National Museum of the Philippines (w/ friends)
This was not the first time that I got the opportunity to visit the National Museum of the Philippines though it was only my second time. The first time was way back in High School (3rd year high school to be exact) and now that I had a glimpse again of yet this wonderful place, I again felt that telltale sensation of being brought back to the past. When our professor told us to go there, have fun, and take pictures of the artworks for our assignments, I got so giddy and excited because I knew that would be fun considering that I’ll go there together with my friends. The adventure we experienced that day was surreal, fantastic, and amazing… I had so much fun.
List of Artworks:
This wall (part) was built by the German Democratic Republic on 1961 to divide both the Europe and encircle the West Berlin to protect it during the Cold War though on November 9, 1989, it was demolished to finally unite the Germany which eventually happened on October 3, 1990. This wall was the proof that between two or more warring countries, peaceful interventions and unifications were possible and as a commemoration of that particular event and as a gift to the Philippines, particularly to the citizens of Manila, it was brought here and placed in this place for the people to see and dwell on the idea about the unification of Europe and Berlin.
This wall showed that no matter how futile it would look for two warring countries to unite, still it was not impossible. Peace is what makes countries unify and prosper. Raging war is not an indication of just pure lust for power or arrogance between countries but perhaps it’s about taking a stand to what they believe in and what they want to prove. This event is already a part of our history and knowing this and having this wall as a commemoration, we should and must know now the meaning of peace and how important it is in our country. We shouldn’t take it for granted.
When I first saw this, I remembered those stories I’ve read about angels, demons, particularly the archangel Gabriel and the Fallen Angel Lucifer as well as the others. Since this statue is a girl and has wings, I immediately had this conclusion that indeed it is an angel but it turned out it is in fact a Diwata (according to the title of the work). This statue lets me dwell on all the beliefs of the Filipinos, most especially in the countryside, about these superstitions of Diwata. Perhaps this statue is kind of like Maria Makiling? That question struck my mind. I don’t believe on such superstitions though I’m not saying that all about those Diwatas are just false notions. I have no knowledge about those things but since I am a Catholic, I don’t believe in their existence. But I do understand that this is a part of the Filipino culture and I will always respect that.
Looking at this picture kind of reminded me of our JOSERIZ subject because our professor taught us the things that our heroes did for our country to obtain independence. There was the formation of the Propaganda Movement, La Liga Filipina, and Katipunan. It also reminded me of those women who designed the flag (Marcela Marino de Agoncillo, Lorenza de Agoncillo, and Delfina Herbosa de Natividad) since the Philippine flag was shown in this artwork.
This only showed that the independence our country has must not be taken for granted. We must value it with our lives because without it, we’re nothing but puppets to other ruling countries. Independence shows our value as a Filipino citizen, our identity, our soul, and our own history. Some of us actually take it for granted. They would do things that harm the name of the country, things that are considered as inappropriate and bad, and also our colonial mentality that affect our culture in a not so pleasant way. Regardless, many of us still value their identity and their independence.
When we entered this gallery about men and women, I went immediately at the artworks about women and saw these three pieces of art. I was captivated by their beauty, the reason why I took pictures of them. Looking at these made me realized things about beauty. Nowadays, the word beauty seems to be too superficial for us to see its real meaning. People always took beauty as something that we see on the outside rather than on the inside, the reason why its meaning lost its value and significance. It shouldn’t supposed to be like that. Real beauty comes from the inside which is reflected on the outside. It’s about the purity of the heart, the kindness behind our actions, and the soft and compassionate words coming out of our lips.
It is apparent who the person is in these works of art. Since we have our JOSERIZ subject, I got to know our national hero better. I learned about his history, his journey from Philippines to Europe, his works (poems, essays, prose), his intellectual prowess, his life in Dapitan… the reason why I felt so proud and happy and at the same time sad. I felt happy and proud because he, Jose Rizal, is our national hero. He was a great person and he loved the Filipinos and the Philippines dearly. The Spanish Colonization, their prejudice, and cruel laws didn’t hinder him from doing the things that he knew were right and he keep on chasing after our own independence. He was one of the many reasons — especially him — that we obtain the independence we’re currently enjoying. I also felt sad because of how it all ended on him. He was put to death for the reason that was so right yet he was killed that way.
These pictures were very beautiful if seen personally because these were huge paintings that it actually occupied one whole huge room for gallery and also because these were very well painted… very detailed and colorful. These show how the treatment of illnesses and injuries in the Philippines was way back and now. Due to the brilliant minds of human beings, the way the treatment was done was slowly evolving until it became more effective and safer. At first, only prayer and rituals were used. The next was the usage of herbs, and the third and fourth where different apparatus were used to assist doctors in the treatment.
When I saw this artwork by Amorsolo — most especially when I learned that it was unfinished (I thought it was intentional at first) — I actually felt goosebumps all over me. It seems like a part of Amorsolo’s life was also became unfinished or unfulfilled because of this unfinished artwork. As I contemplate about this painting, it brings me back to the “supposed to be” meaning of beauty. Perhaps a few of us think of themselves as incomplete/lacking (physically, intellectually,emotionally) which kind of influence the way they view beauty. This (artwork) is an example that no matter how incomplete or how lacking we feel about ourselves doesn’t dwindle our value as well as the “real” beauty that God gave us.
Pictures in front and within the museum:
Pictures after the tour:
