If you ever needed a reason to visit Baguio other than the cool climate and beautiful sceneries, you could try checking out BenCab Museum. It is not exactly a new tourist destination but it is something to be experienced if you want to see Baguio in a different light.
BenCab Museum first opened its doors almost a decade ago on February 27, 2009. It is a four-storey museum located 6 kilometers outside of the city, in the town of Tuba, Benguet. It houses various artworks of National Artist Benedicto Cabrera and other contemporary Filipino artists.
If you're planning a visit, we've got six things you won't want to miss at the BenCab Museum.
1. Discover a modern museum that complements its forested mountain surroundings
BenCab Museum not only amazes with its collection of artworks but also with its architecture. It is said that the museum is designed with a traditional rice terrace in mind. From the street level, it appears to be a single-storey structure, fooling visitors into thinking it is just a small museum. But it is actually of considerable size and descends down to three more levels maximizing and working with the existing topography of the area. Every level has its own viewing terrace overlooking the breathtaking Cordillera Mountains while at the base, there is a rice-terrace inspired garden with Ifugao huts and a pond.
Inside, the museum is very modern. It has clean lines, pristine white walls, glorious floor to ceiling windows, and sliding glass doors - giving an open-air vibe and creating bright, elegant spaces.
2. See the works of the Master of Philippine Contemporary Art
BenCab Museum is named after Benedicto Cabrera. He was conferred the Order of National Artist for Visual Arts in 2006. He is also considered as the preeminent Filipino painter of his generation and the best-selling painter of Philippine contemporary art. He has exhibited his works in New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Tokyo, and London.
Within the museum, there is a dedicated BenCab Gallery featuring his own works spanning an artistic career of more than 40 years. The works here are quite limited because most of his works are already owned by art patrons and enthusiasts.
3. See the works of rising contemporary artists
BenCab Museum has allotted expansive space for artworks of young and contemporary artists, particularly those from the Cordilleras. This is not merely a showcase of the diverse and abundant talents that we have but a display of BenCab's appreciation of other artists' works and commitment to supporting struggling artists.
4. Break the taboo in the Erotica Gallery
BenCab Museum has a small gallery where paintings, drawings, sculptures, and other artworks with an erotic theme or subject are featured. This is one of the most talked-about sections of the museum.
The works here show not only technical skills worthy of study but also understanding about sex, eroticism, and human relations. So visit the gallery to celebrate sexuality without shame and appreciate what are otherwise considered taboos.
Note: The gallery has an advisory that says "This gallery contains works with imagery that may be offensive to minors and to certain individuals."
5. Take a step back in time and appreciate indigenous arts and crafts
Museums are great places to visualize and imagine the past. BenCab Museum is no exception. It has the Cordillera Gallery and Bulul Collection which showcase the region's tribal artifacts and indigenous crafts BenCab has acquired over the years.
The collection includes bulul sculptures, tribal weapons, ritual offering vessels, indigenous furniture, and every day implements like spoons and bowls.
6. Unwind at Cafe Sabel
After an hour or two of exploring and admiring the exhibits of the museum, head down to the last level where Cafe Sabel is located. It is a restaurant and a destination all in one picturesque package. It boasts of good food that uses ingredients from the estate's own organic farm. It has a homey ambiance with the right mix of colorful furniture and indigenous art pieces. It also has direct access to the museum's garden. All these make Cafe Sabel the perfect place to round off your visit and to soak in stunning, unobstructed views of the surrounding garden and mountains.
For more information about BenCab Museum please visit the official website here. Meanwhile, the ticket rates are as follows:
So are you on your way to Baguio soon? We recommend that you take the time to visit the BenCab Museum. Then share your experience or your comments below.
Want to read more about our trip to Baguio? Click on the below links.
Baguio: A Travel Guide for First-Timers
The Manor at Camp John Hay: The Ultimate Getaway in the Mountains of Cordilleras
High-Flying Fun at Tree Top Adventure Baguio
 |
| The BenCab Museum facade |
If you're planning a visit, we've got six things you won't want to miss at the BenCab Museum.
1. Discover a modern museum that complements its forested mountain surroundings
BenCab Museum not only amazes with its collection of artworks but also with its architecture. It is said that the museum is designed with a traditional rice terrace in mind. From the street level, it appears to be a single-storey structure, fooling visitors into thinking it is just a small museum. But it is actually of considerable size and descends down to three more levels maximizing and working with the existing topography of the area. Every level has its own viewing terrace overlooking the breathtaking Cordillera Mountains while at the base, there is a rice-terrace inspired garden with Ifugao huts and a pond.
 |
| The rice-terraces inspired garden within the BenCab estate |
 |
| The glorious floor to ceiling glass windows of the museum |
2. See the works of the Master of Philippine Contemporary Art
BenCab Museum is named after Benedicto Cabrera. He was conferred the Order of National Artist for Visual Arts in 2006. He is also considered as the preeminent Filipino painter of his generation and the best-selling painter of Philippine contemporary art. He has exhibited his works in New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Tokyo, and London.
 |
| The BenCab Gallery |
 |
| The high-valued works of Benedicto Cabrera |
 |
| Beautiful paintings worthy of the National Artist title |
3. See the works of rising contemporary artists
BenCab Museum has allotted expansive space for artworks of young and contemporary artists, particularly those from the Cordilleras. This is not merely a showcase of the diverse and abundant talents that we have but a display of BenCab's appreciation of other artists' works and commitment to supporting struggling artists.
 |
| Artworks of young contemporary artists |
 |
| Part of the contemporary arts collection of BenCab |
4. Break the taboo in the Erotica Gallery
BenCab Museum has a small gallery where paintings, drawings, sculptures, and other artworks with an erotic theme or subject are featured. This is one of the most talked-about sections of the museum.
The works here show not only technical skills worthy of study but also understanding about sex, eroticism, and human relations. So visit the gallery to celebrate sexuality without shame and appreciate what are otherwise considered taboos.
 |
| Some of the erotic themed paintings in the Erotica Gallery |
 |
| Yonic artwork |
5. Take a step back in time and appreciate indigenous arts and crafts
Museums are great places to visualize and imagine the past. BenCab Museum is no exception. It has the Cordillera Gallery and Bulul Collection which showcase the region's tribal artifacts and indigenous crafts BenCab has acquired over the years.
The collection includes bulul sculptures, tribal weapons, ritual offering vessels, indigenous furniture, and every day implements like spoons and bowls.
 |
| Bulul collection in the Cordillera Gallery |
 |
| The Cordillera Gallery |
6. Unwind at Cafe Sabel
After an hour or two of exploring and admiring the exhibits of the museum, head down to the last level where Cafe Sabel is located. It is a restaurant and a destination all in one picturesque package. It boasts of good food that uses ingredients from the estate's own organic farm. It has a homey ambiance with the right mix of colorful furniture and indigenous art pieces. It also has direct access to the museum's garden. All these make Cafe Sabel the perfect place to round off your visit and to soak in stunning, unobstructed views of the surrounding garden and mountains.
For more information about BenCab Museum please visit the official website here. Meanwhile, the ticket rates are as follows:
Ticket Type
|
Rate in PHP
|
General Admission
|
150.00
|
Student
|
120.00
|
Senior Citizen/PWD
|
80.00
|
So are you on your way to Baguio soon? We recommend that you take the time to visit the BenCab Museum. Then share your experience or your comments below.
Want to read more about our trip to Baguio? Click on the below links.
Baguio: A Travel Guide for First-Timers
The Manor at Camp John Hay: The Ultimate Getaway in the Mountains of Cordilleras
High-Flying Fun at Tree Top Adventure Baguio
No comments:
Post a Comment