The Ayala Museum, a stylish chronicle of Filipino art and history, should be on many Manila visitors’ itineraries, as you will encounter the world through Filipino lenses in this fascinating gallery. It is located in the trendy Makati district of downtown Manila, which features an elegant selection of Manila serviced apartments for both long-term and short-term visitors. Check into the Ascott Makati for chic renderings of a Makati apartment outfitted with the latest amenities and quality hospitality to make for an unforgettable stay. Founded by decorated Filipino abstract artist Fernando Zobel, the Ayala Museum is an important showcase of Filipino culture influenced by a variety of international creative sources. It stands as a monument that celebrates the merging of the country’s rich past and its role in the global arts scene, which is an important step in opening up new avenues to fuel artistic creativity. Ayala features several prominent standing exhibitions including intriguing dioramas by Zobel, the sailing vessels that once formed an important part of the country’s history and a fascinating chronicle of a century of Filipino art. You will also discover thousands of gold artefacts that hearken back to the advanced civilizations in the country that predated colonisation, an exhibition of stunning and rare silk embroidered clothing and a feature solely dedicated to the cultural ties forged with China and the rest of Southeast Asia. No other museum presents the unique cultural glimpses of the Ayala so it is a must-visit when you are in Manila.
Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and intends to visit them all someday.