I love museums and was excited when it was announced that the Capitol Building damaged by 2013 – 7.2 magnitude earthquake will be reconstructed as a new and bigger National Museum- Bohol Branch!
To contrast, here are photos of the facade before and after the renovation:
BEFORE
AFTER
Standing tall in front of Tagbilaran Cathedral and city plaza, the museum is now ready for visitors. While there are still a few exhibits, it is still worth visiting! Let me tell you:
Why you should visit the National Museum – Bohol Branch
1. Impressive renovation
A building constructed from “1855 to 1860 to serve as a tribunal and military quarters for a Spanish military force.” was damaged. It is around 163 years old!
And restoring it took years after thorough research not just on proper materials to use but also on the design appropriate for the period it was constructed – and who knows what else. Know more here.
BUT now it is as good as new! I mean… a new old looking building? But really. When I went inside I loved all those natural light. 😍 Which is a touch of modern to it?
2. Pagpauli Exhibit
“Pagpauli”, is a Visayan word for “return”. This exhibition is a homecoming for the masterpieces of the Father of Modern Philippine Sculpture – Boholano National Artist Napoleon Abueva. A rare close look at the collection kept by his family is now all ready to be viewed by the public.
3. Pagbanhaw Exhibit
This exhibit shows the National Heritage Restoration and Reconstruction program in the Visayas region. How fitting this exhibit is to the museum’s history. It showcases the devastating effects of the earthquake on the Spanish- era structures like churches and light towers.
As a Boholana, seeing the replica of damaged historical structures was sad but the event aside from bringing devastation also brought amazing realizations and developments not just on infrastructure but to the community as well. It somehow is like a beginning of a paradigm shift.
4. “Instagramable” as people say.
Seriously, I love how photogenic the place is. 😍 Here are some photos I and my friends took during the visits.
Here are also photos I got a chance to take on three of Miss Bohol 2018 candidates!
I am looking forward to the coming of new exhibits. And hopefully will be seeing more Boholano artists too!
ADMISSION IS FOR FREE! So drag your friends to the National Museum now.
The Boholana 