The National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the whole nation is in celebration of Museums and Galleries Month (MGM) this October, in accordance with Presidential Proclamation No. 798, signed in 1991 with an aim to highlight the significance of national consciousness and Filipino pride.
This year’s theme, “Honoring Traditions, Fostering Innovation” captures the balance between preserving the past and shaping the future. The celebration seeks to bridge the past, present, and future by embracing the country’s local traditions while fostering growth and progress within society. It aims to honor cultural heritage while encouraging societal evolution.
This October 2024, there are various exciting museum exhibits and events happening across the country in celebration of Museums and Galleries Month. It is a great chance to do museum hopping with the family and introduce kids to our vibrant past and simply engage in slow moments to appreciate culture and the arts. A lot of museums offer free admission so check the list below!
Related Read: Visiting Philippine Museums Gave Me Some of the Best Memories With My Children
1. The National Museum Complex
P. Burgos Drive, Rizal Park, Manila
inquiry@nationalmuseum.gov.ph
8298-1100
National Museum of the Philippines will host various activities throughout the month. The National Museum of the Philippines and their component museums have prepared a variety of activities for you to enjoy, so stay tuned for their weekly calendar postings on their official social media accounts.
The National Museum of the Philippines is open Tuesdays to Sundays, from 9 AM to 6 PM in Manila, and 9 AM to 5 PM at our regional component museums. Admission is free.
Plus, in celebration of Teachers' Month, free guided tours await teachers who will visit the National Museum Complex this 5 October, Saturday, from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM. Sign up here.
A. National Museum of Fine Arts
The National Museum of Fine Arts houses 29 galleries and hallway exhibits showcasing a rich collection of works from 19th-century Filipino masters, National Artists, and prominent modern painters, sculptors, and printmakers. Additionally, the museum features art pieces on loan from various government agencies, organizations, and private individuals.
Read Also: The National Museum of Natural History Is Child-Friendly! See Photos
B. National Museum of Anthropology
The National Museum of Anthropology showcases the Philippines' rich ethnographic heritage and both terrestrial and underwater archaeological collections. These artifacts tell the story of the nation's past, providing evidence of its pre-colonial history and cultural evolution.
C. National Museum of Natural History
The National Museum of Natural History features 12 permanent galleries that highlight the Philippines' vast biological and geological diversity. These exhibits present a thoughtfully arranged collection of botanical, zoological, and geological specimens, each representing the country's unique natural history. At the heart of the museum is the iconic "Tree of Life," a striking structure symbolizing the interconnectedness of the Philippines' diverse ecosystems, from towering mountain ridges to thriving coral reefs.
2. Manila Clock Tower Museum
4th Floor, Manila City Hall, Padre Burgos Ave, Ermita, Manila,
In line with the celebration of Museums and Galleries Month, the City of Manila proudly celebrates its recognition as a finalist for the 2024 ATOP Pearl Awards under the category Best Institutionalized Culture and the Arts Program entitled the 'Golden Icon: Manila Clock Tower and Museum.’
Admission fee: P100 for 12 years old and below is 50% off; PWDs, Senior: free;
Students from Manila schools that have an official educational field trip are free
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3. The Art District
Room 205 Calvo Building Escolta St. Binondo Manila
tadgalleryph@gmail.com
The Art District is a contemporary art gallery in Escolta. Catch “Human Made” until October 12, 2024. Gallery hours are from Mondays through Saturdays, 10 AMto 6 PM. (Closed on Sundays)
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4. Casa Manila Museum
Plaza San Luis Complex, General Luna cor. Real Sts., Intramuros, Manila
Step back in time and experience the stories that shaped our nation's history! Casa Manila is a lifestyle museum featuring the domestic life of 19th Century upper-class families in Manila. It is open Tuesdays to Sundays, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Admission Fees: PHP 75 (Regular rate), PHP 50 (Discounted rate). Discounted rate is for children below 18, senior citizens, students, persons with disabilities, and government employees. Please bring valid ID.
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5. Bahay Tsinoy Museum
32 Anda corner Cabildo St., Intramuros, Manila, Philippines
info@bahaytsinoy.org
See their Gallery of Rare Prints and Photographs (scenes depicting old Chinese occupations, streets of Binondo, prints on turn of the century Chinese life) and Ching Ban Lee Ceramics Gallery (tangible artifacts testament to centuries of trade between our two countries) Call 8527-6083 to arrange for group tours of 30 or more pax.
Museum Hours: Tuesday to Sundays, 10 AM to 5 PM
Admission fees: P100 for adults; P60 for students
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6. Museo ng Muntinlupa
Centennial Avenue, Barangay Tunasan, Muntinlupa City,
Museo ng Muntinlupa serves as a cultural and educational hub dedicated to showcasing and preserving the history, heritage, and culture of the people of Muntinlupa for future generations. As the city's main museum, it is committed to acquiring, conserving, researching, and exhibiting both the tangible and intangible heritage of Muntinlupa and its surroundings. Through its various research projects, exhibitions, public programs, and even merchandise, the museum plays a key role in promoting and safeguarding the city's rich cultural legacy.
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Admission is free.
7. Museo Pambata (Children's Museum)
Roxas Boulevard cor. South Drive, Ermita, Manila
Museo Pambata is an interactive children's museum, the first of its kind in the Philippines. It offers an engaging alternative to the traditional classroom setting by sparking curiosity, fostering creativity, and making learning enjoyable for kids. Through hands-on exhibits, programs, and events, the museum inspires Filipino children to explore and learn by experience, while also encouraging them to become active participants in nation-building. The museum aims to show that education can be both fun and exciting, reigniting the joy of discovery in young learners.
Museo Pambata is open from Friday to Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM (Friday is Open House | Saturdays and Sundays are for Playshop: Arts, Crafts & Storytelling)
Admission Fees: Friday PHP300; Saturday and Sunday PHP450 (Children 2 and younger can enter free of charge)
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8. The Mind Museum
JY Campos Park, 3rd Avenue Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
inquiry@themindmuseum.org
7796-0189
The Mind Museum offers a dynamic exhibition featuring over 250 interactive displays that weave together five interconnected scientific narratives. These exhibits cover a wide range of topics, from the microscopic to the cosmic, providing a comprehensive exploration of nature at all scales. The museum's experience extends beyond its indoor galleries, with additional exploration available in the outdoor Science-in-the-Park and a Botanical Garden, which serve as spaces for further educational activities and immersive learning.
The museum is open Tuesdays to Sundays from 9 AM to 6 PM.
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Admission fees: All day pass P750; three hour time limit is P625; private school students P550, public school students P230. Guests are encouraged to book in advance. Book tickets here.
9. Metropolitan Museum of Manila
MK Tan Centre, 30th Street corner 9th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
The museum is open Tuesdays to Saturdays, except during public holidays and other special notices. Guests should be on time and no-shows will have to register again if they want to reschedule their visit. Museum opens 11 AM from Tuesday to Friday and 10 AM on Saturday and Sunday. Museum closes at 6 PM.
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Admission Fees: All access student pass P275, Senior Citizen/Pwd P440; All access pass P550. Children 4 years old and below are free to enter the museum. Book your ticket here.
10. Menarco Vertical Museum
32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Introduced in 2023, the Menarco Vertical Museum, showcases 39 artworks by Filipino contemporary artists. These pieces are thoughtfully displayed across communal areas on all 32 floors of the Menarco Tower, offering a unique fusion of art and architecture in a corporate setting. Carmen Jimenez-Ong, founder and CEO of Menarco Development, dedicated seven years of hard work and passion to bring this unique museum to life. Her tireless efforts have resulted in a one-of-a-kind cultural space that showcases contemporary Filipino art across the 32 floors of Menarco Tower.
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The duration of the guided tour will be 45 minutes to one hour. Admission is free, but you must book your slot in advance. Book it here.
11. Ayala Museum
Makati Avenue corner De la Rosa Street, Greenbelt Park, Makati City
Ayala Museum is offering free admission to teachers, librarians, and museum workers, as well as a free plus one when they purchase a Library Day or Research Pass, until October 12, 2024. This special offer provides a valuable chance to explore their rich exhibits on Philippine culture and history, making it a perfect time to engage with the museum’s educational resources. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10 AM to 6 PM.
Admission Fees: Regular (All exhibitions) is PHP 750; Discounted (All exhibitions) (applies to kids 12 years old and younger) is PHP 450.
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12. Yuchengco Museum
RCBC Plaza, Corner Ayala and Senator Gil J. Puyat Avenues Makati City
8889-1234
The Yuchengco Museum, which opened in September 2005, aims to cultivate a deeper public appreciation for art through a variety of exhibitions and programs that highlight both international and local cultural, historical, and design works. Situated in Makati, the museum serves not only as a space to showcase artistic masterpieces but also as a platform for discussion, education, and cultural exchange. Regular museum hours is from Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 6 PM. (Guest parking is available at the Basements 5 and 6 of RCBC Plaza. Parking fee is PHP 60 for the first two hours.)
Admission fees: Adult rate is P200; students, PWDs and senior citizens rate is P100.
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13. Ateneo Art Gallery
Soledad V Pangilinan Arts Wing, Areté, Ateneo de Manila University
Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City
In celebration of Museums and Galleries Month this October, the Ateneo Art Gallery (AAG) is hosting Free Special Guided Tours of "A Synergy of Ventures: The Postwar Art Scene" on all Saturdays of October from 2 PM to 3 PM, and special Sunday schedules on October 6 and 20!
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Admission Fees: P100 per head for non-Ateneo guests. P50 for students with a valid school ID. Payments will be transacted upon entry. For Ateneo alumni, an Ateneo Alumni Association (AAA) membership card may be presented to avail of free admission.
Guided tours may be availed with a fee. For tour requests, send an email to aag@ateneo.edu at least one (1) week before the scheduled visit.
Museum schedule: Monday to Saturday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Walk ins are allowed.
14. Museo ni Jose Rizal
J. P. Rizal St., Cor. F. Mercado St., Brgy. 6 Poblacion, Calamba City, Laguna
(049) 834 1599
Next to Rizal Shrine, The Museo ni Jose Rizal Calamba features six galleries that showcase key aspects of Rizal's life, including his early education, international travels, and nationalist work in Europe. The museum boasts a notable collection of his memorabilia, including a hologram of Rizal reading a letter to his Austrian friend, Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt. It also offers various interactive booths and terminals that provide insights into Rizal’s life and times. Additionally, the museum houses an e-learning room designed for online history lessons, enhancing the educational experience for visitors.
Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 9 AM to 4 PM.
Admission fee is free.
Enjoy museum hopping parents and kids! Thinking of other 'sulit pasyalan'? Click here.
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