SPOT.ph Roundup: Museums You Can Visit for Free This Week

(SPOT.ph) We cannot deny that museums serve as repositories of our past, which—ultimately—affects our present and future in one way or another. Every May 18 since 1977, we have celebrated this fact on International Museum Day, acknowledging that museums are "important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation, and peace among peoples." Around this date, museums offer free admissions or line up various events and activities that can last a day or even an entire week. Back in 2022, more than 37,000 museums in 158 countries and territories joined this annual celebration.

For 2023, International Museum Day (IMD) takes on the theme of "Museums, Sustainability, and Wellbeing," which recognizes museums as trusted institutions that contribute to achieving sustainable development goals like climate action, inclusivity, and improvement of mental health. "All museums have a role to play in shaping and creating sustainable futures," highlighted the International Council of Museums in a resolution titled "On Sustainability and the Implementation of Agenda 2030, Transforming our World," which was approved in Kyoto in 2019. This means that museums are encouraged to hold educational programs, exhibitions, community outreach, and research that are geared toward positive change.

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Here are museums in Metro Manila and nearby that offer free admission in celebration of International Museum Day:

Ayala Museum

Greenbelt Park, Makati Avenue corner Dela Rosa Street, Ayala Center, Makati
Admission is free on May 20, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

While International Museum Day is on May 18, Ayala Museum is opening its doors for free on May 20—a Saturday—to let weekday workers enjoy a culture-filled weekend. Make sure to register as soon as sign-ups open on May 19 at 3 p.m. through their website, as slots for this exclusive event are restricted. There are also going to be themed tours from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on free-admission day.

Yuchengco Museum

RCBC Plaza, Corner Ayala Avenue and Senator Gil J. Puyat Avenue, Makati
Admission is free on May 19, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.; and from May 19 to 21, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For three days, Yuchengco Museum waives its P100 admission fee in celebration of International Museum Day. Registration is not required, just be there on May 19, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.; or on May 20 or 21, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. You can catch the second public program of Woman: Thesis and Anti-thesis exhibit with speakers Karen Ocampo Flores and Lara Acuin on Saturday at 3 p.m.

Manila Clock Tower Museum

4/F Manila City Hall, Padre Burgos Avenue, Ermita, Manila
Open from Tuesday to Friday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Admission is free permanently

Opened in October 2022, the Manila Clock Tower Museum on the fourth floor of the Manila City Hall traces the history of Manila through an immersive and multi-sensory experience. It has various video presentations and 3D installations designed by Ohm David and Elba Cruz. It also houses several works of art by Filipino artists such as Rene Robles, Sherwin Paul Gonzales, Nante Carandang, and Tawid Gallery. A visual art exhibit titled Suli runs until June 2 at the Manila Clock Tower Museum.

National Museum of the Philippines

Rizal Park, Ermita, Manila
Open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission is free permanently

The National Museum of the Philippines, including the trifecta (National Museum of Fine Arts, National Museum of Anthropology, and National Museum of Natural History) located in Manila and all its other regional museums, started offering free admission on June 30, 2016, much to the delight of museum-goers. In celebration of International Museum Day on May 18, they're having the fun and educational Scavenger Hunt, where attendees can search through the museum's collections and look for clues to solve a puzzle.

Registration started as early as May 12. While slots are already filled, you can still check out one (or all) of the three museums and learn more about Philippine history and culture at any other time of year. 

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Casa Manila Museum

Plaza San Luis, Intramuros, Manila
Open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m
Admission is free on May 18

Casa Manila presents a glimpse into the opulent living of affluent Philippine families during the 19th century, portraying their lifestyle through a collection of vintage furniture and colonial artworks. These valuable artifacts find their suitable home within a bahay-na-bato, a traditional Filipino house constructed in the 1980s that echoes the Spanish colonial era.

Pinto Art Museum

1 Sierra Madre Street, Grand Heights Road, Antipolo, Rizal
Open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission is free on May 23

ArtNet has previously recognized Pintô Art Museum as one of the most popular museums on Instagram, attributing its appeal to the intricate corridors, well-kept lawns, gardens, and aesthetically pleasing lounges. Additionally, a new section called Gallery 7 was introduced in January 2020. After a closure of over a year due to the pandemic, the museum reopened its doors to the public on October 20, 2021. Visitors can now explore Pintô Gardens, Pintô Arboretum, and enjoy refreshments at Cafe Rizal by Papermill.

UPDATE (May 19, 2023): This article has been edited to include other museums that are opening their doors for free in celebration of International Museum Day.