IA # 4 National Museum

Despite having a limited time to roam around due to time constraints, it was a memorable experience . A place to seek through the beauty of art can be seen in the National Museum of the Philippines. It was an amazing location full of stories to tell of how our history went about, and how our ancestors were. From the vases, to food, to clothing, to instruments, to spears, to burial.

There were a number of art works the caught my eye. 1st was Surat, which is inscription on Bamboo Strip. As for me, this art symbolizes the ownership — a sense of showing that this certain musical instrument, spear, etc. is theirs. A sense of originality through the message that was inscribed in the material.

Tidora, Sungkaan. From the Maranaos, Lanao del Sur. This is art can be shown how Filipinos can be creative in putting a game into it. It started by being played by the princess, or so called Iiayamin, with her mango ragas (ladies) in the lamin.

Manang, or so called Idols. It originally came from the province, Compostela Valley, Davao. This was their Ritual Paraphermalia. It’s amazing how our ancestors created these idols through their imaginations. Intricate, unique and simple.

Naval Architecture. This model of the ship is used as a basis to be able to better investigate the shipwrecks.

The Spice Route, The Road. This unique painting shows how people before communicate through showing them paintings of the so called “The Silk Road”. It was during the year 1000, over the sea and one on land.

Mexican Jar or Bangang Mexicano. This art is unique for its flowery design — through sprouts, leaves, branches, in a spiral design. It was said to be of the influence of the Mediterranean art.

This is one of my favorite art — Boras, made by Tausug from Jolo, Sulu. This is actually a window screen, or a floor mat during ceremonies. Based on the artifact stated, this is the only art available to showcase Sulu. Specifically, that they have a culture of sex-based labor division, which is men will be the one creating these rattan mats and the women will be responsible for painting.