National Museum of Natural History

By Kin Enriquez -

I had the chance to attend the preview for the  National Museum of Natural History today (on my birthday!). My friend Nyel and I trooped to Rizal Park early in the morning to be able to get in line for the preview, which is only limited to 200 visitors.



The construction of the National Museum of Natural History started in 2015, in which the neo-classical Department of Tourism building, built in 1940, was repurposed to house the new museum.


Only the courtyard and one floor of exhibit area was open.



The courtyard is the one that I was most excited about, as it has as its centerpiece the architectural feature called The Tree of Life - a steel helix resembling DNA, housing a glass elevator. Above it is a glass mosaic dome that lets in natural light into the museum.


We were guided through the exhibiy areas that showcase the endemic species of flora and fauna in the Philippines, a lot of which is, sadly, already extinct. Among these animals include Lolong, the crocodile caught in Agusan, the largest ever captured.


One piece on exhibit that intrigued me was the Murillo Velarde map, drawn by a Jesuit priest in 1734. The map, which shows the islands of the Philippines, was used during the UNCLOS case against China in 2013.



Even if there was only three galleries open for now I can't help to get excited to see the museum open fully. On the way out we spotted a still-closed gallery with lots of taxidermied animals. That should give the Mind Museum a run of its money.


How to Get There
The National Museum of Natural History is located im Agripina Circle in Rizal Park. The nearest train station is UN Avenue Station of LRT Line 1. You may also take jeepneys going to Kalaw St. 

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