International travelers have returned to the Philippines and social gatherings are back to normal. For tourists in transit in Manila for a few days and urban dwellers who need to entertain visiting balikbayans and relatives near the Intramuros area, the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) complex’s three central museums, namely the Museum of Fine Arts, Anthropology and Natural History, are worth a visit.

As of March 2023, entrance is free and no reservations are required to visit the three museums, which are located within easy walking distance of each other. These three major museums are fairly large, and contain over four to six floors each. Going around each museum could easily take 1-2 hours.

The museums are generally quiet (especially if you go on weekdays), and are family-friendly and senior-friendly with ramps and elevators to the different floors.

In case you’re planning to visit all three museums in one trip, I would recommend starting with the Museum of Fine Arts first in the morning when it opens at 9:00 am, crossing over to the Museum of Anthropology across the street (since these two are nearer each other), taking a break for lunch, and then finishing up with the Museum of Natural History in the afternoon. However, if you don’t have a whole day to spare, you could just pick one or two museums to visit, depending on your interests.

Here are the latest guidelines and tips to help make the most of your visit to three of the central National Museums of the Philippines this 2023.

National Museum of Fine Arts

The National Museum of Fine Arts is an arts museum in Manila established in 1998 that houses a collection of paintings and sculptures by classical Filipino artists.

The National Museum of Fine Arts is currently home to 29 galleries and hallway exhibitions comprising of 19th century Filipino masters, National Artists, leading modern painters, sculptors, and printmakers. Also on view are art loans from other government institutions, organizations, and individuals.

Notable masterpieces here include the paintings and sculptures by classical Filipino artists such as Spoliarium and The Parisian Life by Juan Luna, and artwork by Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, and Guillermo Tolentino. Other notable artwork includes: Recuerdo de Patay (Memento Mori) of a Child, The Burning of Manila, Rape and Massacre in Ermita, Noli Me Tangere and The Assassination of Governor Bustamante and His Son.

First Floor

• The Judiciary Floor
• The Government William H. Taft Entrance
• The Architect Juan M. Arellano Foyer
• The Sandiganbayan Reception Hall
• Seminar Rooms
• The National Fine Arts Repository
• The National Archaeological Repository, Auditorium (North Annex)
• Administrative Offices (South Annex)

Second Floor

• The House of Representatives Floor.
• The Padre Jose Burgos Entrance
• The President Manuel Roxas Foyer
• The Spoliarium Hall
• Exhibition Galleries I to XII
• The President Sergio Osmena Function Hall

Third Floor

• The Senate Floor
• The President Manuel L. Quezon Foyer
• Exhibition Galleries XIII to XXIV
• The Senate Session Hall (Main Level)
• The Senator Claro M. Recto Function Hall

Fourth Floor

• The Executive Floor
• The Senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr. Foyer
• Exhibition of Galleries XXV to XXIX
• The Senate Session Hall (Mezzanine Level)
• The President Jose P. Laurel Function Hall, Management Offices

The museum is housed in the Old Legislative Building (also known as the Old Congress Building), along Padre Burgos Street. This neoclassical building built in 1921 originally housed legislative bodies of the Philippine government.

National Museum of Anthropology

The National Museum of Anthropology, established in 1988, houses Ethnological and Archaeological exhibitions of the Philippines, including the wreck of the San Diego, ancient artifacts, and zoology divisions. This museum also contains a model of an Ifugao house in the courtyard of the building.

The National Museum of Anthropology showcases the Philippine ethnographic and terrestrial and underwater archaeological collections narrating the story of the Philippines from the past, as presented through artifacts as evidence of its pre-history.

First floor

• Hallway leading to the offices
• Ifugao House / Courtyard
• Office of the Exhibition, Editorial, and Media Production Services Division
• Office of the Museum Foundation of the Philippines
• Office of the Archaeology Division
• Office of the Ethnology Division
• Office of the Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage Division
• National Museum Library

Second floor

• The San Diego: 500 Years of Maritime Trade Gallery
• Garing: The Philippines at the Crossroads of Ivory Trade Gallery
• Marble Hall
• The San Diego: 500 Years of Maritime Trade
• Garing: The Philippines at the Crossroads of Ivory Trade

Third floor

• Lantaka: Of War and Peace
• Manlilikha ng Bayan Hall (National Living Treasure)
• Lumad: Mindanao
• Faith, Tradition and Place: Bangsamoro Art from the National Ethnographic Collection
• Kaban ng Lahi (Archaeological Treasures)
• Biyay: Traditional Ecological Knowledge among Philippine Negrito Communities

Fourth floor

• Reception Hall (Changing Gallery)
• Rice, Biodiversity and Climate Change
• Hibla ng Lahing Filipino: The Artistry of Philippine TextilesBaybayin: Ancient and Traditional Scripts of the Philippines
• Entwined Spheres: Mats and Baskets as Containers, Costumes and Conveyors
• Office of the Museum Services Division

Fifth floor

• National Ethnographic Collection Repositories

The National Museum of Anthropology is located in the Agrifina Circle or Rizal Park, adjacent to the National Museum of Fine Arts building. The building formerly housed the Department of Finance before it was turned into a museum.

National Museum of Natural History

The National Museum of Natural History, opened in 2017, houses 12 permanent galleries spread over six floors, which exhibit the rich biological and geological diversity of the Philippines. It includes creatively curated displays of botanical, zoological, and geological specimens that represent our unique natural history.

Situated at the center of the museum is a “Tree of Life” structure that connects all the unique ecosystems in the Philippines, from our magnificent mountain ridges to the outstanding marine reefs.

First Floor

• Tree of Life foyer (Introduction to the Museum)
• Lower Entrance Hall
• Lower Courtyard
• Education and Function Halls
• Visitor Services

Second Floor

• Gallery XI (Our Natural Inheritance)
• Gallery XII (Temporary Exhibitions)
• Upper Entrance Hall
• Upper Courtyard
• Reception Hall

Third Floor

• Gallery IX (Mangroves, Beaches and Intertidal Zones)
• Gallery X (The Marine Realm)

Fourth Floor

• Gallery V (Mossy, Montane and Pine Forests)
• Gallery VI (Lowland Evergreen Rainforests)
• Gallery VII (Ultramafic and Limestone Karst Forests)
• Gallery VIII (Freshwater Wetlands)

Fifth Floor

• Gallery I (Philippine Biodiversity)
• Gallery II (The Geology of the Philippines)
• Gallery III (Minerals and Energy Resources)
• Gallery IV (Life Through Time)

Sixth Floor

• Roof Garden
• Function Halls
• National Museum Conference Center

The National Museum of Natural History is located along Agrifina Circle in Rizal Park, Manila.

New rules and guidelines (updated March 2023)

• Walk-in visitors are welcome but advance online booking is still required for groups of 20 persons and above through reservations.nationalmuseum.gov.ph at least one (1) day before the planned visit. Same day bookings will not be
  entertained.
• Guided tours are available subject for approval and availability of Museum Guides. Letter of request should be sent to cmvod@nationalmuseum.gov.ph.

Visiting Hours

The National Museum of Fine Arts, National Museum of Anthropology, and National Museum of Natural History are open to the public from Tuesdays to Sundays (except religious holidays) from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Visitors can enter at least 30 minutes before closing time. Entrance is FREE.

Who may visit

• Fully vaccinated adults and minors (proof of vaccination and photo ID is
  required)
• Unvaccinated minors should be accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult

Prohibited items

Baggage counters are available upon entry. Big bags, umbrellas, and tumblers must be deposited at the counters. The following items are NOT permitted inside the museum buildings:

• Art materials (including ink pens) other than pencils
• Bags and luggage larger than 33 x 43 cm (13 x 17 in)
• Backpacks, baby backpack carriers, umbrellas or other bulky items
• Food and drinks including tumblers
• Plants, flowers or other organic materials
• Tripods and video cameras
• Wrapped packages including gifts
• Pets

Dress Code

There is no dress code when visiting the museum but visitors are encouraged to dress appropriately keeping in mind the sensitivities other visitors may have.

Photography

Taking of pictures is allowed inside the museum premises. However, the use of camera flash and the recording of videos are strictly
prohibited.

Decorum

• Please keep your voices low while inside the galleries. Do not touch the paintings, sculptures, and other objects in display.
• Avoid leaning on glass showcases and pedestals. Running and playing in hallways and sitting and lying on floors are not allowed.
• The NMP reserves the right to refuse the entry or to dismiss individuals or groups who will violate the above mentioned policies.

Health and safety protocols (2023)

• Wearing of face masks is highly encouraged especially for the elderly, individuals with comorbidities, immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women, unvaccinated minors, and symptomatic individuals.
• Visitors are allowed to bring their own sanitizing kits (small bottles of alcohol, small spray bottles, and tissue papers), but they must be mindful of their surroundings when using them.
• Frequent hand washing and sanitizing is encouraged. Hand sanitizers are available throughout the premises while hand washing facilities are available
  in all comfort rooms.
• Social distancing of at least two (2) meters between persons not belonging to the same household must be observed at all times.
• By accepting admission, you assume all inherent risks and agree to release the National Museum of the Philippines from any or all liability for any illness/diseases, as well as for loss, injury, or damage to your person or property related to your visit.

Contact information

• Telephone: (02) 8929-1100 local 3000
• Email: cmvod@nationalmuseum.gov.ph
• Website: https://nationalmuseum.gov.ph/

Photo shoots

In case you didn’t know, the different national museums are also open for photo shoots, including pre-nuptial, pre-debut, and other location shoots. According to their guidelines, photo shoots must be done only Monday within office hours from 10:00am – 3:00pm within designated areas only, This includes: the National Museum of Fine Arts, National Museum of Anthropology, and National Museum of Natural History buildings’ facade, lobby, public staircase, and courtyard. The applicable location fee is P5,000.

Venue rental

Private citizens can also rent the different national museums for events like media launches, commercial shoots, and weddings, as seen in the recent Hearn-Cojuanco wedding. Here are the guidelines on venue rental for the national museum.

1. Submit a written request thirty (30) days before the scheduled event.
2. State the objective/s of the request with a project brief, which will be subject for review, assessment, and approval of the Director-General.
3. Once approved, submit the accomplished application and guidelines agreement forms (see Annex A: Application Form) to the Museum Services Division (MSD).
4. Upon submission of required forms, a client coordination meeting will be set by the MSD.
5. Upon meeting, an event Floor Plan shall be submitted to the Director-General for approval.
6. The client must secure a notarized Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) two (2) weeks before the event/activity, and will be subject for review and approval of the NMP Legal Office.
7. An applicable fee (see Annex B: Schedule of Fees) shall be paid in full (tax exempted) to the NMP’s Cash Section in cash or online bank transfer a week before the event.
   a. For bank transfer, payment shall be sent to the following details:
   Account Name: National Museum Income Fund
   Account Number: 0012-1184-30
   Servicing Bank: Landbank of the Philippines – Intramuros Branch
   b. Issuance of Official Receipt is two (2) days upon submission of the original Deposit Slip or receipt of Transfer Confirmation Email from bank.
   

Regional, area, and site museums outside Metro Manila

Aside from the three central museums, the National Museum of the Philippines maintains regional, area and site museums all over the country. There are 14 NMP-run museums outside of the National Capital Region (NCR). These museums have outstanding national artistic, cultural and natural heritage significance. The regional sites are also open for venue rentals.

Regional museums

• NM Cordillera Regional Museum (National Museum Cordillera) – Kiangan, Ifugao
• NM Ilocos Regional Museum Complex (National Museum Ilocos) – Vigan and Magsingal, Ilocos Sur
• NM Cagayan Valley Regional Museum (National Museum Cagayan Valley) – Peñablanca, Cagayan
• NM Bicol Regional Museum (National Museum Bicol) – Daraga, Albay
• NM Western Visayas Regional Museum (National Museum Western Visayas) – Iloilo City, Iloilo
• NM Eastern-Northern Mindanao Regional Museum (National Museum Eastern-Northern Mindanao) – Butuan, Agusan del Norte
• NM Western-Southern Mindanao Regional Museum (National Museum Western-Southern Mindanao) – Zamboanga City

Area museums

• NM Batanes Area Museum (National Museum Batanes) – Uyugan, Batanes
• NM Marinduque-Romblon Area Museum (National Museum Marinduque-Romblon) – Boac, Marinduque
• NM Bohol Area Museum (National Museum Bohol) – Tagbilaran, Bohol
• NM Sulu Archipelago Area Museum (National Museum Sulu) – Jolo, Sulu
• NM Dumaguete Museum Dumaguete, Negros Oriental

Site museums

• NM Kabayan Burial Caves Site Museum (National Museum Kabayan) – Kabayan, Benguet
• NM Tabon Caves Site Museum – Quezon, Palawan
• Angono Binangonan Petroglyphs – Angono and Binangonan, Rizal