In celebration of the annual International Museum Day, the National Museum of Natural History officially opens its doors to the public on May 18, Friday, while other museums are waiving their entrance fees.
“Today, on International Museum Day, we are opening the National Museum of Natural History to the public, marking the completion of the conversion of the Department of Tourism Building (originally the Agriculture and Commerce Building) into a world-class museum facility that will benefit all Filipinos by helping us all to know better and develop a greater appreciation and for the gifts of nature with which our country is so richly endowed,” National Museum of the Philippines Chairman, Ramon R. del Rosario, Jr. said in a statement.
The National Museum of Natural History is the third building which completes the National Museum Complex in Manila along with the National Museum of Fine Arts and the National Museum of Anthropology. The new museum will showcase the country’s rich biodiversity and wide variety of flora and fauna, interactive activities and models, life-size replica of “Lolong the crocodile,” and many more.
In 2016, the National Museum of the Philippines declared that entrance to its museums nationwide would be permanently free “…in order to build upon significant spikes in viewership, especially among younger Filipinos”.
“All who are interested or merely curious are able to come because admission is free, to the National Museum Complex in Rizal Park in Manila, and to our 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,” del Rosario added.
Despite the blazing heat outside, people lined up to see the National Museum of Natural History for the first time. And after all the hours of lining up and years in the making, it was all worth it for them.
This line to the National Museum of Natural History is giving me warm and fuzzy feelings.🤓 #InternationalMuseumDay pic.twitter.com/KaO5WTn2M1
— Paolo S. Macasaet (@paolosmacasaet) May 18, 2018
Got the chance to finally get inside the National Museum of Natural History, just in time for the celebration of International Museum Day! I must say it was worth the wait, years in the making! pic.twitter.com/2IFlEmculG
— Alexis Lim (@litratonijuan) May 18, 2018
Happy International Museum Day! The National Museum of Natural History opens today! #IMD2018 #InternationalMuseumDay #ParaSaPamana #HeritagePH pic.twitter.com/wVVjBGWEAN
— NCCA PH (@NCCAOfficial) May 17, 2018
Hello the National Museum of Natural History is finally open!!! 💛 Museum hours are 10 AM to 5 PM. Go visit and support our museums ✨ pic.twitter.com/ShLZsbMmUg
— Jana Cruz ☀️ (@janaisabellaa) May 18, 2018
The skeleton of "Lolong" the famous giant crocodile in the country hangs down from the ceiling of the Ayala Reception Hall at the National Museum of Natural History. @pnagovph pic.twitter.com/aoOkCD8d4I
— Ma. Teresa Montemayor (@MTMontemayor) May 18, 2018
Aside from the National Museum Complex in Manila, several museums are also offering free admission this Friday, May 18, including:
- Metropolitan Museum in Manila
- Museong Pambata in Manila
- Yuchengco Museum in Makati
- Bahay Tsinoy in Intramuros
- QCX Museum in Quezon City
Meanwhile, Ayala Museum will be celebrating International Museum Day on Sunday, May 20, and will be waiving its admission fee. The following museums in Intramuros will also be having free admission on May 20:
- Casa Manila
- Fort Santiago
- Baluarte de San Diego
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