We start the year as we mean to go on. That is: I plan to visit more and more museums, and maybe yap about them.
Ratings are based on [1] value for money and [2] how much I recommend this museum. Happy New Year!*
*Posting in time for Lunar New Year still counts, right?
Yuchengco Museum, Makati
Rating: ★★★☆☆
The contemporary art space and historic gallery provides respite from the ever-busy city heat. Yuchengco Museum showcases a pleasing variety of master samplers (such as works from Abueva, Joya and Amorsolo), modern exhibits (I caught one on Carlos Bulosan and Carlos Villa) and historical artifacts. The Rizal Collection was a particularly busy exhibit. There is also an open space which I imagine hosts a variety of events.
I do recommend this museum for its low cost of admission (Php200 for adults) and accessibility. But as a personal and private collection, visitors should set expectations for curation or cohesion low. It was also too hot or crowded in some hallways.
Contemplating and floating in the background: Tony Gonzales and Tes Pasola, Suspended Garden, 2010, recycled pulp.
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Read more: conversations with contemporary: four art spaces near metro manila
Manila Clock Tower Museum, Manila
Rating: ★★★★☆
The charm of Manila Clock Tower Museum is in its architecture and proximity. Nestled inside the top floors of the historic city hall, the small museum comfortably (if sometimes dryly) hosts local abstractions, historical installations and portraits of previous city mayors. The volunteer guides and staff are very enthusiastic, making up for the occasional lack of labels and proper tourist map.
The highlight of any visit is the 360-degree view of Manila at the very top floor. The access to the clock tower justifies the Php100 cost of admission on its own. I recommend this for all tourists with a free hour in Manila, and for all elementary students in the greater Manila area. I only wish they had a museum shop. And access for wheelchair users and people with bad knees.
Museo Orlina, Tagaytay
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Much like the Yuchengco Museum, Museo Orlina is a private collection turned museum. The simple facade of the house hides around four exhibit floors, a garden, and even an amphitheater. It primarily showcases the artistry of Ramon G. Orlina, but it also features works with from his children Anna and Michael Orlina and pieces from other national artists.
I think this is definitely a good place to visit if you’re already planning a day out in Tagaytay. The sculptures frame and are framed by the views of Taal Lake wonderfully. But I won’t necessarily go out of my way from the Metro just to visit this museum.
There are plans to built an art car museum just across the road –definitely a point of interest for modern art enthusiasts.
National Palace Museum, Taipei
Rating: ★★★★★
I’m just gonna go ahead and rate this a full 5 out of 5 stars. All national museums need to cope. My experience was a delight from the very start; my commute was guided by posters and temporary exhibits installed along the metro and bus route. The grounds around the palace were impressive. I felt a tiny bit regretful I only planned for a half-day visit.
With over 60,000 Chinese art treasures inside, it’s more than worth a couple of hours and the NT$350 admission.
Speaking of sculptures: thank you to this museum for introducing me to this 19th century jadeite cabbage. Insane.
Read more: Revisiting Taiwan | A Hot Summer Weekend 2024
National Gallery, Singapore
Rating: ★★★★☆
Boasting the largest public collection of Singaporean (and Southeast Asian) art in the world, the National Gallery Singapore is definitely worth a visit. The various pieces are complemented by the classical interiors of the former Supreme Court and City Hall buildings. It’s a good way to spend a couple of hours on a hot day —and it’s always hot in Singapore.
I definitely rate this above the Singapore Art Museum and even above the flashier ArtScience Museum. Maybe I’m just a bigger fan of traditional media. Or maybe there’s something relaxing and invigorating about the design of the museum.
But I can’t give it 5 out of 5 stars. Much like the rest of Singapore, it still lacks a little bit of soul…
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Read more: Work hard, play harder | Singapore 2024
War Remnants Museum, Ho Chi Minh City
Rating: ★★★★☆
I rarely go to historical museums. I find them almost always often depressing. The War Remnants Museum was in turns horrifying, bracing, inspiring. It depicts the horrors of the First Indochina War and the Vietnam War.
We were morbidly curious as to the thoughts of the Americans we saw also visiting the museum. What did they think of the tanks and deactivated bombs displayed in the front yard? Was that their first time hearing of the defoliant “Agent Orange“? Did they know how it changed the genetic landscape of generations of Vietnamese people, even until today? I know most Americans don’t even know of their brutalities against the Philippines…
The museum’s old name was “Museum of Chinese and American War Crimes”, and then “Exhibition House for Crimes of War and Aggression”. It was eventually changed in 1995 in the name of peace. Diplomacy is overrated. For such a small price of 40,000 VND and not a little bit of heat, you can learn a lot of the strength of the Vietnamese people. We can learn a lot about the importance of preserving memory.
Museum of Fine Arts, Ho Chi Minh City
Rating: ★★★☆☆
The Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts is a large collection, housing traditional to modern sculptures and paintings. It also features works from all over Southeast Asia. The restored facade is beautiful, preserving a blend of French colonial architecture and Vietnamese aesthetics. I think it was in this museum (and its surprise collection of pieces from Manila) that I understood the similarities and differences of Vietnamese and Philippine culture.
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I do love this museum, and I think it’s a great choice if you’re looking for a way to enjoy art while in HCM. But I cannot stress enough how hot it was in almost all of the floors. Only some exhibits were in air-conditioned rooms, which is just crazy. I’m wondering how they’re able –or if they’re even able– to preserve the pigments. Good thing there was a mall and several cafes within walking distance.
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By the time of posting I’ve technically been to two museums. 2025 is shaping up to be a good year for contemplation and art.
Until next time! ♥
jari m 
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