National Art Gallery (National Museum of the Philippines)

Last month was my first time to visit the National Art Gallery.  Before, I didn't know that the National Museum has two buildings -- the Museum of the Filipino People (located at the old Department of Finance bldg), and the National Art Gallery (located at the old Legislative bldg). Note that these are two adjacent buildings.

You can find inside the National Art Gallery collection of art works from our National Artists and other notable artists of our country.  On the first gallery, the Hall of the Masters (the works of Felix Hidalgo and Juan Luna), you can find one of the most well-known paintings here in our country, the Spoliarium by Juan Luna. It is so huge that it makes the spotlight of the National Art Gallery.

There are a lot of galleries located on the two floors of the museum and some are still under renovations to display more art works. The other galleries showcase the works of Rizal, Botong Francisco and Amorsolo, among others. 

The entrance is still free and if you have time please do check this museum to see the works of great Filipino artists.

Below are some photos.

Front of the National Art Gallery (the Old Legislative Building)

A View of the Clock Tower of the Manila City Hall from the National Art Gallery building

Spoliarium by Juan Luna

Felix Hidalgo's painting

Amorsolo's painting tools with an unfinished work

Sperm Whale Bones

Old Retablo of Dimiao Church, Bohol

National Museum of the Philippines (First Stop: The National Museum of the Filipino People)

Filipinos, specially those who are living in Metro Manila and those who love to travel, have you ever been to our National Museum?

My first time was in grade school, and that was during our field trip. Well, after almost two decades, I decided to visit again the Museum, and this was because I don't have enough money for an out-of-town trip, and I want to see something different during my restdays.  So people of the Metro Manila, if you are thinking what to do in the metro, besides malling or eating, why not try to visit historical places.  It turned out my visit was a worthy and learning experience.

Our National Museum consists of two adjacent buildings, one is the National Museum of the Filipino People and the other building is the National Art Gallery.

First stop, some info and photos of National Museum of the Filipino People... (next post is about the National Art Gallery)

The Museum of the Filipino People is located at the old Department of Finance building in Rizal Park. This is a four-story museum. It houses the anthropology and archaeology division of the National Museum. Here you can find wreckage from a Spanish battleship called San Diego where many artifacts were recovered like jewelries, potteries, coins, and war weapons.  You can also find an exhibit about the origin of the Filipino nation, pre-historic Philippines and some of its archaeological treasures.

Below are some photos of the Museum of the Filipino people.

National Museum
P. Burgos Drive, Rizal Park, Manila
Tuesdays-Sundays, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Free admission on Sundays
website: nationalmuseum.gov.ph

Entrance:  Individual Fee (PHP)
Student: 30.00
Senior Citizen: 80.00
Adult: 100.00

National Museum of the Filipino People (the Old Department of Finance bldg)

Manunggul Jar, a burial jar

Marble Hall (inside the Museum)

McDonald's Philippines 30th Anniversary Stores

Last September 30, 2011, McDonald's celebrated their 30th Anniversary here in the Philippines.  In line with it, they renovated four (4) stores to have new and modern designs.  Each store has a different theme design.  These stores are located in North Avenue, Quezon Ave, Greenhills, and Makati Cinema Square.  I just visited McDonald's North Avenue branch.

I  read on one blog, the Tales from the Tummy blog (Tales from the Tummy blog),  that the design in North Avenue branch is called Allegro Urban theme which uses darker shades with only small pockets of color.

Here are some photos of  the newly renovated McDonald's North Avenue branch near Trinoma.

SINGAPORE TRIP 2011

Singapore was my destination last July 2011 together with my friend. It was my first time to travel overseas, thanx always to Cebu Pacific for their seat sales.

When we arrived in Changi Airport (Budget Terminal), kinuha ko na lahat ng mga brochures and maps (free naman lahat) na pwede kong makuha. Pinaka okay syempre yung map and the brochure called "Your Essential Singapore Guide" by Singapore Tourism Board. You can get it for free sa airport, available in several languages, so get the English version. They also have this in STB website, in pdf version, just go to their site: STB website or for pdf version. They have sample itineraries there for every spot in SG. Everything about Singapore, where to go, where to eat, what to do, they have in that brochure.

If you are coming from Budget Terminal, you need to transfer in Terminal 2 for the MRT, doon kasi naka connect ang MRT. They have free shuttle service to and from Terminal 2, 24 hours ata ito.

For our accommodation, we stayed at Amrise Hotel located in Sims Avenue, in Geylang Area. Geylang is the red light district in SG. But not like in Manila, this red light district is so tranquil, and so safe, you will not know it is a red light unless you know it already, it's not that conspicuously noticeable.

Amrise is a basic hotel. Kung wala ka masyadong hinahanap sa isang hotel, I highly recommend this. They have hot and cold shower in every room, complimentary coffee and bottled water and a nice bed. We got it for 1,900 PHP per night through Agoda. Also the hotel is near MRT station and bus stops. Nearest MRT is the Kallang Station located also in Sims Avenue.

For transportation cost, we used EZ link card, of course, for MRTs and buses. Lahat lahat, S$23 for 4 days ang nagastos ko for transportation, kasama na yung S$5 na cost for the card itself.

First Day:

Universal Studios Singapore and Sentosa Is.
 
To get there, we alighted in HarbourFront station that is connected to Vivo City mall and we transferred to Sentosa Express, a monorail train that serves the whole Sentosa Island . You can use your EZ Link Card in riding Sentosa Express. It costs S$3 unlimited ride for one day. They have three stations sa Sentosa from Vivo City mall--Waterfront (Resorts World, USS), Imbiah station (giant Merlion, luge and skyride, Images of Singapore, iFly, cable car, etc.) and Beach station (Palawan ang Siloso beach).

We spent almost 7 hours sa loob ng Universal, from 130 pm to 8pm.

Giant Merlion at Imbiah Sentosa

Second Day:

Orchard Road (malls) and the Civic District (Singapore Art Museum, Raffles Hotel, CHIJMES, Civilian War Memorial, Supreme Court).

We spent our evening in the Marina Bay.

Nilibot namin yun Marina Bay from Esplanade mall (Theatres on the Bay), yung may durian-like roof, tapos Esplanade Bridge, the original Merlion in Merlion Park, nakita namin yung Fullerton Hotel, then the Marina Bay Sands, Helix Bridge, the Float, etc.

Orchard Road

One Dollar Ice Cream on Orchard Rd

CHIJMES

Singapore Art Museum

Raffles Hotel

Wisma Atria Mall

St. Andrew Cathedral, an Anglican church

Fire Station

Esplanade

The Marina Bay

View of Marina Bay Sands

The Original Merlion, situated at Merlion Park Marina Bay near Fullerton Hotel

Inside Marina Bay Sands Mall

Helix Bridge

ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands

Third Day:

Chinatown and Bugis

Sa Chinatown, dami nyong mabibili na mura, lalo na key chains, hanap lang kayo ng stalls na mas mura ang offer sa inyo.  Mas mura pa nga yung prices ng key chains dito compare pag bumili ka ng souvenir key chains sa mga tourist destinations sa Pilipinas, like in Ilocos or Bohol.

Sa Bugis, dami din ditong mura.  Dito kami bumili ng SG shirts na 3 for S$10 meron din 4 for S$10.

Chinatown MRT

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

Bugis

Bus ride in Singapore

MRT Station

MRT ride

Fourth Day:

Mustafa Centre, Little India and the Singapore Flyer

Mustafa Centre is located in Little India, a 24-hour shopping center.  If you want to buy chocolates in SG, this place is worth a visit.  Parang yung isang floor dito halos chocolates ang tinda, sobrang daming pagpipilian, ang tagal namin dito.  May mga cheap perfumes din na tinda dito.  Okay na okay itong shopping centre na to.

Sumakay kami ng Singapore Flyer sa last night namin, mauulan pa nga, kaya medyo maulap.  It costs $S29 for 30-minute ride.

Pero there are combos to choose from para makamura kayo,  combo like Flyer with River Cruise and City Sightseeing on a topless double-decker bus that will cost you only S$49.

Check this site: Duck & Hippo 

You can visit also Singapore Visitors Centre on Orchard Road, or check the brochures available on the airport for more of combo packages sa mga tourist spots sa Singapore.

Street in Little India

The Singapore Flyer

I

Inside one of the capsules of Singapore Flyer

View of Singapore from Singapore Flyer

Marina Bay Sands

The Float

Marina Bay

Helix Bridge with the ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands

WHERE TO EAT:

There are lots of hawker centres in Singapore that serve Singaporean dishes. You can have a meal that will only cost you S$5. Also, there's Food Republic located in the malls. It's like a hawker centre (food court), but inside a mall. Almost same price as the hawker centres outside malls.

But two days of Singaporean food, you will crave for McDonalds or Burger King. You can already buy a meal in McDO or BK for S$6.

Some Hawker Centres:

Lau Pa Sat. This is near Raffles Place MRT station. Already an institution in Singapore.

Makansutra Gluttons Bay. Hawker centre near in Esplanade or in Marina Bay area. You can eat here pagkatapos nyong libutin ang buong Marina Bay, this is just beside Esplanade Theatre.

Maxwell Food Centre. This is where to eat when you are in Chinatown area.

Tekka Market. A hawker centre in Little India

Lau Pa Sat

Inside Lau Pa Sat

Satay (skewered barbeque meat) area in Lau Pa Sat

Makansutra Gluttons Bay

Makansutra

Makansutra


A S$5 Meal in Food Republic

Durian Stall on Sims Avenue