The Works of Art Inside BenCab Museum
Tired of visiting the same places in Baguio City? Why not go to Tuba, Benguet and experience a different adventure by visiting BenCab Museum. A 15 minute drive away from Baguio City is the museum owned by Benedicto Reyes Cabrera, also known as BenCab. The museum houses his own artworks and collections of painting from different Filipino Art Masters and contemporary artists.
BenCab started making a place for himself in Manila’s art circles presently after getting his Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from the University of the Philippines in 1963. His exhibits were shown extensively in the Philippines, and in Asia, Europe and the United States. He has won several awards including Gawad CCP Para sa Sining (Cultural Center of the Philippines Award for the Arts) and in 2006, he was awarded by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as the National Artist for Visual Arts. BenCab is hailed as a master of contemporary Philippine art. Today, BenCab lives and works in Baguio.
Inside BenCab Museum. The museum accommodates range of galleries which exhibits number of artworks from the National Artist himself.
This artwork points toward the South China Sea. According to our museum guide, we can actually see the sea from this point but sadly, the view was obstructed with fog.
A lot of artworks about Sabel can be seen inside the museum. She’s the major subject of BenCab’s work which is inspired by a real-life scavenger. Sabel has become BenCab’s vehicle for carrying out his emotional moods.
The museum has several galleries that exhibits art collections coming from BenCab himself and some artists.
These galleries highlights series of painting, drawings, prints, statues and sculptures. The museum has also become the venues for art shows and exhibitions.
If you feel that the tour inside the museum is getting you bored, then get inside the Erotica Gallery.
If I’m not mistaken, I think this is Bulol / Bulul. The carved wooden figure used to guard the rice crop by the Igorot people.
Ifugao are known to their skill in carving Bulols (Bululs). The sculpture is a gurdian figure of the Ifugao people. It is said that Bulols (Bululs) are higly representation of their ancestors.
More of the sculpture inside the museum.
A gallery dedicated for tribal artifacts, sculptures and culture of the Ifugao people could be found inside the museum.
Indeed, the musuem is true to its vision of getting arts closer to the people and its commitment of the promotion of art, and the preservation, conservation and protection of the environment, as well as the culture and traditions of the Cordilleras.
It took us almost an hour and a half to tour around the museum. There are still more to find inside BenCab’s museum. These examples of work of arts signify stories and representation. These should be appreciated with essence and be learned with its story behind. Museum isn’t boring after all.
Besides a tour inside BenCab Museum, a resident Cafe is also available at the lower ground. The cafe was named after BenCab’s major subject of hist artwork, the restaurant is called Cafe Sabel.
Also a garden is located at the back of the building. One can go for a nature trail towards the falls with a corresponding fee.
How to Get There? Jeep to Asin from jeepney terminal near Baguio market.
Museum hours:
Open daily except Mondays, Christmas Day & New Year’s Day
from 9:00am to 6:00pm (last entry at 5:30pm)
Admission to the Museum:
General: PHP 100.00
Students and senior citizens with valid ID: PHP 80.00
Special rates for student groups with prior arrangement.
To know more of the museum, you may visit their official website provided below.
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Trip Tips:
- A gudied tour can be arranged at the reception area
- Flash photography is not allowed
- No touching of artwork
- Bringing of food and drinks aren’t allowed inside the museum. These are only permitted to Cafe Sabel
- Smoking is not allowed anywhere in the Museum
BenCab Museum
Km. 6 Asin Road, Tadiangan,
Tuba, Benguet, Philippines
Tel /Fax: (+63 74) 442 7165
Email: bencabartfoundation@gmail.com
www.bencabmuseum.org
too bad i haven't been into his museum but i attended symposia and lectures on his works…
pang first year lesson sa arts ang bul'ul and other northern visual arts and culture kaya passionate ako pag tinuturo ko to 🙂 and their major project is to make their own bul'ul…
too bad i haven't been into his museum but i attended symposia and lectures on his works…
pang first year lesson sa arts ang bul'ul and other northern visual arts and culture kaya passionate ako pag tinuturo ko to 🙂 and their major project is to make their own bul'ul…
Thank you Doc Wends!
Thank you Doc Wends!
I love this post. When I am heading up to Baguio, il check this out. Eto pala ang ginagaya ng mga ibang artists na concept ng pag-sculpture ng wood.
Nicely written post! 🙂
I love this post. When I am heading up to Baguio, il check this out. Eto pala ang ginagaya ng mga ibang artists na concept ng pag-sculpture ng wood.
Nicely written post! 🙂