THE National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) has reiterated its guidelines for visitors and urged museum-goers to “treat works of art and specimens on display with utmost care and respect, especially during National Arts Month.”
The NMP reminded the public about museum protocols after a video circulated online last week showing two visitors using a marble artwork as a phone stand to record a TikTok video inside the museum.
In a Facebook post, the uploader lamented how the museum-goers treated the artwork despite a warning that prohibits visitors from touching these.
As of writing, the post has already garnered over 24,000 reactions and 16,000 shares.
What can you do inside the museum?
While taking photos is allowed, video recording inside the premises of the museum is strictly prohibited under the NMP guidelines.
THE NMP likewise prohibits visitors from taking photos with flash as this could potentially damage the artwork inside the museum.
“The NMP would also like to encourage all guests to serve as stewards of our collections and do their part in the protection, preservation, and dissemination of the Legacy of Filipino people,” the NMP statement read.
The National Museum exhibits various significant artworks and artifacts. Some of the famous artworks inside the museum include The Spoliarium by the renowned Filipino activist and painter Juan Luna, the Pietà by Italian sculptor Francesco Riccardo Monti, and the Boat of Charon by Felix Hidalgo.
It also displays the drawings and unfinished artworks of Fernando Amorsolo, a famous portraitist and landscapist known for his works depicting rural Philippine landscapes.
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What are the guidelines?
The three flagship museums of the NMP, namely the National Museum of Fine Arts, the National Museum of Anthropology, and the National Museum of Natural History, are open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
These museums are open from Tuesdays to Sundays except Mondays and religious holidays.
Upon entrance, visitors will be asked to surrender their bags as well as umbrellas, tumblers, and other items that could damage the museum displays.
Only vaccinated visitors are allowed to go inside the museums. But in the case of unvaccinated minors, they have to be accompanied by a vaccinated adult in order to go inside.
What items are not allowed inside the museum premises?
- Art materials (including ink pens) other than pencils
- Bags and luggage larger than 33 x 43 cm (13 x 17 in)
- Backpacks, baby backpack carriers, umbrellas, or other bulky items
- Food and drinks including tumblers
- Plants, flowers, or other organic materials
- Tripods and video cameras
- Wrapped packages including gifts
- Pets
Stringent health protocols
Since the country is still grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, NMP said that wearing face masks inside the museum is highly encouraged, especially for the vulnerable sectors including the elderly, immunocompromised individuals, and pregnant women.
Social distancing should still be followed inside, it said.
The NMP also noted that although water bottles and tumblers are not allowed inside, visitors are permitted to bring their sanitation kids provided that they won’t damage the artworks inside the museum.
