WE just commemorated International Museum Day on May 18, so what better way to spend your free time and weekends than to visit a few of our excellent museums here in the city? Heritage, history, and culture are things we must cherish and protect as citizens of this country. As museums hold valuable information and relics, these places are great learning and teaching spaces not just for children and young people but also for grown-ups who must do their part in raising awareness on the importance of places like museums.
Some of the Metro Manila museums you can visit are the National Museum of the Pilippines, Ayala Museum, Yunchengco Museum, Museo de Intramuros, UST Museum, and the Mind Museum. And speaking of the National Museum, they just announced the revival of their Museum Volunteer Program. Their announcement reads: “This program is an opportunity for individuals interested in different museum-related disciplines, to assist in our various activities and learn from the experience of working with museum collections, exhibitions, and facilities.” If you or anyone you know is interested, send a CV with a letter of intent to visitorsandvolunteers@nationalmuseum.gov.ph
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AN interesting event is happening on the 26th of May at 7:00 p.m. It’s called La Nuit de Idées (The Night of Ideas), presented by the Embassy of France to the Philippines and Micronesia and the Alliance Française de Manille. The event streams live from the Ayala Museum on the Facebook pages of the French Embassy and the Alliance Française de Manille.
With the theme “(Re)building Together: Smart Ideas, Smart Projects Born during the Pandemic,” this event “seeks to serve as a platform to explore how individuals, the private sector, civil society, and government are emerging from this global crisis with new ideas and projects to rebuild the cultural sector and help institutions and artists adapt to what we now call the new normal.” Aside from the institutions mentioned, this event is being organized with the support of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Philippine-Italian Association, Art Fair Philippines, Liter of Light, the National Book Development Board, and Brave New World.
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One very fulfilling way to savor and cherish culture and heritage is by going on a real adventure to visit any of our more than seven thousand islands. The Manila walking tour guide Manilakad is reintroducing his brand to include destinations outside of Metro Manila. On June 11, he is guiding a group through Byaheng Banahaw to unwind and relax in Bangkong Kahoy Valley, a mountain resort located in between Mounts Banahaw and Cristobal.
He writes, “It lies 2,000 feet above sea level on a 21-hectare property brimming with milflores flowers and other endemic species. You can pick wild raspberry or simply try their raspberry shake. This quiet idyll can be reached via an unpaved road from the foothills of Banahaw known for mystical folk religious groups. On our way to this mountain retreat, we will pass by the National Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows, patron saint of OFWs. Earlier in the day, we will experience rafting in one of the serene Seven Lakes of San Pablo and cruise around the lake-side promenade of Sampaloc Lake.” If that entices you, send him a message through Messenger (JP Ordona or Manilakad).