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.

I first found out about the School of Design and Arts' Museum of Contemporary Art and Design when I…read moregot lost while looking for the bathroom. I opened the wrong door and - voila! - there's a naked dude pretending to be a statue (not naked naked, he had a sort of a tea cozy on his equipment because this was still a Catholic school), among other exhibitions. I learned that day that the College of Saint Benilde had its own museum, and that the exhibits were mostly occupied by the students of the School of Design and Arts, as well as the occassional famous person. I thought it was really cool, and I ended up getting a selfie with the naked dude statue because why the hell not.

MCAD is a really beautiful space for art. I'm not sure the students at Benilde, La Salle, and St…read more Scho know how lucky they are to be in such close proximity to a gallery that, though still pretty young, manages to hold beautiful, interesting exhibits of artists from all over. The last show I've seen was the one-man exhibit of Paul Pfeiffer, entitled Vitruvian Figure, and there has not been a better use of MCAD's hugeness in a while. Recreations of the Philippine arena, a moving image of a sunrise/sunset, and a dark theater screening of a spoken word choir performance echoing the video installations outside really drove the point home of how greatly the museum space elevates the art housed within it. What's great too is that they involve the CSB student body by giving some the opportunity to be mediators and engage visitors by speaking about the works and answering questions about them. It's a pretty cool thing, as it allows people to have a more personal exchange with the works there. I'm glad they've gotten their own entrance along one of the side roads now. Though I fear for the open shelving they have as their bag deposit, it does open the museum a little more to the public. MCAD brims with so much possibility and I look forward to my next visit.

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.

Spending an afternoon at the National Museum of the Philippines turned out to be one of the most…read morefascinating ways I could have learned more about my husband's country of birth. And honestly, I was not fully prepared for just how vast and layered Philippine history actually is. The National Museum complex is enormous and covers multiple museums and collections ranging from natural history, anthropology, archaeology, fine arts, indigenous cultures, colonial history, biodiversity, and the many different regions and peoples that make up the Philippines. Walking through the exhibits, you quickly realize the Philippines is not just "one culture," but a massive tapestry of languages, traditions, histories, and influences shaped by centuries of trade, migration, colonization, resistance, and survival. One of the most famous highlights inside the museum system is Juan Luna's *Spoliarium*, an enormous and emotionally powerful painting considered one of the greatest treasures of Filipino art and nationalism. Even tourists unfamiliar with Philippine history usually stop in awe when they see the sheer scale of it in person. Outside the museum, I was especially fascinated by the massive "Tree of Life" structure inside the National Museum of Natural History. It stretches dramatically upward through the center of the building and symbolizes the incredible biodiversity and interconnected ecosystems found throughout the Philippine islands. It is honestly one of the most visually striking museum interiors I've seen anywhere. Now, fair warning: If you visit during school hours, prepare yourself for children. Children everywhere. Apparently Filipino schools absolutely love bringing students here for field trips, and during our visit there were enormous groups of excited students moving through nearly every section of the museum. Honestly though, it was actually kind of heartwarming seeing so many kids actively engaged and learning about their own country's history. The museum itself is very large, and once you start walking, you are going to be walking quite awhile. One small complaint I did have was the lack of seating areas throughout some sections. At a certain point my husband and I found ourselves quietly scanning corners for open benches like exhausted archaeological explorers searching for buried treasure. Still, the experience was absolutely worth it. I loved wandering through the exhibits with my husband, listening to him explain little pieces of Filipino culture and history to me while I absorbed it all through fresh eyes. It felt less like simply visiting a museum and more like gaining a deeper understanding of a country and people I have grown to love deeply myself. The Philippines truly is a beautiful country -- not just in scenery, but in history, resilience, culture, and spirit. And this museum does a wonderful job reminding visitors of that.

During our travels in the Philippines, we made the most of our time visiting the cultural gems…read moreManila has to offer with the National Museum being one of them. My non-Filipino husband was interested in learning about my heritage which inspired my cousin to put together a day trip to the museum. The National Museum is comprised of multiple buildings which are: *The National Museum of Fine Arts *The National Museum of Anthropology *The National Museum of Natural History All are within the same compound but if you plan to visit all 3 buildings be prepared to wear comfortable shoes fit for a day's worth of walking. I also recommend bringing a bottle of water if you can. The museums are free to the public and we managed to visit two out of the three buildings (Fine Arts and Anthropology). We briefly visited the Fine Arts building and were impressed by the massive murals steps within entering. The most moving and impressive works come from one of the country's renowned painters, Juan Luna. His masterpiece, Spoilarium, is one not to miss. It was also interesting to read up on his life which oddly had a dark and ill-fated twist. The Anthropology building has fascinating curated material with discovered relics spanning the country. Some of the oldest material on exhibit dates from 5 BC. Currently artifacts continue to be uncovered/donated and the collection perpetually grows. Overall, the Anthropology museum was our favorite. We left very impressed with the exhibits. Aside from the common touristy things to do, don't discount the National Museum. The information and history behind each piece will leave you culturally enriched.

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. ;)

I came here the day after I visited the Intramuros area of Manila. I wanted to further my lessons…read morein my own culture, but this time through art history and to get a view of the native people before the Spanish colonized and influenced the culture. I actually haphazardly ran into this museum a few days before just roaming through an upscale mall. It is very modern in location and in design. It is its own building on one of the corners of the mall complex, so it has its own entrance, don't have to go inside the mall itself. P750 admission for general and sure there is discount for seniors and students. That general price is like $14 US. The layout here is vertical versus just 1-2 floors. Here there are 4 floors and you start at the top and work your way down. We did this in 3 hours but one could easily be in here for 4-5 hours, if you read everything and put on headphones. Top floor was mostly a 'gold' exhibit depicting that these islands were a source for gold and thus became part of trade route for the seafaring people (Austronesians) that roamed the areas from mainland Asia to all the islands in Polynesia to Madagascar and the western coast of Africa. So within all this traveling you can see how so many influences can evolve culture from art to technology to language. These travel savvy people thrived from even 4000 years ago to about the 17th century when colonialism started to form modern countries. There was also a section on the clothing many tribes had during these times. Like these are the people who the Spanish fleet met upon arriving. 3rd floor was an art gallery but for Filipino artist mostly from the 1800s to the mid 1900s. Most of the exhibit showcase Fernando Amorsolo who was granted a national award for his depiction of rural life in the early 1900s. I was incredibly moved by this exhibit, as with just brush strokes he was able to capture a whole moment, that seems so everyday yet so symbolic of the culture. Some were more impressionist like where up close it just seems more abstract, but the further you get a clearer picture emerges. And he was also able to do some realistic portraits where it seemed like I could talk to the image. Lol. I think there is a lesser admission fee if you only wanted to view this floor only. 2nd floor is more like a history museum chronicling the timeline on when and how the Spanish came to colonize the islands, and how the country eventually claimed its independence in 1898. Very enriching experience for me and glad some of my family were willing to view it with me. 5 soul quenching stars!

Lovely museum about Philippines history! A good introduction of the country's struggles against…read morecolonialism- the Spaniards and the Americans, the persecution of Chinese immigrants. Very somber. A good overview.

This is the very popular painting of filipino painter Sir Juan Luna. It describes slavery that…read moreshows in this art of his...ok

My trip to the Philippines wouldn't have been complete without visiting Intramuros…read more We took a rideshare and our driver dropped us off on Soriano Ave & General Luna St. As soon as we got out of the vehicle, a tour guide approached us. He had one of those pictorial cards and pointed to the photos of where his stops would be. His tour price was reasonable. We signed up with him right on the spot. It was half walking and half riding around in an e-cart. He was a seasoned tour guide and knew his way around Intramuros. The e-cart driver was a safe driver too. We stopped by top destinations like Fort Santiago, San Agustin Church, and Baluarte de San Diego. I'm glad there were interpretive signs at each spot. We saw some kalesas too. Our guide was accommodating and flexible with our time. He also directed us to restrooms as needed. It was a good private tour. Right place, right time. We took a lot of photos. We were able to pay him in cash money Philippine Pesos after the tour ended. Something to think about when touring Intramuros is that it gets pretty hot. I would recommend bringing a handheld electric fan and/or an electric neck fan, a power bank to charge electronics, a UV umbrella, water and snacks. Wear good shoes, light clothes, and put on sunscreen as well. If it's your first time Intramuros, there is a lot to absorb. You can always return and explore on your own, at your own pace once you know the lay of the land. Intramuros was a good place to visit for Philippine history, culture, and architecture.

Considering I was stationed @ Clark AFB for about 5 years and having been back numerous times over…read morethe years I had driven by but never stopped. Considering this maybe my last time to make this (omg so long trip) vacation spot. So we went to various places I had never been before, this area is adjacent to Ft Santiago and has some "hawkers" but not really too many (try going to Draculas castle they have people selling stuff from the parking lot to the castle door) they have a few things that are the usual tourist kitch but you can usually get some fridge magnet or straw hat etc but the area is absolutely gorgeous and very little if any entrance fees. The church is absolutely stupendous. I have been to many magnificent cathedrals form Italy to England to Japan & now the Philippines. Truly an amazing area to spend 1/2 a day and to understand philippine history. A great place overall.

₽100 per person for the entrance fee which hats must be taken off. The museum opens at 10am and I…read moregave myself about an 1.5 hours to view the exhibits. You can take photos of the art without flash except the rococo painting by the restrooms. On Tuesday's it's there is no cost to enter.

Nice little museum, thought provoking and a window to the socio economic and political climate of…read morethe Philippines over the past few decades. More importantly a very profound picture of the Filipino psyche in regards to government, church, religion and general everyday life. If you visit Manila, do not pass here without going in for a couple of hours.

"...because nerds like us are allowed to be unironically enthusiastic about stuff... Nerds are…read moreallowed to love stuff, like jump-up-and-down-in-the-chair-can't-control-yourself love it. When people call people nerds, mostly what they're saying is 'you like stuff.' Which is just not a good insult at all. Like, 'you are too enthusiastic about the miracle of human consciousness'." -John Green I'm a nerd, plain and simple. And it sucks that there isn't a lot of support or a definite community for people like me in the Philippines. Finding a Doctor Who fan in this country is like trying to find a Dingdong Dantes fan in Africa. And my heart breaks every year that I don't get to go to the San Diego Comic Con. So when I found out that there's such a thing as a toy museum in Manila, I jumped at the chance to see what's inside. I basically dragged my girlfriend over to Manila Ocean Park and ogled the rather small but still awesome collection for hours. Stormtroopers! The Fellowship! The Iron Throne! Smeagol! They're all here! Remember that scene in This is the End when they're in heaven and they're told that they can wish for anything, and they wished for a Backstreet Boys reunion? I'd wish to be surrounded by these toys (ehem, action figures) and maybe that Backstreet Boys reunion too.

If you're a fan of comic book superheroes, the Star Wars franchise, and the epic fantasy adventure…read moreLord of the Rings, this museum is for you. The Amazing Stories of Yexel's Museum features life-sized interpretations of various superheroes and fantasy characters. My favorite part of the collection is the Iron Man Room that is a replica of Tony Stark's "walk-in closet". The Tony Stark groupie in me puked rainbows when I realized that I'm surrounded by different powered armors (general purpose and specialized!). There's also an autographed replica of the Arc Reactor. Too much awesomeness in one room, I tell you! The Star Wars collection is another favorite of mine. A room filled with Stormtroopers awaiting Darth Vader's orders-- one can almost hear the Imperial March, not to mention Darth Vader's raspy breathing! I hope they add some members of the Rebel Alliance to the collection though. A life-sized Chewbacca, or even Yoda, would be perfection.