National Museum of the Philippines, Cebu City

What I am featuring today is a truly one of a kind travel, exploration, and discoveries which I have experienced and maybe I can share a bit information and knowledge to others, then aside to let the world knows of some other historical site of Cebu and its pride which somebody didn't know.

So just stay tune and keep reading because I'll show you or I'll tour you around the museum.

National Museum of the Philippines – is a national museum found in Cebu City which under the National Museum of the Philippines system that is located in A. Pigafetta St., Cebu City.

Previously, the museum is the Aduana building or Bureau of Customs office at the port of Cebu City, it is a two-level building which originally constructed in 1910.

Where the technical details, architectural, structural, and lightings system is purely American-style, which the floor is in wood tiles and windows are made of capiz shells and the structure itself is in reinforced concrete construction.

In fact, it was designed by an American architect William E. Parsons, who serves as the architect of the Philippine government from 1905 to 1914. Which he developed his own plan for the city of Cebu and as being the first building constructed under that plan, where the building served as the Customs office until year 2004.

With some ownership issues, the building was converted as Malacañang Palace in Visayas, and it was named after the Malacañang Palace in Manila. Which it serves as the official residence of the president of the Republic of the Philippines in the Visayas.

And in 2019 and through some heritage recognition, the building was declared as national cultural treasure and later conversion into a national museum in Central Visayas. Inwhich the museum was inaugurated on July 28, 2023, and formally opens to the public on August 1, 2023.

So, what are the important things to do when you're in the museum?

First of all, you'll need to wait for your turn because in every visitors it is in batch by batch basis, first batch-first serve, and wait until the information officer call for your batch to proceed inside the museum and have your registration, in fact, the admission is really free, meaning - no entrance fee. And if it is already inside, kindly observe and follow the museum guidelines accordingly and to avoid any fines.

In fact, when you're about to enter the display room you will notice the illumination of lights that reflect the eyeballs, inwhich in every portion of the museum is spotless and it is really a well-organized, which it showcase not only the history of the entire Cebu but also the rich of its natural resources, from the land animals to sea creatures that once grows and lived here.

And what is inside and what you expect in the museum?

The Cebu Tamaraw, in fact, it is the first well supported fossil example of the island dwarfing in the family of bovidae, which its discovery supports the idea that the living tamaraw in Mindoro, from its bigger size it evolves to a smaller size because it lives on an island.

Just like an island of Cebu, in fact, it is a place of competition of few food supply and limitted space. Inwhich the bigger the animal, the more rssources it would needs inorder to survive and grow in a small environment, inwhich large animals often evolves smaller bodies, which the process is known "island dwarfism".

The different species of land or sea birds, and bats that exist in the island of Cebu.

From land animals going to sea creatures, such as mud crab, sharks, seaweeds, starfish, seashells, crustaceans, and a specie of corals.

The differents kinds of rocks, stones or boulders, and the various fossils of seashells that can be found in Cebu.

The tools and equipments used in traditional fishing, fishing traps, and even the contents of salvaged shipwrecks around the island.

The different designs of fishing boats that every towns of Cebu had, and that are being used as the means of transportation for livelihood.

The swivel guns and cannon remains that was used in war during the ancient times.

The paintings and art galleries are mostly from the works of Cebuano known painter Martino Abellana which is a native from Carcar City in Cebu, which it includes, the Philippine National Hero - Dr. Jose P. RIizal painting, the Battle of Mactan - inwhich the fight of our native hero in Lapu-lapu - Datu Lapu-lapu against the Spanish navigator Ferdinand Magellan and his men paintings, and in a climate-controlled with humidifiers which helps in preserving.

The various kinds of artifacts that was dig in the whole municipalities and cities of Cebu, and making it admirable for some visitors.

If you really a tourist who loves a collection of souvenir items, then you can avail some souvenir items that came from Cebu, like key holders, figurines, shirts and other local products.

It serves as an educational, scientific and cultural institution that acquires a documentation, preservation, exhibition, and fostering a study and public appreciation of the works of art, specimens, and other cultural and historical artifacts representations of the unique cultural heritage of the Filipino people and the natural history of Cebu.

The museum also provides a parking space, in fact, it is enough to accommodate for any types of vehicle and it is free to parked for all visitors. And for those tourists who have riden with their car, don't need to worry because the museum provides a wide, open, and spacious parking space infront of it.

Cited you a fare scenario like in my case, which I'm came from Lapu-lapu City and where also Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) also situated, I am going to ride a public utility bus (PUB) with a route of Mactan to Parkmall with a fare of (0.63 US$), then ride again with PUB route Parkmall to Colon with a fare of (0.44 US$) then I drop-off in M.J Cuenco Avenue, corner Vicente Gullas Street.

From there, I walk by foot in about 10 minutes maximum and to reach Plaza Independencia main entrance but if you ride with your private car, tell your driver to drop-off National Museum of the Philippines designated parking area which is infront of the museum and it is free to parked.

Honestly, one hour is not enough to fully explore, discover and appreciates everything in the museum.

In fact, I highly recommend for both local and international tourists to come and visit the place for an amazing experience if you're in Cebu.