PSA: The Metropolitan Museum Is Waiving Entrance Fees for Five Days This Month

(SPOT.ph) It’s another rainy week ahead, Spotters. While the monsoon season’s endless downpour might put a damper on your plans for outdoor dates, beach trips, and picnics, it’s also a good excuse to explore Metro Manila’s many indoor attractions.

Case in point: If you’re looking for an artsy side quest this week, consider a visit to The Metropolitan Museum (also fondly called The M) in BGC. The private museum is waiving its usual entrance fee from August 18 to 23, so you can get your culture fix without spending a peso.

The zero-peso entry applies all week long except on August 21, a holiday.

To score free entry, all you need to do is register online with your basic details and preferred date of visit. If you're all about spontaneity, The M does allow walk-ins. But TBH, you’ll still need to complete a registration form upon arrival. So, you might as well save yourself the hassle and book a slot before you go. Just make sure you get there before the final cut-off for entry at 5:30 p.m.

The M regularly changes the exhibits on view, and your free pass will grant you access to every gallery and exhibition currently on display. Right now, you can catch Behind the Lens: Cultural and Border Crossings, which features an exhibit focused on learning more about the photographers behind the camera and what their art says about them. This features photographs by F. Sionil Jose, George Gascon, Romeo Gacad, and Xyza Cruz Bacani.

Alongside this is an exhibit titled The Power of Engagement, featuring several artworks from the museum collection.

The museum also offers interactive in-house games to make the experience more immersive. It's also a great way to rest between galleries and keep younger visitors engaged throughout.

Although not included with free museum admission, The M also regularly hosts art workshops on various topics. If you're a tactile learner or just in the market to pick up new skills in the arts, keep an eye out for their schedules when they're released.

On August 22, The M will hold a Tenugui workshop. This activity will teach participants all about the traditional Japanese art form of creating a tapestry for a multi-purpose cloth using basic screen‑printing techniques guided by designer Jan Vincent Sarabia Ong. Join this workshop in person for just P1,300, inclusive of all necessary materials. Sign up for this class online ASAP, as slots are limited and are on a first-come, first-served basis.

Additionally, this year, every Saturday from July to November, they are holding a series of Printmaking workshops. Here you can learn about different printmaking techniques, create your own original prints, and experiment with editions and color variations. These will be through guided hands-on activities facilitated by esteemed Printmakers: Ambie Abaño, Henrielle Baltazar Pagkaliwagan, Jone Sibugan, and Anton Villaruel.

Limited slots are available, so make sure to check the museum's social media pages for updates on workshop schedules and registration details.

But if visiting this week isn't in the cards for you, don't worry. The Metropolitan Museum of Manila is open to the public regularly from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays to Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Without the free admission promo, you can explore all the galleries and exhibits at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila with a regular all-access pass, which usually goes for P300 for adults, P240 for senior citizens and PWDs, and P150 for students.

Groups visiting together can also typically opt for a bundle that hooks you up with six tickets for the price of five. Children aged four and below can come in for free.

You can book your tickets online or buy onsite.

For more information, check out the Metropolitan Museum of Manila Facebook page.