Foundation News

A Cultural Study Tour with Mr. Ino Manalo
October 6, 2007, 6:30 am - 8:00 pm
Max. of 50 participants only
Fee: P1,900 for members, P2,200 for non-members (50% down payment necessary)
Contact: 404-2685/ 0928-503-9392/ 722-9073

Laguna de Bay is one of the important heartlands of Tagalog culture. It is the largest lake in the Philippines which nurtures a necklace of towns rich traditional architecture, arts, rituals and food. A trip around the lake (whose name means, the lake of the mother) is a journey into some of the sacred and germinal spaces of Philippine culture.

Itinerary

» 6:30 am
Meet at the parking lot of Santuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park, Makati

» 7:00 am
Depart for Laguna de Bay

» 9:00am – 9:30
We arrive at the town of MORONG to see the Baroque façade of the Morong Church as well as some of its 18th century interior furnishings. Among the sights are a magnificent set of Via Crucis - or Ways of the Cross- possibly dating to the 19th century as well as a painting by National Artist Carlos V. Francisco. We may also have a chance to see traditional arko makers who whittle intricate festival arches out of bamboo.

» 10:30 am – 11:00 am
In the town of TANAY we will see the splendid gold & blue 18th century rococo interiors of San Ildefonso Church including the magnificent pieta which is a metaphor for the great lake of the mother itself.

There is also another set of Via Crucis dating from the 18th century whose interesting vignettes provide provocative insights into the Filipino psyche.

Then, we cross the mountains where we will be treated to more views of the Lake before reaching the town of Paete where we break for lunch.

» 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Lunch features a traditional menu made up of such local delights as: Ninanok na Talong, eggplant cooked with roasted coconut sauce; Bibingkang Hipon, a kind of shrimp-flavored soufflé; Ukoy which is fried shrimp patties; Bulanglang a fresh vegetable stew; and a salad of white cheese and forest ferns. We will also witness a performance of local dances.

» 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
The town of Paete is famous for its crafts such as wood carving, bakya-making and paper-mâché. If possible, we will visit one of the last bakya workshops in the town as well as the studios of local artists.

Among the highlights of a visit to Paete is the 18th century church of St. James the Great with its intricately carved façade, florid retablos, and four monumental paintings which include the 18th century Juicio Final. We will also visit a private home to see the chapel of the Virgin of Sorrows with its marionette apparatus and changeable heads.

» 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm
Finally, in the next town of Pakil, we will visit the 18th century Pakil church which again has beautiful retablos and an amazing plague crucifix with remarkable chrysanthemum-like blood stains. Also in Pakil is the studio museum of painter Danny Dalena whose works played on with the interaction between the sacred and profane as illustrated by town life.

We will also hope to become acquainted with the spring of the virgin to understand the connection between religion and nature in the Philippine setting.

» 4:15 pm – 5:00 pm
The tour ends with a snack of ice-cold kesong puti served with a surprise twist along the banks of the Lumban river. Other possible stops include the piña-embroiders, slipper-makers, native kakanin vendors and traditional softwood whittlers.

» 5:15 pm – 6:00 pm
We will travel to Pagsanjan to shop for pasalubong. One additional stop is the Garden of Ernest Santiago.

» 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Travel back to Santuario de San Antonio, Makati.

¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤

Dear Members and Friends,

The Museum Foundation will do its best to keep to the schedule. However, we cannot guarantee that we will be back on time due to traffic and other unpredictable delays. To fully enjoy the experience please try to keep a flexible evening schedule.

We are fortunate to have as our tour director and lecturer Mr. Ino Manalo, the former director of the Metropolitan Museum and an advocate of Philippine culture.

Please note that none of the tour organizers or coordinators receives commissions from the establishments visited on this trip. Some things may be cancelled due to unavailability or lack of time.

To reserve, please download (pdf, zipped pdf) and fill up the reservation form and fax it to 404-2685.

Thank you.

Museum Foundation

April 21, Saturday, 6:00 am - 7:00 pm

Journey through the southern Tagalog region with us! The whole day affair features a series of food demonstrations, ancestral homes, churches and, of course, lots of food! We’ll also stop by two artists’ studios: Carlito’s workshop (a brass sculptor) and Ugu Bigyan’s Pottery Studio. The trip is topped off with the Tagayan ritual and some souvenir shopping! Tagay na!

Tour Highlights: Breakfast at Kusina Salud, Carlito’s Brass Workshop, Sariaya Ancestral Homes, Kiping & longganisang Lucban demo, Ugu Bigyan’s Pottery Garden.
Meeting point: 6:00 am at Santuario de San Antonio Church, Forbes Park, Makati
Cost: P2200 for members, P2500 for non-members
Max. no of participants: 25

You can download the reservation form as pdf or zipped pdf. The itinerary is also alvailable in pdf and zipped pdf.

For more information or reservations please call 404-2685/ 0928-503-9392 and look for Elvie or Patricia or call Flor at 722-9073

April 14, Saturday, 9:00 am

This is where it all began.

Get the real story behind our city’s epic Malay, Chinese, Spanish, American and Japanese chop suey experience as we traipse through the walls of Manila’s original walled city! Its four-centuries of his and her-story as we wonder through museums, churches and colonial houses; past plazas, cobbles, ruins, bulwarks and even tombstones! To cap it off, we’ll check out one of the best views in Manila, ever. This is a walk that’ll make you sweat with bucket loads of history, trivia and everything Filipiniana!

Tour Highlights: Plaza Roma * Manila Cathedral * Bahay Tsinoy Museum * San Agustin Church and Museum Complex * Intramuros Wall

Meeting point: 8:30 am, meet at the Bahay Tsinoy Museum lobby (32 Anda cor. Cabildo Street, Intramuros)*

Cost: P750 for members & P850 for non-members

Max. no of participants: 30

You can download the reservation form as pdf or zipped pdf.

For more information or reservations please call 404-2685/ 0928-503-9392 and look for Elvie or Patricia or call Flor at 722-9073

A trip to the Batanes islands always delights travelers who enjoy the picturesque Ivatan houses, the green pastures, and the gentle hospitality of the locals. This tour gives you that and more.

The Batanes archipelago is said to be the stepping stone in a large migration that led Austonesians to the Philippines and on to various destinations such as Micronesia, Indonesia and as far as Africa. Some say the earliest Micronesians in Taiwan come from Batanes. The heritage Ivantan houses shed more light on this theory. Venture through history with us as we uncover the tangible culture of a province that talks of beauty and destruction, hope and heritage. Try out local cuisine, learn native songs and dances, and discover the art, hope, and treasures of these islands.

(Please take note that the tour includes a 45-min boat ride to Sabtang Island and lots of rigorous walking! The boat ride is safe but the waves might be choppy depending on the season.)

Cost of tour :
The cost of tour per person is P25,000.00 for members and P27,000 for non-members. The fee is inclusive of round trip tickets, transfers, hotel accommodations, entrance fees, meals and tours. (Travel insurance is not included.) These costs are based on a minimum of 12 persons and are subject to change. To avail of the discount, sign up for membership for only P500.

The tour package is computed based on twin sharing accommodations. For those interested in a single room, kindly contact our office. Rates will adjust.

You can download the tour itinerary as pdf or zip file. The reservation form is also available in pdf and zip.

A guided tour of the Museum of the Filipino People
with John L. Silva,
Senior Consultant of the National Museum of the Philippines
Saturday, January 27, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm
Fee: P150 for members and P300 for non-members

The National Museum of the Filipino People houses permanent exhibits that provide a thematic story-telling display of our country’s anthropology and archaeology collections. Together with John Silva, we will walk through the grand halls of the former Finance building and discover secrets of our past, secrets buried deep underwater or underground. Dramatic settings evoke the atmosphere of our various historical periods.

In addition to the permanent displays, take advantage of this tour and listen to the expert as he discusses the temporary exhibits such as The Colonial Imaginary and The Philippine Art Awards.

Meet at the Museum Foundation office at 10:00 am, Grd. Fl, National Museum of the Filipino People.

For more information or reservations, please call the Museum Foundation at 404.2685/ 722.9073/ 0928.503.9392. Look for Elvie, Flor or Patricia.

Download the reservation form as pdf or zip.