A day at the National Museum
With its modern facade and curious shape, the museum stands out from the rest of NMP’s other buildings which usually utilize old historic structures.
The building of the National Museum of the Philippines Davao is inspired by the spiky durian fruit.
It was just last 1 December 2024 when the doors of the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) Davao branch opened. I would have wanted to visit it immediately, but the lines of enthusiastic Davawenyos and my busy schedule meant that I had to wait for a couple of months before I made a visit, but my wait was truly worth it.
Housed in a purpose-built Durian-shaped building that is inspired by Davao’s famous fruit inside the People’s Park complex in downtown Davao, the museum is the 17th regional component museum of the NMP and is its fourth in Mindanao. With its modern facade and curious shape, the museum stands out from the rest of NMP’s other buildings which usually utilize old historic structures.
The ground level features Victorio Edades’ Davao Industries together with works by various contemporary Davao artists of note.
museum’s ramps wrap around Kublai Milan’s massive Ahungan ng Pagkakaisa installation.
Entering the museum, one is immediately greeted by Kublai Millan’s monumental installation Ahungan ng Pagkakaisa. Inspired by the traditional musical instrument of the Tagakaolo people, also known as tangungu in Bagobo, this centerpiece was crafted by over 50 skilled Manobo weavers, signifying the power of the community.
To the left of the first floor, one can see the epic work of National Artist Victorio Edades, who spent his retirement years in Davao City. On loan from the Bangkok Central ng Pilipinas Collection, Davao Industries features the various agricultural, manufacturing and fishing industries that power Davao’s dynamic economy. Also exhibited on the same floor are works by various contemporary Davao artists.
Galleries featuring Davao’s marine and mangrove ecosystems can be found at the museum’s second level.
