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| Mt. Mayon's Volcanic Rocks |
I am so happy to be able to fly kronos (the drone) even just for a while and enjoyed the beach before habagat came and ended the hot summer.
One of my favorite indoor activities on wet season is to explore museums. The former Department of Tourism (DOT) building located within the Rizal Park (Luneta) has been transformed into a National Museum of Natural History.
I heard from the news that the museum has finally opened its doors to the public on May 18, 2018 just in time for the International Museum Day. The news also said that entrance is free.
On a rainy Saturday afternoon, I decided to take a look at the newly opened Museum located at the corner of Kalaw St. and Taft Avenue in Manila. I arrived at the museum past twelve in the afternoon. There was a queue of visitors at the main entrance and I waited for an hour to get inside the museum.
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| Facade and Main Entrance |
I was excited to see the museum and eager to get inside to see the interior which, according to the National Museum of the Philippines, was inspired by Nature, hence it is the Museum of Natural History.
After passing through the security check, I signed on the visitors' log book, deposited my bag and finally entered the main hall.
WHAT CAN BE SEEN INSIDE THE MUSEUM
Lolong's replica and skeleton
As I entered the main hall through the upper floor entrance, "Lolong" welcomed me. A replica of the salt-water crocodile captured in Agusan Del Sur is on display near the entrance door. Measuring 6.17 meters/20 feet 3 in and weighing 2,370 lbs (1,075 kg), the crocodile was known for a Guinness World Record as the "world's largest crocodile in captivity".
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| Lolong' Replica |
The creature died in captivity on February 10, 2013 and the remains were transferred to the National Museum, its final resting place.
Officials of the Museum said that the preserved skin of "Lolong" will eventually replace the replica once the ongoing necessary preparations are done.
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| Lolong's Skeleton |
Lolong's actual skeleton hangs from the ceiling inside Ayala Reception Hall at the second floor.
Tree of Life, the building itself, the architecture
Dubbed as the "Tree of Life" is a double helix structure at the center supporting a glass dome. It used to be the courtyard of the six storey building.
At the center of the structure is a glass elevator that will take visitors from ground up to the top floor.
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| Tree of Life |
The glass dome allows natural light to enter and casts patterns of shadow on the floor on a sunny day.
A Museum official said that the structure supporting the glass dome was inspired by a microscopic figure of a "DNA".
Mini-mangrove
Perhaps my most favorite exhibit is the recreated mangrove.
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| Mini mangrove forest |
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| Mangrove Crab |
The exhibit displays several species that can be found in mangrove forests such as the Mangrove Crab (Scylla Serata).
Other taxidermied species on display.
Marine life
On display are figures of whale shark, manta ray and dolphins as well as corals of varying colors and other marine species. Also on display is an eye-cathing giant clam.
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| Whale shark, manta ray and dolphins |
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| Giant clam |
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| Hatching Time |
So far, only the first three floors are open and the remaining floors are still restricted as preparations are still ongoing.
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| Philippine Rafflesia |
The Museum officials said that more exhibits will soon open when the preparations for the remaining floors are done. They said that exhibits will be arranged as according to mother nature's order: top floor will showcase exhibits of natural species from high grounds - mountains and forests while the lower floors will showcase exhibits of ground level species and the aquatic world.
Once completed, the best way to explore the exhibits, according to the Museum guides, is to take the glass elevator from ground up to the top floor through the Tree of Life.
At the top, visitors will explore the Natural History of the high lands - mountains and forest and make their way to the ground to see those at the ground level and under water.
The National Museum of Natural History is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 1000H to 1700H.
Visit National Museum website.
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