Author: Kyla Zarate

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Museum of Arts and Sciences is the oldest existing museum in the Philippines.

The nucleus of the UST Musuem’s collection was the gabinete de fisica, a collection of animal, mineral and vegetable specimens.

Here are some:

It is one of the most endangered crocodilian species.

It is one of the world’s longest snake.

Also an endangered species and is prominent in Tawi-Tawi Islands, Palawan.

A common mistake of some people is calling Pawikans, Pagong and vice versa. Two are actually totally different. Pawikans cannot hide themselves in their shells while Pagongs can. Additionally, Pawikans spend most of their lives on the water while Pagongs stay on land.

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There are also collections of sea animals and coral reefs.

And sea shells; each has their name.

I have found Dory. She’s getting skinny.

And let our song be: MANOK NA PULA

Anong sabi ng paniki nung sinisisi sya?

“BAT ako?”

HAHAHAHAHA

Kidding aside, UST Museum also has its own gallery.

It is inaugurated, re-occupying its original space of mezzanine level’s right wing. Having come full circle, the museum also seeks to keep moving forward by presenting works not only by the Filipino masters but also by rising contemporary talent – the first University-based art gallery in the country remaining relevant and integral to our cultural heritage.

Here are the works of some Filipino artists:

In this portrait of a young woman selling fruit, Amorsolo lends his subject an air of quiet dignity and simple, thoroughly Filipina beauty.

The quick, furtive glance of the shoeshine boy in this painting seems to convey mistrust, or resentment at having to sit and thereby lose business, perhaps?

This work by Manansala won first prize in the Filipiniana category during the first National Painting contest.

The Bridge of Sighs in Venice, Italy, is a world famous tourist attraction, both for its tragic and romantic value – it is said that the bridge is the last thing convicts saw before their imprisonment in the old dungeons, while a local relates that lovers who kiss in a gandola at sunset beneath the bridge will be granted lifelong happiness.

The museum also has oriental arts collection.

The UST Museum is open every Monday, 1:00 p.m – 5:00 p.m; Tuesday to Friday, 8:30 a.m – 5:00 p.m

Free entrance fee to UST students and faculty members.

For non-thomasians, the fees are as follows:
Professional-PHP. 50
Student-PHP. 30

It is located inside the University in Espanya Boulevard, Sampaloc, Manila.

Are you an aspiring writer? Well, first things first, a writer is a reader. You can’t be a good writer if you haven’t been reading anything.

Casa Real is a place where you can most understand the importance of writing.

The Casa Real of Malolos Bulacan served as the office of the National Printing Press of the revolutionary government. This printing press was used from 1898 to 1899 under the press director, Zacarias Fajardo.

Do you ever wonder who said the line, “noli me tangere” (touch me not)?

PM me for the answer. haha

This is a replica of the stove where Rizal kept his last poem

The poem was originally written in spanish and was not given any title. Rizal hid the paper containing the poem in an alcohol stove which was later given to his sister Narcisa. Later, Mariano Ponce had the poem published in Hong Kong and gave it the title “Mi Ultimo Pensamiento” (My Last Farewell).

I must suggest, read the poem!!!

Another possible poem was written in a piece of paper hidden in Rizal’s shoes but the text became unreadable so its content remains a mystery.

Trivia: The oldest document in the Philippines is Laguna Copperplate Inscription that dates back to 900 CE. Discovered in 1989 in Laguna, it indicates literacy, culture and interconnectedness of pre-Hispanic Philippines and Southeast Asia.

In the course of the trade, many cultural interactions took place such as culinary and linguistic exchanges.

The collection of various documents, articles and journals written by our Filipino men.

The face of education and government with the hands of colonizers, dictators and public servants:

For early Filipinos, the mountain served as the place of refugee in time of conflict in the lowlands

It is thus no surprise that our freedom and nation were born in the mountains; The Katipunan declared the revolution in the forest of Balintawak in 1896.

The revolution continued in Biak-na-Bato in 1987;

And the Philippine Republic was kept alive in the Cordilleras and Sierra Madre.

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Do you learn something new? Wander and learn more about Casa Real. It is located at 3 Paseo del Congreso St. Malolos, Bulacan. Opens from Tuesday to Sunday, 8:00 a.m – 4:00 p.m. No entrance fee. Picture taking is most welcome. For commercial purposes, kindly inform the MKPP personnel.

Are you ready to write your own? Start now! As Jodi Picoult said, “You can always edit a bad page but you can’t edit a blank page.”

Any suggestion sa ating next wander? Comment it down below. 🙂

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Missed the free activities prepared by the Department of Science and Technology and PAGASA on the celebration of 27th National Astronomy Week? Cheer up little astrophile!. National Planetarium is there for you to wander.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome on board. Please fasten your seat belts. We are expected to be in the air in approximately 30 seconds time. Thank you and enjoy your flight.

First stop,

You don’t need to edit your photos! Sun is as close as you can imagine.

All you need is to bring your most supporting friend slash photographer to capture the shot you want.

Stargazing on the wall? It’s possible!

Chroma no more mwahaha

Caution: Astrophile spotted! Don’t try to be this close on the wall like this one. It’s prohibited for the preservation of the facility.

Next stop,

The mystery of star constellation to routes! I am still amazed.

There are also myths and legends about the creation of the universe. The museum tells three famous stories from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

This is a story of a man from Skyworld who married a woman from Underworld. They had many children from whom the Ibaloi descended.

The legend of King Manaul who pecked a stem which emerged from one node a man, and a woman from another. He named the man Sikalak and the Woman sikabay, both of whom were the ancestor of humankind.

The story of Diwata who created the sea, land, trees, clouds and rainbows.

Trivia:

The hours between 8am to 10am is usually the time that chickens would lay their eggs. This is why among the old Tagalogs, this time period is referred to as pangingitlog manok (meaning chicken laying eggs).

The National Planetarium offers shows.

The museum is located between the Japanese Garden and the Chinese Garden at the Rizal Park, Padre Burgos Avenue, Ermita, Manila.

On behalf of the Ikot Museo, thank you for joing us on this trip. and we are looking forward to seeing you on board again. Have a nice day!

Any suggestions for our next trip mga ka-wander? Please comment down below. Don’t forget to like and share. Captain now taking off!

Ni hao! Let’s explore Chinese history and culture as we wander inside Bahay Tsinoy.

Learn and get thrilled with wax-made figures which meant to represent Chinese culture.

Kaishi ba! (Let’s start)

The Galleon Trade linked the Chinese junk trading system to Acapulco and to the rest of Europe. Through the galleons, corn, coffee, camote and tobacco from Mexico were introduced in the Philippines and China.

He called his working table, tokoy, to which he attached the lekyo, a board on which his actual work was done.

A variety of peddlers carrying their wares or tools of their trade had their origins in the Parian.

A Chinese cobbler has his kit in baskets supported by a stick across his shoulder. Shoes can be mended in the streets or anywhere convenient.

For a fee, a public reader reads and writes letters for illiterate Chinese.

This is a silk market where raw silk was stored and traded. It was established by a Royal decree in 1758. The market was put up in 1822 to the right of the Pasig River in the Muella de la Industria. It was built with stores in the ground floor and living spaces in the upper floors.

A prosperous merchant sells silk, cotton, damask, and brocade in his stall.

He carries a chair, scissors, and razor, and gives a haircut or shaves anyone, anywhere.

Many churches, monasteries, hospitals and stone houses were built by Chinese laborers. Bricks and roof tiles were manufactured by them too.

The Philippines’ and Asia’s first woman president. She was thrust to the political front after the assassination in 1963 of her husband Benigno Aquino Jr., then president Ferdinand Marcos’s strongest opponent.

The first Tsinoy chosen for the highest position in the clergy. He backed CorazonAquino’s “people revolution” which ousted Marcos.

He earned the sobriquet, conscience of the Supreme Court, because he often argued against his colleagues who were the majority, and accused Marcos, who had designated him justice secretary, and the military of human rights.

He served as secretary of the Interior and Local Government in the administration of the President Benigno S. Aquino III, and was a bench-mark for good governance and excellence in public service.

He lead a bloody rear guard action against the Japanese troops and although outnumbered, had fought valiantly.

Daughter of Fookien Times publisher Jimmy Go Puan Seng. She made her mark in Philippine media as co-founder of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, and helped establish the Philippine Star.

For his original compositions and scores for 26 movies, Jose Mari was nominated from 1970 to 1974 by the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Science (FAMAS) and named one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men in 1974

This table was used by the leader of Chinese guerilla unit. A mechanism inside the drawer opens a secret compartment under the table top, which can hide ten guns and secret documents.

Did you know?

Jose Rizal is a Chinese mestizo

gulat din ako eh hakhak

And Of course,

Education, Culture, Spiritual and Values Development

Want to drop by?

The museum is housed within the Kaisa Angelo King Heritage Center building in Intramuros, Manila. Opens from Tuesday to Sunday 1:00-5:00PM. Entranrce Fee: PHP100; PHP80; PHP60

The entrance fee will go to the Kaisa Para sa Kaunlaran, Inc.

It aimed at promoting the integration of the Tsinoys into the Philippine society.

Did you earn knowledge at our bowuguan tansuo (museum exploration)? Wander and experience it yourself. Ciao! 🙂

“not all those who wander are lost”

— J.R.R Tolkien

Museum is a place to look back on our history; preserved documents, photographs and antiques are way beautiful at closer look.

Are you a palaeophile (someone who is fond of ancient things)? Yes? Yes. Ikot museo is for you. It features different museums in urban area and gives information you all need. Brace yourself and get your camera ready. Let’s wander and learn!