THE P300-MILLION, six-story National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) Davao officially opens its doors on Sunday, December 1.
This is the 17th regional component museum of the NMP and the fourth under the Mindanao National Museum of the NMP.
Arvin Manuel Villalon, Mindanao National Museums director told reporters, that opening the museum is very significant in conserving and preserving the symbolic artifacts that the youth can learn and enjoy.
“The museum serves as an actual visualization for the children to appreciate the history of the region more than what is written in the books,” Villalon said.
The durian-inspired structure nods to the region’s identity, especially to Davao City, which is the iconic durian fruit.
The first four floors are dedicated to the exhibits managed by NMP while the fifth is reserved for the Museo Dabawenyo.
The first floor features artworks of Davao’s local artists such as “Habilin” by Joel Gelamen, “Mebuyan” by Jong Tangiday, and “Ahungan sa Pagkakaisa,” a monumental installation by Kublai Millan.
Late National Artist Victorio Edades’ “Davao Industries” painting which captures the hard work and resourcefulness of the people, will be displayed in 2025.
The second floor exhibits specimens and images of the biodiversity and unique landscape of the region. It comprises sections: Davao Landscapes, featuring the huge variety of rocks and landforms; A Time Underwater, the marine life and marine fossils of the region; and Life Beneath the Gulf, featuring the coral reef ecosystem of Davao Gulf.
Gentle Giants of the Gulf, Cave life, Meet the Stegodon, Highlights of the Davao Lowlands, Mindanao’s Insect Diversity, Mossy Forest, the Philippine Eagle, and the Mt. Apo are also featured on the second floor.
Meanwhile, the third floor which is titled “Bahandi: Rituals in Life Cycles” features the interconnectedness of the national and cultural heritage of the different indigenous tribes, Moro, and indigenous groups in the region.
The sections of Bahandi document the rites of passage, occasions in one’s life in the community from childbirth, other forms of subsistence, festivities, and death. It also features trading, rituals, heirlooms, artifacts, and archeological discoveries.
The fourth floor on the other hand is titled “Kabilin: Enduring Textile Tradition of Mindanao.” It features clothing of different IP groups, cultural and migrant, from tie-dye woven abaca fibers, silk, and cotton cloth with beads, shells, and applique embellishments. This section also honors the Gawad ng Manlilikha ng Bayan or National Living Treasure lives and works.
The textile exhibition is in partnership with Senator Loren Legarda, and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, part of the Hibla ng Lahing Program, where NMP Davao is the 7th Hibla ng Lahing Filipino Regional Gallery.
Also found on the fourth floor are the works of Dabawenyo expressionist, Ang Kiukok, an influential figure in Philippine modern art. One of Kiukok’s distinct works is his expression of landscapes as junkscapes, which captures resilience even with the intensity of his art.
Located inside People’s Park, NMP-Davao’s admission is free. The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. beginning Tuesday to Sunday. The museum is also open to educational tours provided they have pre-booked to schedule the actual visit.
