This May as the Philippines celebrates National Heritage Month, Museo de Intramuros in Manila finally opens its doors to the public.

This new three-story museum is located in two significant reconstructions inside the walled city, namely: the San Ignacio church and the Mission House of the Society of Jesus. The museum is managed by the Intramuros Administration (IA) and it is designed to house the period art collections of IA that includes ecclesiastical art, furniture, vestments, and textiles and other artifacts. The museum’s opening also marks the 40th-anniversary celebration of the Intramuros Administration.

Image retrieved from Inquirer

The museum exhibition is composed of six parts: (1) The Immaculate Conception, (2) The Religious Order, (3) The Patronato Real and the establishment of Parishes, (4) Religious Colonial Paintings, (5) The establishment of a parish and sacred vessels, and (6) The Indio Response. This collection was curated by Dr. Esperanza Gatbonton, Gino Gonzales, Dr. Cecilia dela Paz, Santiago Pilar, and Martin Tinio.

Dr. Gatbonton wrote in the Philippine Religious Imagery book, “[t]his collection of the Intramuros Administration is extremely valuable because it represents the first real attempt to collect and preserve within the Philippines an important aspect of the country’s cultural heritage.”

Dr. Gatbonton also adds, “[t]he collection affords the viewer a panorama of the various styles and enables him to compare them with the artifacts done abroad in the same medium. We, Filipinos, have always tended to accept that we were the passive receiver of artistic stimuli from abroad. This collection proves that the Philippines was as much a giver.”

Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat from the Department of Tourism (DoT) was present during the museum’s opening last April 29. She is hopeful the museum will give the public a deeper appreciation of Philippine arts, culture, and heritage. 

She says, “Intramuros is a powerful space, one that holds personal memories and one that has shaped our collective memory as a nation. This is our history and it must be told. Here, local and international tourists have the avenue to hear our stories when they visit Museo de Intramuros. They may also learn that exploring the walled city is not only a way to traverse our history, but also a glimpse into our creative past and its potential for the future.”

Museo de Intramuros opened last May 2, 2019, and admissions will be free for the next six months. Currently, Museo de Intramuros will be open from Tuesdays to Fridays, from 9 AM to 5 PM until further notice.

Art and Interior Design

Having art pieces in your home is quickly being recognized as an essential component of any modern home. Showcasing art brings life to space and it is capable of sparking joy to homeowners. (SEE: Finale Auctions to host another live auction event on May 18)

When selecting an art piece to present in a room, you have to choose a piece that resonates with you. From there, you use your selected art piece as inspiration for the room’s furniture, color palette, and overall style. It can get overwhelming to style a room, what with all the things you would need to consider to create a cohesive and personalized space, but being guided by your selected art piece may make things easier for you. (SEE: Designing Your Apartment)

Moreover, selecting art pieces for your room is a reflection of your personality. This is a golden opportunity for you to create a space that is entirely you. As Filipinos, a visit to  Museo de Intramuros might inspire you to showcase Filipino art in your home.