National Museum of the Philippines – Cebu

“Aduana,” a name echoing with whispers of the past, houses the National Museum of the Philippines – Cebu. The National Museum of the Philippines – Cebu opened its doors on August 1st, 2023. It stands within the historic Aduana Building, once known as Malacañang sa Sugbo, a structure that has witnessed Cebu’s transformation through time. The building itself is a story. Constructed in 1910, it served as the customs house for nearly a century, surviving the scars of World War II. Later, it briefly housed the presidency before an earthquake in 2013 rendered it unsafe. Now, restored and repurposed, it safeguards Cebu’s heritage within the National Museum of the Philippines – Cebu. Your journey begins on the right side of the entrance. Paintings depict the arrival of the Spaniards, pivotal moments like the planting of Magellan’s Cross and the Battle of Mactan. The “Kinaiyahan: Cebu’s Natural Wonders” gallery showcases the island’s unique flora and fauna. A large model of a butanding, the whale shark that graces Oslob’s waters, commands attention. Rocks, millions of years old, whisper tales of ancient ecosystems. The museum even displays samples of Cebu’s energy resources, like the crude oil from Alegria, the only onshore oil field in the Philippines. Mobile Museum Boxes protect dioramas of iconic landscapes, like Bohol’s Chocolate Hills. The second gallery unveils treasures unearthed from the island’s past. Jewelry, ceramics, and burial pots, excavated from sites like San Remigio and Plaza Independencia, offer glimpses into pre-colonial funerary practices. The “Paglawig” gallery explores the nation’s maritime heritage. Artifacts from shipwrecks, including weaponry from the San Diego, a 17th-century warship, are on display. Replicas of bangkas, traditional fishing boats, stand alongside primitive fishing tools. The second floor houses the art of Martino “Tinong” Abellana, the Dean of Cebuano painters. His masterpiece depicts Cebuanos resisting foreign invaders. A replica of Victoria, the sole ship to return from Magellan’s circumnavigation, stands as a testament to a pivotal voyage. Religious artifacts, including depictions of Sto. Niño, Cebu’s patron saint, and paintings of historic churches, grace the exhibit. Finally, the Philippine Center New York Core Collection of 1974 showcases vibrant abstract art from the 1970s. The National Museum of the Philippines – Cebu is more than a museum; it is a testament to Cebu’s enduring spirit. It is a place where the past converses with the present, ensuring that the stories of Cebu continue to inspire and resonate.