The National Museum of the Philippines is a government-trusted educational, scientific, and cultural organization that collects, conserves, displays and encourages academic research and public appreciation of creations, specimens, and historical and cultural artifacts that speak to the natural history of the Philippines and the unique cultural heritage of the Filipino people.
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Along with conducting ongoing research projects in the fields of biodiversity, geological history, human origins, prehistoric and historical archaeology, maritime and underwater cultural heritage, ethnology, art history, and moveable and immovable cultural properties, they also oversee and nurture the country’s reference collections in the fields of artistic and cultural heritage and natural history.
Museums
National Museum of Anthropology
A historical narrative of the Philippines is told through artifacts that serve as proof of its prehistory, as found in the National Museum of Anthropology’s Philippine ethnographic and terrestrial and underwater archaeological collections.
National Museum of Fine Arts
Leading modern painters, sculptors, and printmakers as well as 19th-century Filipino masters are on display in 29 galleries and hallway shows at the National Museum of Fine Arts. Art loans from various government agencies, groups, and people are also on display.
National Museum of Natural History
The 12 permanent galleries of the National Museum of Natural History showcase the Philippines’ abundant biological and geological variety. Among the specimens that are imaginatively arranged to depict our distinct natural history are geological, zoological, and botanical specimens. A “Tree of Life” structure that boldly links all of the Philippines’ distinctive ecosystems—from our stunning mountain ridges to our exceptional marine reefs—is located in the center of the museum.
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National Planetarium
The National Planetarium was created to share knowledge about astronomy using a variety of media and technologies, including lectures, exhibitions, full-dome digital and mobile planetarium shows, and real-world astronomical observations.
The use of physical remnants for studying the past of humans is known as archaeology. Whatever objects that people made, altered, or utilized can be found among these remains.
Collections
The following are the collections found in the National Museum:
Archaeology
With the long-term goal of inscribing Philippine archaeological discoveries in the global scientific encyclopedia, the Archaeology Department remains steadfastly committed to the purpose of carrying out archaeological investigations in both terrestrial and underwater locations (which subsequently resulted in the establishment of the Maritime and Underwater Division).
Architectural Arts and Built Heritage
Architectural artifacts, measured architectural drawings, and photographs (in print, The Architectural Arts and Built Heritage Collection consists of architectural artifacts, measured architectural drawings, and photographs (in print, transparency, or slide format) that were a part of the record and documentation of Philippine architectural arts and built heritage. 2,450 pictures taken from the 1930s to the 1990s and 1,564 film slides about the preservation and recording of homes, churches, and other built heritage sites are included in the collection.
Botany and National Herbarium
Dr. Elmer Merrill founded the Bureau of Government Laboratories in 1901, which subsequently became the Bureau of Science, the current name of the Botany and National Herbarium Division. With more than a million specimens spanning back to the 18th century and a science library unsurpassed in the Far East, the herbarium is regarded as the biggest collection in Southeast Asia.
With its current holdings, the Philippine National Herbarium (PNH) has become the hub of the Botany Division. These collections are the outcome of both domestic collection initiatives over the past century and international exchange programs with other herbaria.
Ethnology
Comparing and analyzing the traits of various peoples and their interrelationships is the focus of ethnology, a branch of academia.
Going back to 1901, ethnology was one of the three divisions that made up the Anthropology Division, and it was once thought to be one of the institution’s oldest pillars. It covered the period when the first man discovered in the Philippines was being studied in archeological and ethnological contexts.
Fine Arts
Applied or decorative art, such as most metalwork and ceramics, must serve a utilitarian purpose, whereas fine art is made primarily for aesthetics or creative expression.
The Fine Arts Division has been dedicated to acquiring more works by women and underrepresented artists, publishing publications about the National Fine Arts Collection in print and digital formats, bolstering its Museum from Home series, and continuing to present public exhibitions.
Geology And Paleontology
Geology and paleontology are not the same. The branch of science that studies rocks is called geology. On the other hand, studying sedimentary rocks with lithified biological remains is known as paleontology, a highly specialized branch of geology.
The Department of geology and Paleontology is now focusing on creating fresh, captivating exhibits, updating its laboratories and archives to meet worldwide standards, and improving its public activities.
Maritime And Underwater Cultural Heritage
All remnants of human existence that are cultural, historical, or archaeological in nature and that have spent at least a century partially or completely submerged sometimes or permanently in lakes, rivers, and the oceans are considered to be part of the maritime and underwater cultural heritage.
Among the research and curatorial divisions established in the 2016 National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) restructuring is the Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage Division (MUCHD).
Zoology
The scientific study of animals, or zoology, covers the distribution, behavior, taxonomy, structure, and embryology of all animals—both extant and alive—as well as their interactions with their environments. One of the main areas of biology is zoology.
Founded in 1901 after the Insular Museum of Ethnology, Natural History, and Commerce, the Zoology Division of the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) is one of the oldest divisions. It was the forerunner of the General Zoology and Ornithology Division.
Even now, scientists and researchers are still working to better understand the Philippines’ fauna, with a particular emphasis on biology, ecology, and taxonomy.
Services
The following are the services offered by National Museum:
Location Shoot
This is for anyone who wishes to take pictures within the National Museum.
Shoot Agreement Form for Central Museums Form Link: https://weblinks.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/10150343/NMP-MSD-F-015-Location-Shoot-Agreement-Form-for-Central-Museums.pdf
Location Shoot Application Form Link: https://weblinks.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/10150718/NMP-MSD-Location-Shoot-Form.pdf
You can email services@nationalmuseum.gov.ph the letter of request.
Media Coverage and Interview
This is for journalists who wish to interview staff members and cover the National Museum.
Application Form Link: https://weblinks.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/17145132/Application-Form-for-Location-Shoot-and-Media-Coverage.pdf
You can email communications@nationalmuseum.gov.ph the letter of request.
Photo Reproduction of Museum Collection
This is for individuals, couples, or organizations that would like to request a working manuscript, script, storyboard, or pictures for a feature or publication.
Collection Photo Reproduction Application Form Link: https://weblinks.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/10150335/NMP-MSD-F-010-NMP-Collection-Photo-Reproduction-Application-Form.pdf
Collection Photo Reproduction Agreement Form Link: https://weblinks.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/10150337/NMP-MSD-F-011-NMP-Collection-Photo-Reproduction-Agreement-Form.pdf
You can email services@nationalmuseum.gov.ph the letter of request.
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Reservation for Museum Visit
This is for anyone who wants to make reservations for a visit to the National Museum—individuals, couples, or groups. Walk-in guests are accepted; however, groups of 20 people or more must still make reservations in advance.
Technical Assistance and other Information Services
This is for those who want to conduct research at the National Museum and need technical support.
Technical Assistance Form Link: https://weblinks.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/15132753/NMP-MSD-F-006-TA-for-School-Thesis-Other-Information-Services-Agreement-Form-version-2023-001.pdf
Project Briefer Form Link: https://weblinks.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/22151414/NMP-MSD-F-005-Project-Briefer-Form2.pdf
You can email services@nationalmuseum.gov.ph the letter of request.
Venue Rental
This is for anyone who wants to rent out an area of the National Museum for recreational or educational purposes.
Rental Agreement Form for Central Museums Link: https://weblinks.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/10150342/NMP-MSD-F-018-Venue-Rental-Agreement-Form-for-Central-Museums.pdf
Event Briefer Form Link: https://weblinks.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/29155338/NMP-MSD-F-016-Event-Briefer-Form-1.pdf
Venue Rental Application Form Link: https://weblinks.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/10150331/NMP-MSD-F-017-Venue-Rental-Application-Form.pdf
You can email services@nationalmuseum.gov.ph the letter of request.
Contact Information
Website: https://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nationalmuseumofthephilippines/
Contact Number: (+632) 8298-1100
Email Address: inquiry@nationalmuseum.gov.ph