One never stops learning, from reading a book, to traveling, or to visiting a museum, there is always inspiration lurking in every corner. This is one reason why museum visits always give my mind a buzz.
Just outside Baguio City, is probably one of the country’s most famous private galleries, the BenCab Museum. Established by National Artist Ben Cabrera to house his art collection, the four level museum is also where the artist lives when he is not in Metro Manila.
One enters the museum at street level with galleries progressing downwards. After paying the entrance fee of Php100, one is first greeted by BenCab’s collection of Bulol. The bulol, or Ifugao rice god, is a carved human-like figure used by the Ifugao as guardians of their rice harvest. Each bulol is carved with different patterns and ornaments, and are highly symbolic of the ancestors of the Ifugao people.
Also prominently displayed in the galleries are massive Hagabi. Hagabi are long wooden benches carved from one single piece of wood. These are a symbol of prestige and wealth among Ifugao. Off to one side of the second level, is a small but popular erotica gallery that features various works on the subject.
It is on this level where one can find the BenCab Gallery where many of the artist personal works are displayed. Prominently displayed are his many variations of Sabel, one of the artists best-known muses. There is also the Indigo Gallery where contemporary artists are featured on special exhibition.
Another level down and one arrives at the Philippine Contemporary Galleries where various works by younger artists are featured. What excited me the most however, and what I felt was the highlight of the museum, was the Maestro Gallery where works by other national artists such as Arturo Luz, Victorio Edades, and Ang Kiu Kok were exhibited.
The last level of the museum is where Cafe Sabel is located. This is also the level where one can access the farm and garden of the museum.
The BenCab Museum is located at Km. 6 Asin Road, Tadiangan, Tuba, Benguet and is open daily except Mondays, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
To get to Baguio, take a bus or UV express from Clark. Airasia flies four times weekly from Davao to Clark.
