Exploring the Museum for Free

Since it’s been raining all day from morning till evening, I decided to skip the outdoor spots like lakes, beaches, and hills. Instead, I went for the best option—visiting somewhere close to my hotel. I ended up at an art museum in Manila called the Arts Museum. And guess what? Entrance is totally free!! How cool is that??

There was quite a long line though, lots of people waiting to get inside the museum.

The line looked super long, but it actually moved pretty fast—after about 10 minutes I was already inside!

Before getting in, there were two reception desks. The one on the right was for dropping off things like bags, drinks, umbrellas, and so on. On the left was the registration desk—just show your ID card, they hand it back right away, and you’re good to go inside!

Let’s head inside—right at the entrance we’re greeted by this statue!

This is Diwata, a fairy-shaped statue with wings, made from reinforced concrete, created by the artist Tolentino. The statue was actually donated as a gift to the museum by the heirs of Hermogenes Reyes and Teodora Reyes.

Turns out, this statue is on loan from the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines. It was made to honor one of the Secretaries of the Philippine Commission who served from 1901 to 1908. The piece itself is crafted from bronze and marble

This painting above is actually a symbol of nationalism and a critique of Spanish colonization. It was painted by Juan Luna back in 1884.

After finishing up in the first room, there were still plenty more rooms to explore—each with its own unique theme and gallery

In the Layers and Shadows gallery, we get to see amazing painting works by Demi Padua

Demi Padua uses the trompe l’oeil technique in every painting displayed here. His works are super unique and full of meaning.

The museum also showcases many Victorian-style sculptures created by Filipino artists. The Victorian style itself refers to English sculpture from the Victorian era, around 1837 to 1901. Let’s gooo check out the statues!

Earlier we saw the Victorian-style sculptures, and now it’s time for the Victorian-style paintings!

This painting was once brought to Spain, where it even won an award. It’s truly one of the finest Filipino artworks that has gained worldwide recognition!

Even along the hallways of the museum, you’ll find plenty of statues and other artworks on display

Moving on—this section is filled with religious-themed paintings.

Let’s check out more of the artworks!

Now let’s take a look at portrait paintings—also known as portraiture. Here, the artworks feature Filipino people and notable figures.

One of the most important figures in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period was José Rizal. In this museum, you can also find both a statue and a painting of him, honoring his legacy.

Next, what kind of art collection should we check out? There’s just so much to see in this museum!

Inside the museum, the atmosphere is kept a bit dim, with spotlights shining directly on the artworks—probably to make us appreciate them even more.

And the best part? You’re free to take photos here! There are plenty of great photo spots around, just remember—NO flash allowed!

The museum is also friendly for seniors and people with disabilities—there’s an elevator available if taking the stairs isn’t an option.

Next, we head to the kid-friendly area! There’s even a little spot for reading fairy tale books—and it’s totally free. Just remember, the books are for reading on the spot only, so don’t take them home haha!

There are also artworks that portray the everyday lives of people in the Philippines, as well as pieces that raise awareness and critique climate change.

Earlier we saw the elevator, and now here are the stairs—which actually make a pretty cool photo spot too!

The restroom area here is also clean and smells nice—definitely a plus point for the museum!

Feeling recharged, let’s wander around some more—this gallery looks like it’s all about modern and abstract art!

I didn’t even realize I’d spent around 3 hours here—it was sooo much fun!

If you ever visit the Philippines, don’t forget to stop by the Arts Museum You definitely won’t regret it—the collection is huge, the place is cool and spacious, and you could easily spend hours here enjoying all the artworks..

Here’s my little tip if you’re planning to visit this museum—make sure to clear some space on your camera or phone haha, because there are so many cool and unique photo spots. Perfect for updating your socials!

And that’s a wrap on my fun experience at one of the museums here in the Philippines.

Up next: random moments and my last day in the Philippines.
Stay tuned…!