This “Museum and Galleries Month,” let’s dance with history.
Let’s go down in history through the highlights of the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines by honoring the country’s historical and artistic treasures. This October, we celebrate the Museums and Galleries Month to honor the institutions that safeguard these priceless artifacts, preserving the legacies of our old Philippines.
Whether you’re a historian, or an art enthusiast, this is a time to deepen your appreciation by exploring the diverse artifacts that represent the Philippines’ rich history. To help you in your journey, we’ve compiled a list of museums and galleries across the Visayas and Mindanao regions. Discover these remarkable exhibits and uncover the hidden gems they offer.
MUSEO SUGBO
This museum from Cebu City consists of four galleries. In the Museum of Philippine Political History, you’ll find the Political History Gallery, which chronicles the country’s political evolution from early Filipino societies to the present. And then there’s the Presidential Gallery, showcasing portraits of Philippine presidents on 24-karat gold-plated metal.
Across from the Museum of Philippine Political History are two additional galleries featuring archeological artifacts from excavations in Cebu, including gold pieces and ceramics from the famous San Diego shipwreck of 1600.
These galleries will allow you to learn about Cebu during the Pre-Colonial Era, the Spanish Period, the American Colonial Era, and the Post-War Period. There is also a gift shop inside where you can buy handcrafted items and museum merchandise.
RATES & OTHER INFORMATION
RATES
Adults:
- Filipinos: Php 30.00
- Foreigners: Php 75.00
Students:
- Filipinos: Php 10.00
- Foreigners: Php 50.00
Senior Citizen: Php 10.00
OTHER INFORMATIONS
- Open Hours: 10 AM – 3 PM
- Email Address: museosugbocpg@gmail.com
- Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/museosugbo/
- Contact Number: N/A
HOW TO GET THERE?
Exact Location: Former Cebu Provincial Jail/CPDRC, MJ Cuenco Avenue, Brgy. Tejero, Cebu City, Philippines, 6000
- By Car: Navigate via Waze or Google Maps and pin the exact location above or “Museo Sugbo” as your destination.
- By Commute: From the gate of Saint Joseph and Patriarch Parish, Mabolo, ride a 03B jeepney and instruct the driver to drop you off at Museo Sugbo. Only one jeepney ride from there
THE NEGROS MUSEUM
The museum is distinct because it focusses on showcasing the lifestyle and society of the Negrense people rather than focusing on precious archeological artifacts. It features old furnishings and items loaned from ancestral homes, alongside art exhibits from local and resident foreign artists. The museum also hosts art training sessions and seminars.
In addition, the Negros Museum Café, located in the West Annex, caters to visitors with a separate entrance. The café has both open-air and indoor seating, and it occasionally hosts small theater performances and art exhibitions, enhancing the cultural experience for guests.
RATES & OTHER INFORMATIONS
RATES
Entrance Fees:
- General Admission: Php 100.00
- Senior Citizens: Php 80.00
- Students and Children: Php 70.00
OTHER INFORMATIONS
- Open Hours:
- Monday – Saturday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
- Sunday: Closed
- Telephone Number: (034) 703 4339
- Email Address: negros_museum96@yahoo.com
- Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TheNegrosMuseum/
HOW TO GET THERE?
Exact Location: Old Agricultural Bldg., Gatuslao Street, Bacolod City, Philippines, 6100
- By Car: Navigate via Waze or Google Maps and pin the exact location above or “The Negros Museum” as your destination.
Landmarks would be the Provincial Capitol Building of Negros Occidental and the Hall of Justice. They are just located beside the Hall of Justice and a 3-min walk from the Provincial Capitol Building.
MUSEO ILOILO
Museo Iloilo is an important provincial museum in the Philippines, situated near the Iloilo Provincial Capitol. It holds the distinction of being the first government-sponsored museum outside Metro Manila. The museum showcases the rich cultural heritage of Iloilo and the surrounding Panay region.
The permanent exhibits include a diverse array of artifacts, such as weaponry from the Filipino-Spanish War, ancient pottery from various eras, and sculptures from the Spanish colonial period. It also features items from the Japanese invasion, fossils, jewelry, and remnants of a British shipwreck.
A notable section highlights the religious devotion of the Hiligaynon people, featuring various religious figures, including a striking late 18th century high relief carving. This carving depicts the conversation of San Agustin, illustrating themes of faith and maternal sacrifice, represented by Sta. Monica. Overall, the museum serves as a testament to the cultural and religious history of Iloilo.
RATES & OTHER INFORMATION
RATES
Entrance Fees:
- Adult: Php 50.00
- Student: Php 20.00
- Senior Citizens/PWD: Free
OTHER INFORMATION
- Open Hours: Monday to Saturday; 9 AM – 5 PM
- Telephone Number: (033) 315 4035
- Email Address: museoiloiloicrfiofficial@gmail.com
- Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/p/Museo-Iloilo-Official-100064925880593/
HOW TO GET THERE?
Exact Location: Provincial Capitol Complex, Bonifacio Drive, Iloilo City
- By Car: Navigate via Waze or Google Maps and pin the exact location above or “Museo Iloilo” as your destination.
Museo Iloilo is found in Bonifacio Drive, just beside the Iloilo Provincial Capitol and the Department of Tourism Regional Office.
DAVAO MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND ETHNOGRAPHY
This museum offers a comprehensive look at the region’s rich history and cultural heritage, from its early inhabitants to contemporary society. The museum focuses on the diverse tribes that have historically populated Davao and continue to thrive today. Its main goal is to preserve and promote the local culture and arts, particularly emphasizing the identity of indigenous people and Davao locals.
The museum also actively engages the community through regular photo exhibits, lectures, forums, and seminars, making it a vibrant center for cultural exchange and education.
RATES & OTHER INFORMATION
ENTRANCE RATES
- Adults: Php 100.00
- Senior Citizens: Php 80.00
- Students: Php 20.00
OTHER INFORMATION
- Open Hours
- Monday – Saturday: 9 AM – 5 PM
- Closed on Holidays
- Email Address: davaomuseum@yahoo.com
- Telephone Number: (082) 233 1734
- Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/davaomuseum/
HOW TO GET THERE?
Exact Location: Zonta Building, 113 Agusan Circle, Insular Village 1, Lanang, Davao City, 8000 Davao Del Sur, Philippines
- By Car: Navigate via Waze or Google Maps and pin the exact location above as your destination.
- By Commute: Jeepneys and buses service various routes within the city. Look for routes that pass through or near the museum.
BALANGAY SHRINE MUSEUM
This museum is a one-story facility that operates as part of the National Museum. It is notable for housing the remnants of the Balangay, a type of seagoing outrigger boat used by early communities for travel and trade. This vessel is significant as it is among the oldest known artifacts in the country, with many Balangay excavated in Butuan.
In addition to the Balangay remains, the museum features associated artifacts, including coffins, human remains, and other relics discovered alongside the boat. One of the notable finds is a coffin dating back to the 14th – 15th century, measuring about three meters. The museum also displays deformed skulls, which are believed to have belonged to members of royalty from that era, providing insight into the burial practices and social structures of ancient Filipino societies.
RATES & OTHER INFORMATION
RATES
- No Entrance Fee
OTHER INFORMATION
- Open Hours
- Tuesday – Saturday: 9 AM – 5 PM
- Telephone Number: 816 2716
HOW TO GET THERE?
Exact Location: 6th St, Butuan City, Agusan Del Norte, Butuan, Philippines
- By Car: Navigate via Waze or Google Maps and pin the exact location above or “Balangay Shrine” as your destination.
- By Commute: Take a jeepney bound for Libertad and get off at the corner going to Brgy. Paradise. From there, you can take a tricycle or a pedicab going to the shrine.
MUSEO DABAWENYO
Museo Dabawenyo is a museum in Davao that highlights the region’s rich historical and cultural heritage through various exhibitions. Visitors can explore artifacts, costumes, and stories from indigenous tribes to colonial periods, gaining insight into the traditions and events that have shaped the city’s identity.
Housed in the historic Court of First Instance Building, which dates back to 1849, the museum enhances its significance by showcasing Davao’s past. It serves as both an educational institution and a celebration of the city’s diverse history, aiming to foster pride in Davao’s cultural identity while offering a glimpse into its vibrant heritage.
RATES & OTHER INFORMATION
RATES
- Admission to the museum is FREE OF CHARGE
OTHER INFORMATION
- Open Hours: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
- Telephone Number: (082) 222 6011
- Email Address: museo_dabawenyo@davaocity.gov.ph
- Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/museodabawenyo/?locale=tl_PH
HOW TO GET THERE?
Exact Location: PWC-MFAMSC University Ave., Juna Subd. Matina Davao City, Davao Del Sur
- By Car: Navigate via Waze or Google Maps and pin the exact location above or “Museo Dabawenyo” as your destination.
Listed above are some of the best museums around Visayas and Mindanao. As you enter a room surrounded with timeless masterpieces, you will find inspirations and connections with past ancestors. A visit to a museum is a journey through time, revealing the beauty of diverse cultures and ideas.
Happy Museum and Galleries Month, Everyone!
