Aquino Center and Museum

Aquino Center and Museum

Established	2001;24 years ago (2001)
Location	Tarlac City, Philippines
Coordinates	15°26′04″N120°36′07″E / 15.4345°N 120.6019°E / 15.4345; 120.6019
Building details
General information
Inaugurated	August 21, 2001
Renovated	2023–2025
Owner	Ninoy & Cory Aquino Foundation
Technical details
Material	Concrete, steel, glass
Design and construction
Architect(s)	Dan Lichauco
Architecture firm	Francisco Mañosa & Partners

Aquino Center and Museum is a museum in Tarlac City, Philippines dedicated to Senator Ninoy Aquino and presidents Corazon and Benigno Aquino III.

History

Ninoy Aquino's bloodied jacket on display at the museum (2008)

Work on establishing the Aquino Center began in 1993, a year after Corazon Aquino's presidency. The facility was inspired from the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston. The Benigno Aquino Foundation (later known as the Ninoy & Cory Aquino Foundation or NCAF) garnered ₱200 million from donors worldwide for the establishment of the museum while the Cojuangco family donated a 5 hectares (12 acres) lot within the Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac City. ^{[1] [2]}

Aquino Center and Museum opened in August 21, 2001 in a ceremony attended by Corazon Aquino herself. The museum features the career of Senator Ninoy Aquino including his assassination, the EDSA Revolution, and the subsequent presidency of Corazon Aquino. ^{[1] [3] [4]}

Under NCAF executive director Kiko Aquino Dee, the museum closed after the 2022 presidential election which was won by Bongbong Marcos and underwent a two year renovation. The museum reopened in February 25, 2025. Additional memorabilia, including ones related to the presidency of Benigno Aquino III was included. ^[5]

Architecture and design

Dan Lichauco, an architect of the Francisco Mañosa firm and nephew of Ninoy Aquino, was designed the Aquino Center and Museum. ^[1] The concrete, steel and glass building has a U-shaped structure with a lawn on its center. ^{[2] [3]} Lichauco also worked on the 2023–2025 renovation under Archion Architects. ^[6]

References

1. Ramirez, Joanne Rae (August 22, 2001). "'Ninoy was lucky he had me for a wife'". The Philippine Star. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
2. Dizon, Ronaldo; Arador, Russel (August 21, 2002). "A symbol of hope, democracy". Philippine Daily Inquirer. p. A17. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
3. Silvestre, Rodolfo Jr. "Somewhere in Hacienda Luisita". Philippine Daily Inquirer. p. F6. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
4. Orejas, Tonette (February 25, 2025). "Tarlac museum tells Aquinos' 'love story' with the people". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
5. Oliveros, Gabriel (February 25, 2025). "Aquino Museum reopens in Tarlac to tell the story of Ninoy, Cory and PNoy — in photos". PCIJ.org. Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
6. Manalo, Jown (February 24, 2025). "Aquino Museum in Tarlac reopens ahead of 39th Edsa anniversary". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved July 11, 2025.