Museums are great places to visit if one is trying to get to know a country. It tells a lot of things about a country’s culture, arts, and history through the pieces that it holds. These are the museums in the Philippines that tourists should visit if they want to know more about the country.

Archdiocese of Manila Museum

This museum was established in 1987. It is located in Intramuros, Manila. The Archdiocese of Manila Museum initially held pieces from its first director, Msgr. Jose Abriol’s personal collection. It also holds the Archdiocese of Manila’s valuable church possessions. These were all placed in a vault bank for safekeeping. Some personal gifts from important people to the Archdiocese of Manila were included in these more than a hundred-piece collection. Additional items are acquired by the museum through financial support from different entities including the Basilica of Black Nazarene or what is more popularly known as Quiapo Church.
This museum holds a permanent exhibit with the theme “Philippine Church History”. Pope John Paul II visited the museum in 1995.

Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine

It was in this house which is now called the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine where the Philippine’s independence was declared by General Aguinaldo on June 12, 1898. This house is located in Kawit, Cavite. Tourists can stand on the spot where the young general stood and relive this monumental event in the Philippine History. Now, tourists can have a feel of such important event in the balcony which was built after this proclamation.
This house was built in 1845 and has undergone reconstruction twice. This is where General Emilio Aguinaldo was born and raised. In the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine’s garden is the general’s final resting place.

Armed Forces of the Philippines Museum

This museum is located in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. The Armed Forces of the Philippines Museum has a vast outdoor collection display of different weapons and pieces of equipment that the AFP used in their operations. Aside from this outdoor display, they also have an indoor display which holds paintings of different significant events in Philippine History specifically in the revolution which took place during the Spanish regime.

Different infantry weapons and equipment may be found at the Armed Forces of the Philippines Museum’s ground floor while the second floor holds scale models and uniforms. A special exhibit may also be seen. This special exhibit is sponsored by the brave Filipinos who defended Bataan and Corregidor in times of war.
Visitors can take a piece of the AFP home with different items such as books and other tokens from the museum’s gift shop.

Balay Negrense

Balay Negrense translates as Negrense House in English. Negrense refers to people who live in Silay City which is located in Negros Occidental. Balay Negrense was built in the late 1890’s. It is the ancestral house of the rich sugar planter, Victor Fernandez Gaston. It was declared as a heritage house in 1994.

Tourists can visit the Balay Negrense every day except on Mondays from 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM. However, it is closed on holidays. They also need to pay and admission fee of Php40.00.