National Museum of Anthropology the museum that I visited on October 6, 2024, I was blessed to tour the National Museum of Anthropology, Manila-a place where history, culture, and architecture join together to share the story of the Filipino identity. The museum is the life-giving entity to the wealth of ethnographic and archaeological heritage of the Philippines amid the wide complex of the National Museum.
The first structure to grab my attention as I entered was
"Tree of Life," a marvelous modern architectural landmark situated
right inside the atrium of the museum. It is not only a visual wonder; it's
also symbolic and utilitarian in nature. The structure itself is a tall steel
pillar that holds up a glass elevator, carrying travelers vertically along the
museum's different exhibitions. Rising on the elevator, I couldn't help but be
impressed by the perfect combination of form and function, symbolic growth,
connectivity, and cultural continuity.
The Tree of Life is not only a structure it is a metaphor for the rich and colorful
cultural roots of the Philippines. Sitting at the center of the museum, it
seems deliberate, as if reminding all visitors that our common identity is
nourished by the richness of our indigenous people, customs, and beliefs.
Throughout my tour, I visited several galleries containing
pre-colonial artifacts, indigenous artful wear, ancient writings, and ornate
early Filipino tools. Each of these exhibits was an immersion into another
facet of life for Filipinos from Luzon's mountains to Mindanao's shores. What
made visiting more interesting was the way the museum not only curated these
displays but also in so doing encouraged appreciation and an awareness of our
multicultural heritage.
My visit to the National Museum of Anthropology wasn't only
informative it was also personally reflective. It brought to mind how vital it
is to hold on and learn from our past in order to more effectively chart our
future. And having the Tree of Life standing firmly in the middle, it was a
soft reminder that our heritage is resilient, and our culture just keeps
growing.
If you ever get to Manila, I will highly suggest a visit since it’s just near to United Nations which are a terminal in LRT 1 so if you’re in Sta Cruz, Laguna you would just need to ride a bus to Buendia then ride the Gil Puyat Station which also a LRT 1 station which will go to United Nations terminal. Don't just make your way through the displays take a minute to look up, feel the vibes, and take the elevator through the Tree of Life. It's a trip well worth taking.
The first structure to grab my attention as I entered was
"Tree of Life," a marvelous modern architectural landmark situated
right inside the atrium of the museum. It is not only a visual wonder; it's
also symbolic and utilitarian in nature. The structure itself is a tall steel
pillar that holds up a glass elevator, carrying travelers vertically along the
museum's different exhibitions. Rising on the elevator, I couldn't help but be
impressed by the perfect combination of form and function, symbolic growth,
connectivity, and cultural continuity.
The Tree of Life is not only a structure it is a metaphor for the rich and colorful cultural roots of the Philippines. Sitting at the center of the museum, it seems deliberate, as if reminding all visitors that our common identity is nourished by the richness of our indigenous people, customs, and beliefs.
Throughout my tour, I visited several galleries containing pre-colonial artifacts, indigenous artful wear, ancient writings, and ornate early Filipino tools. Each of these exhibits was an immersion into another facet of life for Filipinos from Luzon's mountains to Mindanao's shores. What made visiting more interesting was the way the museum not only curated these displays but also in so doing encouraged appreciation and an awareness of our multicultural heritage.
My visit to the National Museum of Anthropology wasn't only
informative it was also personally reflective. It brought to mind how vital it
is to hold on and learn from our past in order to more effectively chart our
future. And having the Tree of Life standing firmly in the middle, it was a
soft reminder that our heritage is resilient, and our culture just keeps
growing.
