When the pandemic hit the Philippines, everything seemed to be at a standstill. Being a person imbued with wanderlust, being unable to travel made me restless. But I made do with whatever opportunities we had back then.
After the restrictions were slowly lifted and outdoor activities were allowed, my friends and I started rediscovering Manila, the capital city of the Philippines. We went around Intramuros, explored Fort Santiago, walked around the walled city, and discovered hole-in-the-wall and hidden dining places.
I’ve worked in Intramuros for some years, but there is always something to rediscover. I had never been to Baluarte de San Diego, until the Cultural Center of the Philippines presented the outdoor staging of Isang Gabi ng Sarsuwela, which was part of the first edition of CCP Out-Of-The-Box Series, back in 2023.
I have yet to visit the new museums inside the historic walled city such as the Centro de Turismo, which is built in the former site of San Ignacio Church, one of the seven original churches inside Intramuros and was destroyed during the Battle of Manila in 1945. The interactive digital museum is right beside the Museo de Intramuros.
The three National Museums of the Philippines are a few minutes away – the National Museum of Fine Arts, the National Museum of Natural History, and the National Museum of Anthropology.
Head to the NM Fine Arts if you want to learn about the evolution of Philippine art. The museum has 29 galleries and hallway exhibitions comprising 19th-century Filipino masters, National Artists, leading modern painters, sculptors, and printmakers. Don’t forget to see The Spolarium by Juan Luna.
Built in the former building of the Department of Tourism with neoclassical architecture, the National Museum of Natural History has 12 permanent galleries that display the rich biological and geological diversity of the Philippines.
Go deeper into the heart and soul of the Philippines when you visit The National Museum of Anthropology. It’s all about cultures and traditions, literally a treasure trove of cultural artifacts that showcase the Philippines’s rich history and diverse ethnolinguistic heritage.
To reach these museums, take the NLEX Connector España Exit going to Quiapo, Manila, then head towards Ermita and find the three interconnected National Museums. Start your museum-hopping at T.M. Kalaw Avenue, where the NM Fine Arts is located, then walk towards the National Museum of Natural History at Agrifina Circle inside Rizal Park, and finally, the National Museum of Anthropology, located at the P. Burgos Drive, also within Rizal Park.
While in Manila, visit the oldest existing museum in the Philippines, the UST Museum. Established in 1867, the university-based museum showcases pre-colonial artifacts, the Philippine Revolution era, and an ethnographic collection. It is also rich in collections of flora and fauna specimens, including fossils, insects, and marine life.
Another must-visit is the Malacañang Museum, located inside the official residence of the Philippine President. By heading towards the Malacañang Complex in San Miguel, Manila via the NLEX Connector Magsaysay Ave Exit, you will find a cluster of heritage houses that shows a glimpse of how the past presidents lived their lives and the Filipino culture. There is the Bahay Ugnayan; The Goldberg Mansion, a French-inspired mansion; and the Teus Mansion, a 19th-century historical residence that now serves as the Presidential Museum.
Do some forest bathing at Manila’s Last Lung, the Arroceros Forest Park. The park is located at Antonio Villegas St., Manila (near the corner of Padre Burgos Ave. and Taft Ave.); accessible via the NLEX Connector España Exit. I do hope the local government will do something to preserve this forested area, with over 3,000 trees surrounding the area, giving that fresh air in a quite polluted area.
You can cap the night with a good show at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Better check the CCP website and social media accounts to know what’s showing. Or you can watch Dagitab Digital show at the Liwasang Kalikhasan or the seasonal light show at the façade of the CCP Main Building. Just take a stroll and watch out for works of art displayed around the CCP Complex.
The main building might be undergoing rehabilitation, but there are still lots of activities around the complex you can do.
Whether you’re up for unwinding at Arroceros Park or you’re enthusiastic to learn more about the Philippines, there are so many great places to explore in Manila. The capital city has been one of the key cities that sits at the forefront of important historical events that shaped our nation. As NLEX Connector streamlines your travel between these destinations, you can now truly get lost in these cultural treasures and natural beauty.
