagpuan ang 800 sa kanyang 3,000 na koleksyon na pares ng kanyang sapatos. More photos and information, click here.

Mahigit isang oras din akong umarte, nag-lakad at nag-emote sa loob ng Marikina Shoe Museum. Nakalulungkot lang isiping sa araw na iyun dalawa lang kaming pumasok sa Museo. Isang taga New Zeland at ako. Syempre maliban dun sa mga empleyado ng museo. Ang susunod na destinasyon ay Philippine National Museum.

Sa harap ng Shoe Museum, sumakay ako sa jeep patungong Pasig/Rosario at bumaba sa Ligaya. Minimum fare lang ang pamasahe. Isang eksena pala ang hindi ko makalimutan habang nasa jeep. Ako: kuya dadaan tong Ligaya? Driver: Oo sir. Ako: Magkano ho sa Ligaya? Driver: Mura lang sir, 8.50 pesos lang. Ako: Buti pa dito, ang mura lang nang Ligaya. Driver: Bakit sa inyo sir, umaabot ba ng 250 pesos? Hahaha. natawa akong bigla sa sagot nya. Double meaning pa naman ang nasa isip ko. hahaha. Si kuya parang may alam sa kalakaran ah? Hahaha.

 Pagkababa sa Ligaya, sumakay akong muli sa jeep patungong LRT 2 Terminal. Sumakay akong LRT patungong Recto, tumawid sa LRT Line 1, Doroteo Jose Station. Sumakay muli sa LRT 2 at bumaba sa Estasyon ng United Nations. Lumakad ng ilang metro patungo sa Entrance ng Philippine National Museum. Ngayong buwan ng Oktubre, libre ang entrance fee, kaya malaking katipiran ito para sakin. More photos and information, click here.

Napakalapad ng Pambansang Museo, malinis at puno ng mga CCTVs para sa siguridad ng buong gusali. Lahat ng mga bagay sa loob at talagang kahanga-hanga at talagang kumuha ng aking atensyon. Mag-mula sa katubigan, kalupaan, kabundukan at maging mga personal na koleksyun. Ang bawat bagay ay talagang pinaghirapan ng mga archeologists na maipreserba para sa hinaharap.

Ngunit sa panahon ngayon, napapansin kong mas nagiging moderno na ang pamumuhay, at habang tumatagal mas lalong nawawala ang ganitong klaseng mga programa. Kung saan pa nauuso ang mga social networking sites, saka naman nababawasan ang mga nagpapahalaga dito. Bakit ko ito nasabi? Bago pumasok ng museo may nakapaskil na mga regulasyon, kasama na dito ang hindi pagkuha ng larawan na naka-ON ang flash ng camera. Subalit ilang beses akong nakakita ng mga estudyanteng kumukuha parin ng litrato na may flash. Ipinagbabawal talaga yun sa lahat ng mga museo na may mga lumang koleksyon dahil maaaring masira ang mga ito at mabawasan ang kalidad at halaga nito. At kung sa gayun, para narin nating

Isa pa sa mga regulasyon ang "Bawal Hawakan, Huwag Upuan" ang mga bagay sa loob ng museo, subalit hindi parin ito masunod ng mga dumadalaw dito. Sa totoo lang, nagagalit talaga ako dahil English Tagalog ang regulasyon, bakit hindi ito masunod-sunod? Nakakatuwang makita ang isang pamilyang sama-samang naglilibot sa loob ng museo; ang hindi ko lang maintindihan ay kung bakit maraming mga magulang na hinahayaan ang kanilang mga anak na mag-laro sa loob (playground lang ang peg?) at kung anu-ano ang mga kinakalikot na maaaring mag-resulta sa pagkasira ng mga koleksyon. Diba, mas magandang hubugin ang mga bata sa tamang paraan para paglaki nila, alam nila kung anu ang tama at hindi tamang gawin sa loob ng museo? Sa aking pananaw, hindi naman nagkukulang ang pamunuan ng museo dahil ginagawa nila ang lahat para mapangalagaan ang mga koleksyon; ngunit kung hindi natin sila tutulungan sa pag-preserba ng mga ito, darating ang panahong hangang sa larawan nalang natin sila makikita. Sana po ay matuto tayo sa pagkakamali ng iba - at wag nating gawing tama ang mali. Maraming salamat po at Magandang araw. Kung gusto nyong makita ang ibang mga larawan at impormasyon, maaari ninyong i-click ang mga dilaw na mga salita.

Ilang oras din akong nasa loob ng gusaling iyun, subalit hindi ko parin nalibot lahat.  Kaya kung kayo ay nagbabalak gumala at pumunta sa lugar na ito, kailangang 10AM nasa building na kayo, kasabay nyo ang pagbubukas ng gusali. Sayang hindi ko napuntahan ang mga paintings sa kabila. Sana po ay natuwa kayo sa mga picture at isturya ko for today.