The BenCab Museum

 

  
       The BenCab museum is one of the museums in Baguio and is one of  a kind musuem that I have seen so far.  It houses exhibits of renowned Filipino artists that are truly Filipino.  The museum has collections of arts made by one of the Philippine national artists named BenCab ( short for Bendicto Cabreras ) and other contemporary artists.

Benedicto Cabreras
Photo courtesy of the Bencab museum as shown on their pamphlet 

      Baguio city has alot of places for tourists to go and BenCab is another reason for people to visit the summer capital of the Philippines.  The museum is located  in Asin rd., Tadiangan, Tuba Benguet just 16 km. from Baguio city.

     We had plans to go to Banaue rice terraces but we had to drop by the Baguio  city just to see what the BenCab museum has to offer.  Well,  the BenCab museum is different compared to the other museums that we have visited.  The museum has exhibits that were mixtures of arts that show contemporary  modern arts and anthropology of the Cordillera people expressed  through bulols, granary gods, lime containers and other indigenous crafts - truly outstanding.

     The museum has several galleries that show collections made by BenCab himself and other contemporary artists.

       BenCab Gallery

Features the artist's own work over a continuing artistic career that spans more than four decades. 

       Contemporary art Gallery 1

Highlights the artist's collection of paintings,  drawings, prints, and scultures. 

         Contemporary art Gallery 2

Same description with contemporary art gallery 1

        Cordillera Gallery

Is a repository of the artist's collection of tribal artifacts and indigenous crafts of the northen Philippine highlands - bulol rice granary gods, functional carved objects like furniture, spoon,  bowls,  and other utilitarian implements like basket,  as well as the weapons and numerous tribes once known for their headhunting rituals. 

         Maestro Gallery 

Houses a selection of works by Emilio Aguinaldo,  Chabet, Edades, Joya, Legazpi,  Luz,  Magsaysay - Ho,  Sanso,  Zobel,  and other well renowned masters of Philippine art. 

           Erotica Gallery 

The most unique of all the galleries. The exhibits in this gallery has an erotic subject.

            Print Gallery

Highlights vintage maps,  prints, photographs and post cards in the Philippines, along with contemporary prints and photographs. 

             Gallery Indigo

The venue for changing exhibitions.

              Sepia Gallery

Also a venue of changing exhibitions.

                The Bulol wall

This is a two-story-high installation of different Ifugao rice deities known as the 'Bulol'

                Edison T.  Coseteng patio

Features BenCab's  32 Varations on Sabel,  glaze-painted on Mariwasa tiles. 

                  Farm and Garden

This reminds me of the ifugao courtyard at the National Museum of Anthropology.
The farm and garden of the museum showcase agricultural products and the typical indigenous architecture of the ifugao,  kalinga and bontoc. 

     The visit to the BenCab museum made me more understood not only of the contemporary arts but also of what the Cordillera people had contributed to the Filipino culture.   Filipino culture is broad in which almost half had foreign influences but the contribution of the Cordillera ancestors is indeed a genuine Filipino with no trace of hispanic, chinese,  american and japanese influences. It is just pure Pinoy origin.  I am glad that BenCab had established this museum that will help to bring a culture closer to people that is rich and a true Filipino.

     The BenCab museum is a project of the BenCab Art Foundation,  a non-stock, non-profit organization that supports activities related to the arts and environment.

     Museum hours:
   
     Tuesday to Sundays 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
     (last entry at 5:30 pm). Closed on Mondays.            

     Admission to the Museum

     General: Php 150.00
     Student with valid school ID: Php 120.00
     Senior citizen or PWD: Php 80.00


     Tel: (+63 74) 442 7165
     Website: www.bencabmuseum.org