Manila Heritage Nostalgia | A Free Tour in the National Art Gallery

As I walked in the scorching heat of the metro along with the heavy traffic on the streets, I decided to visit the National Museum of Fine Arts or the National Art Gallery where I need to celebrate the Heritage Month. In addition, the said institution has a promo where there was a free admission for the whole month of May.

The current museum was the Old Legislative Building (Old Congress Building) which is located in Padre Burgos Avenue, Ermita, Manila located near the Manila City Hall. The building was planned based on the design of Ralph Harrington Doane and Antonio Toledo for the National Library in 1918 but it was changed into a legislative building based on the plan of Juan Arellano in 1926. Some of the historical events happened in this building such as the Constitutional Convention led by Claro M. Recto in 1934 and the presidential inaugurations of Manuel L. Quezon in 1935, Jose P. Laurel in 1943 and Manuel A. Roxas in 1946. It was destroyed during the Second World War and it was restored which was turned into Congress Building in 1949. During the declaration of Martial Law in 1972, it was the office of the Prime Minister and it returned back into Congress Building in 1987. On February 12, 1998, the building was declared as the National Museum and it became a National Historical Landmark on September 30, 2010.

The National Museum was divided into three buildings - the National Art Gallery or the National Museum of Fine Arts which was located in the Old Legislative Building, National Museum of Anthropology or the Museum of the Filipino People which was the old building of Department of Finance and the National Museum of Natural History which was occupied by the Department of Tourism.  

The facade of National Art Gallery of the National Museum.

When I entered the institution and left my stuff in the baggage counter, I brought my tablet to take notes for important details to study the art and history of our country. First, I visited the Old House of Representatives Session Hall where the famous artworks such as "Spoliarium" by Juan Luna and "The Assassination of Governor Bustamante" by Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo are found in this area. In fact, I also had the chance to see another popular work of Juan Luna "The Parisian Life" in the GSIS Hall.

"Spolarium" by Juan Luna

"The Assassination of Governor Bustamante" by Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo

"The Parisian Life" by Juan Luna in the GSIS Hall.

After visiting the Spoliarium Hall, I went to Ablaza Hall whersome Christian themed masterpieces from 17th to 19th century. There are different wooden retablos and religious relics found in this hall. Then, I also had a chance to have a glance of our rich flora in FCCP Hall where the paintings by Juan Perez de Cuellar which focused on the Philippine plants are located. 

The FCCP Hall which features the botanical art works which are done by Juan De Cuellar. These drawings are featured in the Royal Botanical Garden n Madrid, Spain.

A retablo.

There is also a gallery dedicated for Dr. Jose Rizal which showcases the different portraits of our national hero which was done by different artists and his sculptural works such as "El Ermitano" and "Mother's Revenge."

The portrait of Dr. Jose Rizal

A portrait of Dr. Jose Rizal, Ermitanyo (upper right) and Mother's Revenge (lower right). The two sculptural art works are examples of terra cotta.

In MFP Hall (Gallery X) you can find the series of paintings which was done by Carlos "Botong" Francisco entitled "The Progress of Medicine in the Philippines." These masterpieces were found in the Philippine General Hospital and today, it has a new home in the National Art Gallery. 

"The Progress of Medicine in the Philippines" by Carlos "Botong" Francisco. 

I also had a chance to visit Silvina and Juan C. Laya Hall where some artworks which was made during the World War II was displayed in that gallery.

Some of the art works that depict the life and historical events during World War II.. 

oAnother set of artworks that feature the life during the World War II.

You may also visit the galleries which feature the works of Fernando Amorsolo, Guillermo Tolentino, Vicente Manansala, Jose T. Joya, Hernando Ocampo and Carlos "Botong" Francisco as well with the masterpieces of contemporary artists such as Benedicto "BenCab" Cabrera, Arturo Luz and Mauro "Malang" Santos/ In addition, there are also masterpieces from local artists which feature the historical events and tackled on  political and social status of our society from 1960's to the early 1990's. 

The masterpieces of Guillermo Tolentino featuring the arch of the Commonwealth of the Philippines.. The works of Guillermo Tolentino can be found in  Gallery XII or Security Bank Hall.

Artworks of  Hernando Ocampo

"Fishes" by Vicente Manansala

"Pagkain" (Food) by Vicente Manansala. These paintings by Vicente Manansala featured transparent cubism.

"Plantng of the First Cross' by Vicente Manansala

Artworks with the theme of restoration of democracy during the EDSA Revolution..

The art works of Benedicto Cabrera, also known as BenCab .

Portraits of prominent politicians, celebrities and business figures in a hallway.

As you walked inside the historical building, passing the dim aisle teemed with the cool air, you can see various artworks that reflect in the history and culture of our country. You can travel back in time as you see the different masterpieces that showcase the life during the pre-colonial period, seeing the Romantic paintings during the Spanish era that depict religious and patriotic themes, the historical struggles which are reflected in the paintings during the World War II, Martial Law Era up to the EDSA Revolution and the creativity of artists in the modern and contemporary period which proved that visual art, painting and sculpture has a place in the world full of technology and digital information.

Therefore, it is highly recommended that you need to visit museums in order to take a glance of our history through art and the appreciation of the works of our national artists who shared their God-given talent in order to enhance the richness of culture and talent in our art. 

The National Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is permanently free of charge effective July 1, 2016. The National Art Gallery can be found in Padre Burgos Drive, Rizal Park, City of Manila. 

Website: http://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/

Date of Travel: May 25, 2016 and December 17, 2016

Remembering History at the Cradle of Philippine Independence: Kawit, Cavite

June 12, 1898. A date when a remarkable event in Philippine history was happened - the Declaration of Independence from Spain. It was held at the house of the first Philippine president, General Emilio Aguinaldo. It is also the first time where the official Philippine flag was hoisted in the balcony of Aguinaldo's house as well with the fact that that people witnessed the playing of the national anthem for the first time. It was held in Kawit, Cavite, the historical town located in the province of the brave and prominent heroes.

The town got its name from Tagalog word "kawit" meaning "hook" because of its geographical shape which covers the town up to Cavite City within Manila Bay. According to a folk story, there was a Spaniard who asked a question to a blacksmith, who is accomplishing a metal work which looked like a hook during that time, about the name of the town. The blacksmith answered "kawite" and later on, the town was called Cavite. The town was called "Cavite del Viejo" which is different from "Cavite del Puerto" known as the present location of Cavite City. Kawit is also the founding place of Aglipayan Church in 1902 which was located in Binakayan.

Fish pond and rivers are very common in Kawit.

I had a chance to travel this town last year. It is already urbanized and populated but there are plenty of fish ponds and rivers in the town. It is also one of the coastal towns in Cavite which is located beside the Manila Bay.

Battle of Binakayan Shrine

The first site that I visited is the Battle of Binakayan Shrine located near the Island Cove Resort where Filipinos won the battle against Spaniards. Binakayan was defended by Magdalo leader Emilio Aguinaldo aided by other generals which was held in November 9-11, 1896 along with Battle of Dalahican which is a barrio in Noveleta.

Kawit Church

It is also the place where Emilio Aguinaldo was born and he was baptized in Saint Mary Magdalene Church or Kawit Church in 1869. The church was first built by Jesuit missionaries in 1624 which was made of wood and the present structure was built in 1737.

The balcony of Aguinaldo Shrine.

The interior of the house.

The Philippine Map in the ceiling of Aguinaldo's house.

Aguinaldo's portrait.

Then, I went to Aguinaldo Shrine in order to commemorate the history in this town. The house was built in 1849 where Aguinaldo spent his childhood days until he grew up. In the balcony of this historical house held the Proclamation of Independence in 1898. He passed away in 1964 and he was buried at the backyard of his house.

Today, the Aguinaldo Shrine is one of the most visited tourist spots in Cavite because it is rich in history as well with the fact that we can commemorate the glorious past of the Filipino people in achieving their sovereignty from the colonizers. It is proven that Kawit is an urban town but strengthen by history.

How to get there:

From Manila, you may take a bus going to Cavite City, passing through CAVITEX and then Kawit is one of the exits in the expressway where the bus will pass in the town proper.

You may also ride a mini-bus from SM Bacoor and then the driver will take you to the town proper of Kawit.

Date of Travel: May 31, 2012 

A Visit to the Historical Sites and Commemorating the Valor of Heroes in Corregidor Island

The fall of Bataan marked the doom of the Philippines. Rocky Corregidor, guarding the entrance to Manila Bay, continued to defy the Japanese forces, but with the capture of Bataan it could not long resist the enemy assaults. 

General Wainwright displayed superhuman efforts to defend the island-fortress, but in vain. No general could save Corregidor then. And no army of the size that he had under his command could hold the place against overwhelming odds.

On May 6, 1942, Corregidor fell. Nearly 12,000 Fil-American soldiers were taken prisoner. Fortunately, unlike their comrade-in-arms of Bataan, the Corregidor prisoners did not undergo the rigors of a "Death March." With the fall of Corregidor, organized resistance against Japanese invasion of the Philippines came to an end.

                                                  Source: Chapter  25 - The Philippines and World War II, from the book "The Philippines: A Unique Nation" by Sonia M. Zaide

After the fall of Bataan in April 9, 1942, the island bastion of Corregidor with its network of tunnels and formidable array of defensive armament along the fortifications across the entrance to Manila Bay was the remaining obstacle by the Japanese soldiers headed by Lieutenant General Masaharu Homma. For instance, the Japanese had to take Corregidor as long as the island remained in American hands. On May 6, 1942, Lieutenant General Jonathan Wainwright surrendered the Corregidor Island and they raised a white flag to carry his surrender message to the Japanese. 1

The fall of Corregidor is one of the historical incidents happened during the Second World War in the Philippines. The Filipino and American soldiers showed their heroic acts by surrendering the island to the Japanese invaders in order to defend our country. Today, this event is still commemorated by visiting the three spots located in the island just to give tribute to the heroes of the Second World War.

Pacific War Memorial

The entrance gate of Pacific War Memorial.

One of the interesting sites in Corregidor Island is the Pacific War Memorial. It was built in 1968 and located in the Topside, the Pacific War Memorial contains a circular rotunda, a steel structure, a garden and a museum. We visited the rotunda, a major memorial structure where it has a circular altar directly under the dome's oculus. There are instances that the sun shines directly on the circular altar in the daytime of May 6 at twelve o'clock in the afternoon, the day when Corregidor was captured by the Japanese army. Under the dome, there's a marble altar with an inscription which is dedicated to the heroes who died during the war.

The rotunda in Pacific War Memorial.

The dome's oculus where the sunlight shines at 12 noon of May 6.

A circular marble altar with its inscription for those who sacrificed their lives during the war.

Another structure in the Pacific War Memorial is the Eternal Flame of Freedom. It is a 12-meter high Corten steel structure that commemorates the sacrifices, hopes and aspirations of heroes and soldiers who fought during the Second World War. The lights of the structure are powered by solar energy and it gives light to the island of Corregidor during the evening. It is also the site where General Douglas MacArthur celebrated retaking the island from the Japanese.

Eternal Flame of Freedom

The Eternal Flame of Freedom

Another prominent structure in the place is the sculpture of two soldiers called "Brothers in Arms." It represent the Filipino and American soldiers who helped each other during the war and beside the sculpture are the flags of United States and the Philippines.

The sculpture that depicts the unity of United States and the Philippines, "Brothers in Arms"

There is an avenue in the place where the walls are made up of marble which inscribed the different battles in the Pacific during the Second World War. From that avenue, you can visit the Pacific War Memorial Museum. This museum contains weapons, photographs and other memorabilia used in World War II.

The marble walls where the significant battles of World War II in the Pacific was inscribed.

The entrance to Pacific War Memorial Museum.

An issue of Honolulu Star Bulletin with a headline about the Pacific War.

Pictures of Corregidor Island before the Japanese invasion.

The flag of United States of America with forty-five stars which represent the number of states during that time.

The pictures of different generals and heroes who fought during the World War II. The picture inset is the arrival of General Douglas MacArthur in Leyte Gulf.

The weapons used during Second World War in Corregidor.

Therefore, the experience in Pacific War Memorial is such an amazing journey because I learned about the history of our country during the war as well with the fact that different structures that symbolize the valor of Filipino and American heroes as well with the fact that it commemorates the glorious past of our history during the Second World War.

Japanese Garden of Peace

Another interesting site in Corregidor Island is the Japanese Garden of Peace which is located in the Tailside. This garden commemorates the heroic deeds of the Japanese soldiers and heroes who fought during the Second World War. It is used as a praying area of families of the Japanese war veterans. It contains a 10-feet Buddha, a reflecting pool, a Shinto shrine and other markers with Japanese inscriptions. There is also a souvenir shop located near the garden where you can see old photographs and Japanese currencies.

Stone Buddha of Fertility 

The Japanese inscription below the Buddha statue.

Tribute to the grave.

The marker for the repose of the souls.

More battle canyons.

Old Japanese currency and photographs.

Filipino Heroes Memorial

Filipino Heroes Memorial (Courtesy of www.lakadpilipinas.com)

The third place that commemorates the heroic deeds of our people is the Filipino Heroes Memorial. It is located in the Tailside of the island. The place features murals of different historical events from Battle of Mactan up to EDSA Revolution as well with the inscriptions which show the details. In addition, the faces of national heroes and Philippine presidents are also included in the mural. There is also a museum which show the old photographs of President Manuel L. Quezon during the Commonwealth and Second World War.

Therefore, visiting the three places in Corregidor represents the unity of three countries namely United States, Japan and the Philippines after the Second World War. In addition, it showed that these countries truly gave salute to the heroic deeds of the people who sacrificed their lives in the war in order to show their loyalty to their country. These places are interesting for tourists for the reason that it help them to recall the historical events that they studied in school or read in books.

Date of Travel: March 13, 2010

Source:
1 - Battle of Corregidor (Wikipedia article)
2 - http:///www.lakadpilipinas.com