A special exhibition featuring award-winning, multidisciplinary artist Leeroy New and other emerging Filipino artists is now on view at the National Museum of Anthropology (NMA). “Alamat: Revisiting Philippine Folklore” draws from the mystical narratives and iconography of Philippine folklore, offering a harmonious confluence of tradition and modernity. 

Through a collection of paintings and sculptures on loan from J Studio, the exhibition pays a nostalgic tribute to the stories that have contributed to shaping the Filipino psyche. They beckon to embark on a stimulating journey between the ethereal and the quotidian, showing alternative views of the grotesque spaces of our imagination.

At the core of this exhibition, visitors may now explore the intersection of pre-colonial oral histories and futuristic science fiction that Leeroy New conveys with “Balay Balete”, a large-scale installation that appears to engulf the NMA Courtyard. In Gallery 2, he alludes to old tales about the pillars that cradle the earth, creating a fluorescent forest environment composed of reusable resin foam, upcycled plastic, bamboo, and other found materials. Together, these works transform the traditional anthropology gallery space into a thought-provoking, immersive experience. They were commissioned by pop culture magnate, Tim Yap, specifically for this exhibition, launching in conjunction with his annual star-studded Halloween costume ball last 30 October.

Experience “Alamat: Revisiting Philippine Folklore” at The Courtyard and Gallery 2 of the National Museum of Anthropology until 31 December 2023! Open Tuesdays to Sundays, from 9 AM to 6 PM. Admission is FREE!

This year’s Museums and Galleries Month has been more meaningful as the National Museum of the Philippines received two recognitions this first week of #MGM2023: the NMP’s first ISO 9001:2015 Certification for its Quality Management System (QMS), covering the processes on the provision and management of museum exhibitions, visitor experience, and support services that are compliant with international standards, and the Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in Human Resource Management (PRIME-HRM) Maturity Level II in Recruitment, Selection and Placement (RSP), and Performance Management (PM) from the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

In a brief awarding ceremony conducted earlier today, October 6, Chairman Mr. Renato Navarrete and the President and Managing Director Mr. Joselito Soler of Certification International Philippines Inc. awarded the ISO Certificate to the NMP which was received by Chairman Andoni M. Aboitiz, Director-General Jeremy R. Barns, and Deputy Director-General for Administration Atty. Rosenne Flores-Avila. The entire NMP QMS Core Team, who made this long-standing goal a reality for the institution, were also present in the ceremony. This milestone certification was made in recognition of the NMP’s commitment to quality public service delivery.

Meanwhile, CSC Director II Claudia Abalos-Tan awarded the Certificate of Recognition to the NMP last October 4 for obtaining the PRIME-HRM Maturity Level II in Recruitment, Selection, and Placement, and Performance Management, recognizing the institution’s continuing efforts to improve its human resource management systems and practices. The certificate was received by DG Barns, DDGA Flores-Avila, Deputy Director-General for Museums Jorell M. Legaspi, and Chief Human Resource Officer Angelo S. Macario, together with the Human Resource Management Division Team. 

This achievement is a significant milestone for the NMP as it demonstrates its commitment to providing excellent service to its employees. The HRMD is steadfast in completing the evidence requirements in Learning & Development and Rewards & Recognition systems in its bid for the PRIME-HRM Bronze Award. 

The NMP warmly received both recognitions, which serve as tangible testaments to our commitment and ability to provide quality and timely services both to its personnel and to the Filipino people.

#NationalMuseumPH #ISOCertified #PRIMEHRM #HumanResources #QualityManagement

On July 28, 2023, the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) inaugurated its 16th component museum—the NMP-Cebu in Cebu City.

Located in the heart of Cebu City in the historic Plaza Independencia, near Fort San Pedro, the “Aduana” building was designed by William Parsons and was constructed in 1910. It served as the customs house of the Port of Cebu for 94 years and even survived the bombings during World War II relatively intact. In 2004, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo decided to convert the structure into the Malacañang sa Sugbo, which aimed to bring the national government closer to the Visayas. However, in 2013, the building was damaged by a 7.1-magnitude quake, prompting its closure.

Former NMP Chairperson Evangelina Lourdes-Arroyo Bernas stated that she saw it as her priority to “rectify the absence of a National Museum in the International Gateway and Educational, Cultural and Tourism Hub in the Central Philippines.” So in 2019, the Cebu Port Authority and the National Museum of the Philippines signed a usufruct agreement, giving the NMP the right to use the structure to house the NMP-Cebu  for 25 years. 

The inauguration ceremony formally began with the arrival of the President of the Philippines Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. Shortly after the ribbon-cutting was the unveiling of the inauguration plaque, and a presidential tour of the exhibitions. 

A short program followed, starting with welcoming remarks from National Museum Board of Trustees Chairman Andoni Aboitiz.

“The historical building we see in front of us is meant to serve as a temple for not just Cebuanos but Filipinos from all over the country and visitors from all over the world to come and learn about a significant slice of our nation,” Aboitiz said.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco then introduced President Marcos who in his speech highlighted the importance of this institution and called the museum a “milestone for the entire country”.

“[The opening of this museum] is in line with our national agenda to promote tourism [and] nurture our national identity… It is a milestone, not only for the Queen City of the South and the whole Province of Cebu, but for the entire country, as the opening of this museum brings to the fore our rich natural, cultural, and artistic treasures”, Marcos said.

NMP-Cebu features exhibitions that capture the Cebuano spirit and heritage, including the island’s rich and diverse biodiversity, geology, archaeological treasures, art, and ethnographic and maritime traditions. The new museum also hosts a special exhibition featuring artworks from the Philippine Center in New York and will soon feature artworks by Cebu master Martino Abellana. Aside from the five galleries, NM Cebu also boasts a lobby and reception hall featuring additional art by Cebuanos and featuring Cebuano culture and history, a terrace, a courtyard, and the NM’s first-ever museum shop.

The National Museum of the Philippines – Cebu will be partially opened to the public from Tuesdays to Sundays, 9AM to 5PM, beginning on August 1. Admission will be FREE!