Here is your ultimate guide to the Sugboanon museum!
Cebu island is filled with architectural and historical masterpieces, which is why it’s no wonder that a National Museum of the Philippines was brought to the Queen City of the South. It lifted and incorporated a sense of life to the old Aduana building with its astonishing five key galleries!
So, for you to have the best time of your life, here’s a guide with tips that you can take note of on your next visit at the National Museum of the Philippines – Cebu:
- Keep it minimal – Not talking about your outfit, but about the things that you’ll be bringing inside the museum premises. Large luggages and bags are not allowed, so, just focus on bringing your essentials such as your phone, keys, wallet, and of course, DON’T FORGET YOUR ID!
- Don’t bring animals – Pets are not allowed for reasons relating to keeping the museum spick and span, as well as to make sure that poop and pee, and other accidents will be avoided. As stated, LARGE BAGS are not allowed, so as your pet carriers!
- Pose but don’t record – You can take photos using your phone, but avoid using your camera flash due to items being sensitive to light. In addition, professional cameras, video recording, selfie sticks, and tripods are also prohibited inside the premises.
- Marvel at the art, not make an art – Setting up your own art session is not allowed inside. So, leave your paint buckets, watercolors, paint brushes, and etc at home. Instead, marvel at the wonderful artworks and be inspired to contribute something as valuable in your lifetime as an artist.
- Keep your hands to yourself – Do not touch the exhibits or the glass cases protecting them because it’ll leave handprints and unnecessary oil to the items which can cause damage to their already fragile state.
- Hush hush – The museum is vast, but it is also enclosed which means that our normal speaking voice can be heard by others in the same gallery. So, keep your voice low to not disturb the other guests; noise pollution is still pollution!
- Make sure you have time – Every nook and cranny of the museum is worth checking out, even the tiny lights on the mini church. So, for you to truly enjoy it, allocate enough time; probably around 1 hour and above, that’s how long it took for me and my mother to check every floor and artwork.
- Wear comfortable clothes and bring a face mask – Good thing we wore flats because if we had not, we could’ve slipped and fell on the shiny wooden floors. And, leave your caps and hats in your bag because it’s not permitted as well, for security purposes obviously. Also, it’s no longer the pandemic but face masks are useful for when your olfactory senses are too sensitive to changes in the smell of an area. For instance, in the first gallery, there was a distinct kind of smell that I thought was a bit unfavorable, while in gallery three, the ambiance changed and the scent surrounding the place was okay. So, if you’re like me, then just bring a mask along with you.
- Bring enough money – We love anik-aniks and the museum has that! They have a designated merchandise store where you can find DIY tote bags, museum-designed shirts, keychains, pins, and many more!
- Think of the past – LEARN and get that knowledge going by reading the details and descriptions of each item. Then, think about how those death masks were worn by someone who used to live an entirely different life from what you’re in right now. There’s even a sailor’s boot in one of the exhibits, and with that you can reflect on what his last moments were or if he got out alive from the sinking ship, and if he had a lover. Your imagination’s your limit, just don’t forget about the facts!
List of Prohibited Items
RATES & OTHER INFORMATION
RATES
- Entrance Fee – FREE
- Merchandise – Prices range from Php 60.00 and above depending on the item (keychains, tumblers, mugs, shirts, tote bags, and many more)
OTHER INFORMATION
- Opening Days: Tuesday to Sunday
- Operating Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (NO LUNCH BREAK)
- Last Call for Guest Entry: 4:30 PM
- Contact Number: 0919 077 9877
- Email Address: cebu@nationalmuseum.gov.ph
- Website: nationalmuseum.gov.ph
- Facebook Page: https://web.facebook.com/nmpcebu
HOW TO GET THERE?
Exact Location: Former Malacañan sa Sugbo (Old Customs House), A. Pigafetta St., Cebu City, Cebu City, Philippines
- By Commute: Take a jeepney going to Plaza Independencia Cebu. Once you arrive there, walk heading to the right side of the Plaza, facing the entrance of Fort San Pedro. In just about 2 minutes, you’ll find yourself facing the National Museum a.k.a the Malacanan sa Sugbo.
- By Car: Navigate via Waze or Google Maps and pin “National Museum of the Philippines – Cebu”
