This museum is owned by a former Doctor who has built this wonderful place to share his art…read morecollection. It's such a beautiful place. I've never seen anything like it before! Everything about this place is beautiful: the art, the buildings, the decor, the plants, etc. It is a very "instagram-able" worthy place. I can see why people come here to do engagement photo shoots and why they come dressed up as they model around the property. The buildings are white, Spanish style architecture that I would want to build a house like! It is absolutely beautiful. I wish this place was my own personal house. It's surrounded by such beautiful landscape which includes blooming bougainvilleas! They have cafe on site called Cafe Rizal, which is delicious. We went with the pizza and a couple of pasta dishes. Though they do have some Filipino options on the menu as well! The carbonara dish was tasty, and of course, a bit on the heavy side but that's expected with any creamy pasta dish. I highly recommend visiting this place. Anticipate spending at least 2 hours here. If you have any big bags, you will need to check it in front. There's a guard who watches all of your stuff and gives you a claim ticket.

My family and I always enjoy museums-- no matter if they're…read moremodern art or classic, natural history or science/tech; they're all good in their own way. We were finishing up a day trip in the Antipolo area and had to pass by the Pinto MODERN ART Museum. First thing I will say is this museum is NOT for senior citizens. It's a lot of stairs and awkward walking/spaces. My parents and Tias/Tios did not like that. Another negative would be the lack of air flow in the buildings. It was almost stifling in a lot of areas. And we all know that when the air is hot and sticky, the mosquitos come in droves. So even when you're walking around TRYING to appreciate the artwork, you become preoccupied with swatting the mosquitos trying to drain your blood. It was very annoying. Other than that, it's an interesting collection of MODERN art. Definitely NOT for everybody's taste. The architecture of the buildings were amazing though! We really enjoyed imagining the heyday of those houses/buildings. It can be a bit confusing navigating the different buildings; the museum definitely needs to update their signage. Especially during the dusk /evening hours, outdoor signage was greatly lacking and was frustrating many people who were trying to go towards the "exit" --and NOTE, this museum is majority an OUTDOOR/Open-air museum, with a LOT of stairs/steps; NOT good for people with mobility issues. :( The staff were friendly enough and somewhat polite; and for that, they get the 3stars. Otherwise it's an interesting experience and probably NOT for everyone. They do have an eatery on site for those who get hangry when they get lost in the maze. ;)

Artists all in the family - and such beautiful artworks too! I was amazed at the talent of this…read morefamily as I looked through their artworks in this museum. The parents and the children all paint! It began from the father, Jose Blanco, the son of a fisherman (his father) and a vendor (mother). And then each child began to paint, too. The father and children held group exhibits. The mother, Loring Blanco, happily, took up painting at age 48 herself. Each of them has their own style, though all of them depict scenes mostly in the Philippines, like festivals, farming, families, among others. It was here through the paintings that I learned Angono has its own St. Isidore Festival similar to Lucban's Pahiyas, with all the kiping. I was particularly amazed at the paintings of Peter Paul Blanco, who started young. At age 6, he already did an oil pastel painting with much shading and detail. And before that, his drawings are certainly beyond the usual stick figures kids draw.

If you've ever wanted to feel inadequate and wonder to yourself what you've been doing all these…read moreyears, a visit to the Blanco Family Museum will do exactly that. It's not because their art is full of despondency and despair, but because you get to see how incredibly talented the whole family is. Stepping inside the gallery means going in head first into the lives of each of the Blanco family members. Each painting comes with a corresponding note how young they were when they painted it. You'll see elaborate and meticulously done art pieces then upon closer inspection see that it was completed when one of them was seven years old. It's funny, astonishing, and sad at the same time. I can't even draw a decent stick figure for crying out loud. The best paintings for me are the ones by the patriarch, Jose "Pitok" Blanco. His pieces are riveting and give you a glimpse on what it was like to live in the Rizal province during his time.

Beautiful place perfect for students and adults to learn and unwind. I recommend for anyone to…read morecheck out with good photo opportunities and experience something new

Art in Island is a beautiful museum. Featuring an assortment of interactive art and an exhibition…read morearea, there is something for every age and every art lover. Some optical illusions of famous work, shadow walls, a state of the art 360 viewing room, and 3D pieces make this place a phenomenal way to spend a few hours. They have nursing rooms and a lovely cafe with indoor and outdoor seating. Oh yeah, wear sox or you will have to buy some; there are no shoes allowed.

One of my best friends grew up in Angono, Rizal, and she has always told me about this…read morearchaeological site that was discovered several years back in the nearby Binangonan town, which shares Angono's border. During one of their town fiestas, she took me up there to see it. Only roughly an hour away from Manila (and several minutes away from Antipolo) is the Binangonan Petroglyph site, which is a protected historical and cultural site. Apparently, the national authority for arts and culture have been testing the veracity and the authenticity of the site, but the marker from the National Museum must suggest that there has to be a certain level of credibility to the discovery Just a few minutes away from Angono's town proper, one would have to take a very steep mountain road to get to the developed uphill town near Thunderbird Resort and Casinos. Though the trail to the site itself is well-established, it is still recommended to wear your good hiking shoes because the dirt could be a little loose and rocky, especially during hot weather. There is a vast quarry that has a manmade, roughly hewn tunnel cutting through it which connects the highway to the other face of the mountain, where the Petroglyhs are located. With a minimal entrance fee, you will be able to see the Petroglyphs (stone drawings) which were apparently done by our cavemen ancestors hundreds of years ago, possibly even during the Neolithic age (broken vessels, remains and other artifacts were found in the site as well).The petroglyphs are known as the oldest form of folk art in the country. The said stone drawings featured tribal motifs for animals, humans and other natural objects, and they are etched to the faces of the rocks that jut out of the mountain. Some of the areas have been vandalized by people before the National Museum stepped in and built a barrier, restricting close access to the rocks. It is said that the cavemen who etched the designs onto the rocks are the ancestors of the people of Angono, who later on spurred an artistic Renaissance in the town, smaking it the Art Capital of the Philippines. Thankfully, preservation efforts have been done to keep the petroglyphs from being damaged by human activity and the elements. The site is also being petitioned to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.

What do you think would be the oldest artwork in the Philippines? Definitely not the oil paintings…read moreon canvas or stone sculptures, but paintings too, or rather etchings on rocks, of our indigenous ancestors, long before civilization as we we know it was created. The Binangonan-Angono Petroglyphs are rock drawings of what looks like human and animal figures. There are about 127 still-visible drawings on a huge rock shelter on the hills bordering Angono and Binangonan. To get there, my travel companions and I rode up a hill before coming to an entrance of what seems like a cave. The guards told us to pass by the tunnel to get to the petroglyphs on the other side. We just walked straight and when we emerged out of the tunnel, we saw a structure that seemed like a house but which actually holds replicas of artifacts like stones and plates of baybayin, the ancient Filipino writing system. And then we went up a stone then wooded walkway to get to the rock shelter with the cave drawings. They do look like the real thing, though I read in some accounts that it is not yet proven without a doubt that the artworks are indeed authentic. But in any case, they indeed look beautiful and ancient, with some etchings deeper and more visible than others.

Just from their city hall alone I could somehow tell why Angono is the art capital of the…read morePhilippines. They already have street art there, most striking of which to me are the statues of Malakas and Maganda coming out from split bamboos. As my travel companions and I walked around the poblacion area, we noticed street art on the walls and gates of houses. It was kind of unreal, seeing tricycles whiz by these artworks, which are so good they look like they belong in museums and galleries. But here they are on the streets, for everyone's enjoyment. There were the musical notes for the classic lullaby "Sa Ugoy ng Duyan," composed by National Artist Lucio San Pedro, there were works by National Artist Carlos "Botong" Francisco, there were the "Songs of the Brown Man," which depict different states of mind, being, and scenarios, like "Dedication," and "Articulate Madness." Even welcome signs - or rather, statues - were works of art.

After an exotic lunch at Balaw-Balaw, my travel companions and I crossed the other side of the…read morestreet for this gallery and cafe. The Atelier Museum and cafe has colorful papier-mâché sculptures, similar to the ones used in Angono's Higantes Festival. I like the multi-colored carabao head. Unlike Balaw-Balaw, the cafe here serves more regular Pinoy food fare like sinigang and caldereta. My travel companions ordered drinks while I walked around. To get to the Nemiranda Arthouse, you pass by an arched entrance to a courtyard, where a mermaid sculpture on another arched entrance leads to the gallery. Nemiranda is short for the full artist's name Nemesio Miranda, and he is well-known for "imaginative figurism" in his art and depiction of folklore and family, among other things. He is a leader in the art community, founding the Angono Culture and Art Council, Angono Atelier Art Association, and the Higante Makers and Sculptors' Society. Looking at his works, I saw Mariang Makiling, a woman giving birth, personas of the habagat and the amihan wind, and many more. There is also an exhibit of family members in another room. There are interesting details like the toilets, which are also works of art - you could see a sculpture of a naked Malakas for the males, and of Maganda for the females. In fact, the toilets are called "Malakas" and "Maganda" instead of "male" and "female."

The museum was wonderful, Mr. Nemiranda was very welcoming, and the food was delicious!read more

A trip down childhood memory lane is the perfect offering of Yexel Toy Museum. For the yuppies and…read morethose young-at-heart. Located inside a subdivision, the museum is quite confusing to find, but don't hesitate to ask a tricyle driver (yes, whenever I am in a small street and needs directions, I always ask a tricycle driver. They never failed me!) and they gave the directions already. Parking is not readily available so, be corteous enough to fellow motorists to park your car properly. Also, ask the house owner if you could park in front of their house. Proper decorum is a must, dear friends. Upon entering the house turned into a toy museum, you'd be envied on how the owner of the toy museum actually took care of their toys. Of course not everything in the toy museum was really the toys they played, but you would feel that sense of "I should have cared for my toys" guilt feel. Roaming around the building, you'd be amazed by the sheer number of toys the museum houses. The best part for me was seeing Optimus Prime and the overall drama of the place is that you feel you are in hanger of Optimus Prime. Yexel Toy Museum is still undergoing expansion but if you cant wait to see Baymax, Ranma 1/2, Batman, and other cartoon characters, then head to this place. It surely will make your weekend or weekday trip memorable.

Better known as the brother of late internet sensation, Jam Sebastian (God bless his soul), yet…read moreanother internet sensation turned toy savant, Yexel, has opened this toy haven for you geeks and geeks-to-be. What to see? Well everything that your geeky heart would desire?! From the various heroes and villains of the Marvel and DC universe, to Star Wars, to Middle Earth up to even the contemporary classics such as Game of Thrones, you'd surely get the goosebumps here, the geeky kind that is. One word of advice? Keep your kids and your geeky significant others on a short, tight leash. Need I to explain further?

Visited The Mind Museum and had a great time exploring. The museum is modern, well-organized, and…read morepacked with interactive exhibits that make science fun and easy to understand for all ages. One of the highlights was the human evolution section, with detailed life-size figures and displays that walk you through how humans developed over time. There are also engaging exhibits on biology, space, physics, and technology that keep you curious as you move from gallery to gallery. We especially enjoyed a mirror-style exhibit that visually displays two individuals into one reflection -- a creative and fun way to explore perception and how the mind interprets images. The space is clean, air-conditioned, and easy to navigate, and the staff were friendly and helpful. It's a great stop if you're in the BGC area and looking for something educational, interactive, and family-friendly. Highly recommended for kids, teens, and adults alike.

The Mind Museum was a fun kid-centered oasis in the midst of the hustle and bustle of BGC. There…read morewas so much to do and learn. This would be a wonderful place to conduct a field trip. We went on a weekday and the place was pretty empty. We spent about 2.5 hours there and probably could have spent a couple more. We definitely recommend people to the Mind Museum.