Rizalizing the Future at Yuchengco Museum

Em and I spent Saturday morning at the Yuchengco Museum.  It's in RCBC Plaza, my office building and even though I see it everyday, it's only last weekend that I stepped inside the museum.  The main exhibit which runs until the end of this month is entitled Rizalizing the Future and it pays homage to our national hero Jose Rizal on the occasion of his 150th birthday this year.


If you haven't brushed up on your Philippine history in a while (me!), going to a museum is an excellent way to re-ignite interest in the events and people of the past.  I needed this reminder about how astounding Jose Rizal was as a person.  He was privileged, remarkably intelligent and talented, excelled in so many areas and yet was astutely in touch with the realities of his less privileged countrymen.

There were a lot of artifacts from Rizal's life like his prayer book, certificates, his violin, the 'tampipi' where his manuscripts were kept, etc.  There were also tribute pieces or recollections by his contemporaries and more modern artists like BenCab and Team Manila.


Another memorable piece is the brass sculpture by Daniel de la Cruz entitled Sisa.  Unfortunately, I don't have pictures of it because the camera battery ran out. :(

I forgot to take note of the artists for this installation but it was really interesting -- suspended resin shaped like rocks.  You can walk through the path in the middle or lie down underneath...


They have other exhibits mounted, including artworks that are for sale.  The huge piece below by Nena Saguil can be yours for PhP600k.


In the fourth floor are Yuchengco family and RCBC memorabilia (miniature sculptures in ivory tusk, jade pieces and 3 Ramon Orlina glass sculptures, among others).

I love museums.  I should do this more often.

Yuchengco Museum
RCBC Plaza, 6819 Ayala Avenue, Makati City
Ticket price: P100 (regular)

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