Visit These Museums For Free on International Museum Day

(SPOT.ph) ICYDK, on May 18 every year, we celebrate International Museum Day. More than being a chance for museum aficionados to visit different galleries and exhibitions sans any admission fees, International Museum Day (IMD) is a chance for museum organizations everywhere to raise awareness for their different programs. But for the greater public, the IMD is an opportunity to reflect on the role museums play as repositories of our past which—ultimately—has a significant effect in our present and future one way or another. 

This year, the celebration follows the theme "Museums for Education and Research," which highlights museums' pivotal role as dynamic educational institutions that foster learning, discovery, and cultural understanding. If you're headed to any museum celebrating IMD this coming weekend, expect many activities and workshops centered around this theme. Which museums are in on the IMD festivities, ergo are offering free entrance this weekend? We prepared a list.

Also read:
Enter Ayala Museum For Free on International Museum Day
Yuchengco Museum Waives Museum Fees for a Limited Time Only

Here are museums you can visit for free on International Museum Day:

Ayala Museum

Greenbelt Park, Makati Avenue corner Dela Rosa Street, Ayala Center, Makati
Admission is free on May 19 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

On May 19, in celebration of all things arts and culture, the Ayala Museum and the Filipinas Heritage Library are waiving all their fees just for the day. Guests can have access to all the museum's galleries for free. Aside from that, guests for International Museum Day festivities will also be among the first to see the refreshed and updated "Gold of Ancestors: Pre-colonial Treasures in the Philippines" exhibition. 

Workshops and activities will also be available on May 19. Guests can join the Arts and Crafts in Gold workshop as well as watch streams of Pre-colonial educational videos.

Yuchengco Museum

RCBC Plaza, Corner Ayala Avenue and Senator Gil J. Puyat Avenue, Makati
Admission is free from May 17 to 18, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For two days this month, entrance fees to the Yuchengco Museum are waived from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. This special offer is valid on Friday and Saturday, May 17 and 18. So, you can bask in art, history, and culture as much as you want for free. 

The Yuchengco Museum was opened in September 2005. It was originally conceived as the residence for Ambassador Alfonso T. Yuchengco's personal art assemblage, which showcases a meticulously selected array of artifacts amassed over his tenure as a diplomat, philanthropist, and art benefactor. Today, its offerings have expanded to include additional galleries and space for touring exhibitions.

GSIS Museo ng Sining

Financial Center, GSIS Building, Roxas Blvd, Pasay City
Open on Tuesdays to Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Visitors to the GSIS Museo ng Sining this Friday and Saturday will be treated to an entire day of fun games in addition to, of course, basking in the masterpieces of great Filipino artists. The museum is also hosting the acclaimed group Kontra-Gapi a.k.a., Kontemporaryong Gamelan Pilipino, for a performance featuring their gamelan or ethnic instruments. 

Already have plans this weekend? No worries. Some museums are permanently free to visit. Learn a thing or two about arts, culture, and history when you hit up these free museums in and around Metro Manila. 

Here are other museums you can visit for free every day in and around Metro Manila

National Museum

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

If there's one place you should hit up for an entire day of arts, culture, and history, it's the National Museum complex. Lucky for us, since 2016, the National Museum trifecta in Manila (National Museum of Fine Arts, National Museum of Anthropology, and the National Museum of Natural History) and all other National Museum regional and satellite centers have been free to the public 365 days a year. While we're still waiting on what activities the National Museum has in store for all museum goers this IMD, we're sure it's bound to be exciting. In previous years, the National Museum has hosted scavenger hunts and other engaging activities for kids and kids-at-heart.

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.

The Manila Clock Tower Museum features an immersive and multi-sensory experience curated to tell the history of the capital ciy. Aside from having the usual gallery featuring the leaders and officials of the city, there are also video presentations and a 3D-wall installation highlighting key moments in the Battle of Manila. Various works of art can also be viewed by visitors, including works by Rene Robles, Sherwin Paul Gonzales, Nante Carandang, and members of Tawid Gallery.

Aside from basking in art and history, don't miss out on the fantastic 360-degree view of the city you can get when you head up to the clock tower viewing deck.

 NHCP Presidential Car Museum 

Quezon Memorial Circle, Elliptical Road, Diliman,Quezon City
Open on Tuesdays to Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

More than just a repository for all the vehicles used by past presidents, the NHCP Presidential Car Museum offers a glimpse into what each of our past leaders were like. Magsaysay's Willys jeep, for example, reflects his reputation as a man of the people. The collection includes limousines used by former Presidents Emilio Aguinaldo, Manuel L. Quezon, Jose P. Laurel, Manuel Roxas, Elpidio Quirino, Ramon Magsaysay, Ferdinand Marcos, Corazon Aquino, Fidel V. Ramos, Joseph Estrada, and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. History buffs and car enthusiasts will have a field day at looking at the different automobiles present in this Quezon City gem.

Also read:
10 Museums Around the Philippines for Your Bucket List
The SPOT.ph Guide to University Museums in Metro Manila

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