(SPOT.ph) The University of Sto. Tomas is the oldest existing university in Asia and housed within its walls is the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Museum, the oldest existing museum in the country. Founded in 1869, the UST Museum was established following a mandate by the Spanish government that required all first-class colleges to have a museum. It has since been home to various exhibits: from art to natural history, and memorabilia. It has survived many earthquakes, a change in location, and even World War II. Fortunately, Japanese soldiers respected and preserved the museum in deference to the Spaniard’s neutrality during the war. It might be safe to say that the UST museum is a lasting presence in Manila’s arts and culture scene. But in 2020, just like everything else in the world, the UST museum shut its doors. For the first time in a long time, its future was uncertain. Lucky for us, the pandemic situation is now easing up and just like how it survived all those tragedies in the past, the UST Museum is back. It reopened on August 3, according to a Facebook post.
This coincides with the resumption of face-to-face classes for the upcoming school year. The UST Museum has also updated its operating hours to include a Monday schedule of 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. while maintaining its usual Tuesday to Friday schedule of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The museum is located at the UST Main Building and is open for walk-ins for both Thomasians and non-Thomasians.
Also read: 10 Philippine Museums and Galleries You Can Visit From Home
Here is what you can expect to see at the UST Museum in Manila City:
The Coin Collection
Though the museum’s coin collection was started, maintained, and developed out of sheer personal interest of the Dominican professors, it has since become the product of a long-sustained interest in historical and cultural research. After all, coins have been a tool of the trade since time immemorial and are indicative of historical and cultural variations in a society. The ones displayed at the Museum Hall are just a sampling of coins with significant cultural value.
The Ethnology Collection
This collection serves as a vivid record for all who wish to have a deeper understanding of Philippine culture. The artifacts have been carefully collected and curated to include the different tribal divisions of the country. The collection contains items used as weapons, kitchen wares, religious paraphernalia, personal decors, and musical instruments.
The Medals
The collection of medals in the UST Museum is not extensive, but it does hold significant cultural and educational value. Included in the collection are medals for awards of religious, civic, military, academic, and social service achievements.
The Memorabilia
This collection contains items significant to the university either as part of ceremonious events or as souvenirs from the countless prominent and ordinary men and women who have shaped the country’s history.
Natural History
A favorite collection among visitors, the Natural History collection contains specimens of Philippine fauna. The collection contains stuffed specimens of animals endemic to the Philippines many of which are either endangered or already extinct. Aside from that, the museum also houses an immense collection of shells gathered through many years of fieldwork and research.
Visual Arts
The collection includes painting from the 16th to the 20th century. It can be categorized into those having religious significance such as portraits of Popes, Bishops, and religious subjects done by Spanish and Filipino artists; and those works of art that showcase the period of Philippine painting from the latter part of the 19th century to the present. Artists include Juan Luna, Fernando Amorsolo, Carlos Francisco, and Vicente Manansala among others.
The Hall of Philippine Religious Images
The images come from various parts of the country such as Ilocos, Pangasinan, Laguna, and the Visayas. They are collected for their value in imparting the sense of Filipino Catholicism.
The museum started as an observation room with a collection of mineral, botanical, and biological specimens often used in pharmacy and medicine under the old Spanish curriculum. It houses the main museum gallery, a souvenir shop, and a mini-library. The museum gallery also served as the venue for art exhibitions. Guests are welcome to walk in, but for groups exceeding 15 members, a reservation via e-mail is required.
The UST Museum is at the University of Santo Tomas' Main Building, España Boulevard, Sampaloc, Manila City. It is open every Monday, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and from Tuesday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Entrance fee is P30 for non-Thomasians, and P50 for Thomasian professionals. Admission is free for Thomasian students, staff, and alumni. For updates, follow UST Museum on Facebook.
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