Often regarded as the most illustrious museum and cultural institution in the Philippines the Ayala Museum is no ordinary tourist attraction in the country’s capital. Home to some of the nation’s finest collections of art and artefacts the venue explores the historic and cultural legacy of the country with its large catalogue of exhibits. Located in Metro Manila the museum is easily accessible to visitors based in a city hotel in Manila Philippines the likes of the Berjaya Makati Hotel among many others in the heart of the metropolis.
Having opened its doors to the public back in1967 the museum has been renovated and refurbished and moved from the Insular Life Building and then later to the Old Makati Stock Exchange Building to its current location in a brand new six storey structure designed by Leandro Y. Locsin, Jr. the brainchild of Fernando Zóbel de Ayala y Montojo the museum is more than a typical ethnographic museum space with artistic showcases as the institution also documents the country’s historic, creative and cultural evolution with its diverse catalogue of art and artefacts.
Attracting a whopping 64,000 visitors annually the venue’s permanent exhibitions include The Pioneers of Philippine Art which highlights the works of Filipino great the likes of Amorsolo, Zobel and Luna while the country’s connection to the mineral gold is explored in the Gold of Ancestor exhibit which showcases over 1000 objects made from the precious metal over the centuries. Some of the most intriguing pieces on show at the museum include the Maritime Vessels exhibit which houses several historic war crafts which were not only influential in various battles but also the country’s trade industry and colonial commercial endeavours. Fans of ceramics and Southeast Asian porcelain work should also check out “A Millennium of Contact” which displays over 500 exquisite items. Since 2013 the museum also contains the Filipinas Heritage Library which is an invaluable asset to researchers.
Roland Lefevre is a travel writer who specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe. Google+
