Established | 2017 |
---|---|
Coordinates | 14°34′59.9″N120°58′55.9″E / 14.583306°N 120.982194°E |
Type | Natural history museum |
Public transit access | United Nations 6 17 United Nations Avenue |
Website | www |
National Museum of the Philippines | |
Building details | |
Former names |
|
General information | |
Status | Open |
Architectural style | Neoclassical |
Location | Rizal Park, Ermita |
Address | T.M. Kalaw Street corner General Luna Street |
Town or city | Manila |
Country | Philippines |
Completed | 1941 |
Renovated | 2015–2018 |
Renovation cost | ₱1 billion |
Technical details | |
Floor count | 6 |
Design and construction | |
Architect(s) | Antonio Toledo |
Renovating team | |
Renovating firm | Dominic Galicia Architects |
Other designers | Tina Periquet (Interior design) |
The National Museum of Natural History (Filipino : Pambansang Museo ng Likas na Kasaysayan) is the national natural history museum of the Philippines. It is located along Agrifina Circle in Rizal Park, Manila. [1]
The building was constructed as the Agriculture and Commerce Building in 1940. It was designed in the Neoclassical style by Filipino architect Antonio Toledo in the late 1930s, having the same dimensions and floor plan as its twin building located at the side of the circle, the Finance Building. Both buildings were destroyed in the Battle of Manila during World War II. Both buildings were reconstructed according to the original plans after the war. [2]
At some point in time, the building was occupied by the Department of Tourism (DOT), hence the building became known as the Department of Tourism Building up until 2015. [3] DOT moved its offices to the nearby city of Makati and is planning to return to Manila after the completion of its proposed headquarters located in Intramuros. [4]
The National Museum Act, which was passed in 1998, [5] mandates the conversion of three civic buildings within Rizal Park, the Legislative Building, the Finance Building, and the Tourism Building, into museums. The Finance Building was the first to be repurposed. In 1998, the building was converted into the National Museum of Anthropology. The Legislative Building was converted into the National Museum of Fine Arts in 2000. [6] The Tourism Building would later become the National Museum of Natural History.
In 2013, preparations were commenced to have the building host the National Museum of Natural History. The administration of President Noynoy Aquino officially launched and backed the formation and establishment of the Museum of Natural History, as well as various regional museums throughout the country. [7] The National Museum of the Philippines invited five architects to submit proposals for the retrofitting and chose the design of the team from Dominic Galicia Architects and interior designer Tina Periquet. Galicia's design involved the maintenance of the building's facade except for the addition of a glass dome supported by a double helix structure inspired by DNA. The dome and supporting structure were dubbed as the "Tree of Life" and will cover the courtyard of the six-storey building. The project, estimated to cost around ₱1 billion, was initially scheduled to be completed in 2015 in time for the 2015 APEC Summit. [8] [9]
A bidding for prospective contractors for the renovation of the building was done in September 2015. [10]
The National Museum of Natural History was officially inaugurated on September 30, 2017. [6] A grand opening for the museum was expected in the later quarter of 2017. [11] The museum opened on May 18, 2018.
Metropolitan Manila, commonly shortened to Metro Manila and formally the National Capital Region, is the capital region and largest metropolitan area of the Philippines. Located on the eastern shore of Manila Bay, the region lies between the Central Luzon and Calabarzon regions. Encompassing an area of 636.00 km2 (245.56 sq mi) and with a population of 13,484,462 as of 2020, it consists of sixteen highly urbanized cities: Manila—the capital city—Caloocan, Las Piñas, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasay, Pasig, Quezon City, San Juan, Taguig, and Valenzuela, along with one independent municipality, Pateros. As the second most populous and the most densely populated region in the Philippines, it ranks as the 9th most populous metropolitan area in Asia and the 6th most populous urban area in the world.
Manila, officially the City of Manila, is the capital and second-most populous city of the Philippines, after Quezon City. Located on the eastern shore of Manila Bay on the island of Luzon, it is classified as a highly urbanized city. Manila is the world's most densely populated city proper, with 43,611.5 inhabitants per square kilometer (112,953/sq mi) and a population of 1,846,513 people in 2020; it is also the historic core of a built-up area that extends well beyond its administrative limits and includes some 24 million people. Manila was the first chartered city in the country, designated by Philippine Commission Act No. 183 on July 31, 1901. It became autonomous with the passage of Republic Act No. 409, "The Revised Charter of the City of Manila", on June 18, 1949. Manila is considered to be part of the world's original set of global cities because its commercial networks were the first to extend across the Pacific Ocean and connect Asia with the Spanish Americas through the galleon trade. This marked the first time an uninterrupted chain of trade routes circling the planet had been established.
Makati, officially the City of Makati, is a highly urbanized city in the National Capital Region of the Philippines, known for being one of the leading financial centers in the country. As of 2013, the city has the highest concentration of multinational and local corporations in the Philippines. Major banks, corporations, department stores as well as foreign embassies are based in Makati. Makati is also known for being a major cultural and entertainment hub in Metro Manila. According to the 2020 census, it had a population of 629,616 people, making it as the 47th most populous city in the country and ranked as the 43rd most densely populated city in the world with 19,336 inhabitants per square kilometer or 50,080 inhabitants per square mile.
Taguig, officially the City of Taguig, is a coastal city located in eastern shores of Metro Manila, the capital region of the Philippines. It is the fifth-most populous city in the country with a population of 1.2 million people. The city is one of the Philippines' cultural, financial, high-tech, entertainment and media centers with significant influence on commerce, health care, research, technology, education, politics, tourism, dining, art, fashion, and sports. Taguig is also an important center for the country's international diplomacy, hosting several embassies. The city also home to the headquarters of several major multinational corporations. Taguig has the fourth largest skyline in the Philippines, with 289 high-rises, 80 of which exceed 100 m (328 ft).
Rizal Park, also known as Luneta Park or simply Luneta, is a historic urban park located in Ermita, Manila. It is considered one of the largest urban parks in the Philippines, covering an area of 58 hectares. The site on where the park is situated was originally known as Bagumbayan during the Spanish colonial period. It is adjacent to the historic Walled City of Intramuros.
The Rizal Memorial Sports Complex is a national sports complex of the Philippines, located on Pablo Ocampo St., Malate, Manila. It is named in honor of the country's national hero, José Rizal (1861–1896). The complex is currently managed by the Philippine Sports Commission, while the property is owned by the Manila City government. The complex also houses the administrative office of the PSC, and quarters for the Philippines' national athletes.
The National Museum of Anthropology, formerly known as the Museum of the Filipino People, is a component museum of the National Museum of the Philippines which houses Ethnological and Archaeological exhibitions. It is located in the Agrifina Circle, Rizal Park, Manila adjacent to the National Museum of Fine Arts building.
The Rizal Memorial Coliseum is an indoor arena in the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila, Philippines. It can hold up to 6,100 people.
Ambeth R. Ocampo is a Filipino public historian, academic, cultural administrator, journalist, author, and independent curator. He is best known for his definitive writings about Philippines' national hero José Rizal and on topics in Philippine history and Philippine art through Looking Back, his bi-weekly editorial page column in the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Pablo Sebero Antonio, Sr. was a Filipino architect. A pioneer of modern Philippine architecture, he was recognized in some quarters as the foremost Filipino modernist architect of his time. The rank and title of National Artist of the Philippines was conferred on him by President Ferdinand Marcos in 1976.
In Metro Manila, Philippines, tourism is a significant industry. In 2012, the city and the region welcomed 974,379 overnight visitors. Serving as the main gateway to the Philippines' numerous destinations, the city attracts mainly international tourists, with a total of 3,139,756 visitors in 2012. Global Blue ranks Manila as the eleventh 'Best Shopping Destination' in Asia. The city holds the tenth position in MasterCard's global top 20 fastest-growing cities for international visitors from 2009 to 2013.
Chino Roces Avenue, formerly known as Pasong Tamo, is a prominent north–south road in Makati and Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines. It runs 5.80 kilometers from Olympia and Tejeros to Fort Bonifacio. The avenue is named after the Filipino journalist Joaquin "Chino" Roces. The fact that the avenue is the location of various media establishments influenced the renaming.
Plaza Lacson, also known by its old name, Plaza (de) Goiti, is a public square in Santa Cruz, Manila. It is bounded by Plaza Santa Cruz Road and Escolta Street to the west, Carlos Palanca Street to the south, and Carriedo Street to the east. Although the plaza is not considered the center of Santa Cruz, as it is located behind the Santa Cruz Church rather than in front of it, the plaza is considered to be one of the most important squares in Manila.
The Makati Central Business District is a privately-owned financial and central business district in the Philippines located in the heart of Makati in Metro Manila. It is politically and administratively known as "Central Cluster" in the West District of Makati. It is different from the Makati civic center known as "Makati Poblacion" which is situated at the northeast portion of the district. It is bounded by EDSA, Amorsolo Street, Ayala Avenue, Gil Puyat Avenue, Osmeña Highway, South Luzon Expressway, Metro Manila Skyway, Zobel Roxas Street, Ocampo Street, Metropolitan Avenue, Nicanor Garcia Street, Kalayaan Avenue, Makati Avenue, Anza Street, Polaris Street, Orion Street, Mercedes Street, Amapola Street and Estrella Street. The whole district occupies barangays of San Antonio, San Lorenzo, Bel-Air, and Urdaneta.
San Lazaro Tourism and Business Park is the marketing name given to the 16-hectare (40-acre) multiple use site under development by the Manila Jockey Club Investments Corp. in Manila, Philippines. It takes its name from the old San Lazaro Hippodrome, a horse racetrack that stood on the site from circa 1900 to 2003. Currently, the site includes the SM City San Lazaro shopping center, the two-tower Vertex office complex, the three-tower Celadon Park and Celadon Residences, and the five-tower Avida Towers San Lazaro condominium complex. It has been declared a tourism economic zone with information technology component in 2009.
José María Vélez Zaragoza was a Filipino architect.
The Agrifina Circle, officially the Teodoro F. Valencia Circle, is a traffic circle within the eastern portion of Rizal Park in Manila, Philippines. It has a diameter of 42 meters (138 ft).