THE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANIEL SORIANO

Going to the science museum is an activity commonly reserved for educational purposes for students, as well as natural science aficionados. Those whose interests lie elsewhere (like spending the day in a mall) may find a science museum, or any museum for that matter, quite boring. But these days, modern museums have evolved with the times and now offer unique experiences that can cater to every persuasion. One notable science museum in the country is the National Museu m of Natural History (NMNH). It features botanical, zoological, and geological collections that are meant to inform and astound. Among the species that are featured include those that are endemic, meaning they can be fo und only in the Philippines.

“Your National Museum is one of the leading centers of education, science, and culture,” says National Museum Board of Trustees chairman Ramon del Rosario, Jr.

Del Rosario made this remark at the opening of the NMNH on International Museum Day last May
18. “We are promoting to Filipinos and visitors from all around the world our National Museum in the Philippines. Here can be found knowledge, appreciation, and love for our heritage as Filipinos and as people, in the fields of fine arts, anthropology, the natural world, and their historical contexts.”

THIS WORLD-CLASS MUSEUM FACILITY WILL BENEFIT ALL FILIPINOS BY HELPING US ALL TO KNOW BETTER AND DEVELOP A GREATER APPRECIATION FOR THE GIFTS OF NATURE WITH WHICH OUR COUNTRY IS SO RICHLY ENDOWED.

NOT A REGULAR SCIENCE MUSEUM
Since the NMNH opened on International Museum Day, admission was free on that day. But what makes the NMNH stand out among other science museums is that its admission will be free as mandated by the government in 2016.

In fact, admission is free to all museums in the National Museum Complex in Manila, which include
the National Museum of Anthropology and National Museum of Fine Arts. The free admission, adds del
Rosario, covers all national museums nationwide, “from Batanes to Jolo, which is made possible by the
strong support for this institution from the national government and our partners in the private and other
sectors.”

The waived entrance fee is surely a breather for those who are interested in trooping to a science museum but are quite hesitant to shell out steep fees. This means that even groups of friends and families can try going to the museum for a different kind of weekend activity. What is more, the NMNH has other aspects that will certainly draw visitors in.

STUNNING ARTISTIC ELEMENTS
The National Museum of Natural History may be one that focuses on nature and science but its building is already something to marvel at because it is a work of art itself. It used to be the Department of Tourism Building, which was originally the Agriculture and Commerce Building built in 1940. The five-storey structure can be found near the Agrifina Circle in the Rizal Park complex at T.M. Kalaw Street corner General Luna Street in Manila.