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Got Time? Explore these Historical Places in Metro Manila for FREE!
If you are running out of things to do, drop by these places in Metro Manila for free!
By: Patricia Marie Prado | October 04, 2018
Filipinos are known for being thrifty, and it’s something we are not ashamed of. If things are free, why not take advantage of it? Instead of wasting your free time on things that don’t t really enrich you, why not take advantage of ones that will help you grow? From historical sites and kids museums to bookstores and cinemas featuring foreign films, there are places in the Metro you can visit to enrich your mind amp up your cultural knowledge.
Read on and see a couple of entertaining yet informative places you can visit around Metro Manila for free!
1. The Money Museum
Where: A. Mabini St. cor. P. Ocampo St. Malate, Manila
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (except holidays), 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Know our money’s sparkling history at The Money Museum.
Images: @carlo.bandid, @sonox23
Money is a hot topic right now especially with the hiking national inflation rate. To ease your mind off of the economic stress, why not visit The Money Museum. Located inside the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the museum allows you to walk through the evolution of currency in the Philippines. You’ll discover artifacts from the early barter system, to the use of the Mickey Mouse money during the Japanese occupation, and up to our current bills.
Aside from a wide range of notes, coins, and other money-related items, The Money Museum also contains various pieces of artworks from the BSP art collection.
2. National Museum of Fine Arts
Where: Padre Burgos Ave, Ermita, Manila
Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Be in awe of thousands of artworks including the Spoliarium at the National Museum of Fine Arts.
Images: @alyssamari_tano, @marlrypri
The branches of the National Museum of the Philippines are rarely visited by many Filipinos. Unbeknownst to many, the museums hold hundreds of years of educational and historical treasures for everyone to see. That is why when they announced that the entrance fee is permanently waived, the museum branches became an immediate popular destination especially for the youth.
One of the branches is the National Museum of Fine Arts. The neoclassical building houses 1,032 collections of various artworks from the 18th to the 21st century. It also houses the well-renowned Spoliarium of Juan Luna and the sculpture Mother’s Revenge created by national hero, Jose Rizal.
3. National Museum of Anthropology
Where: Agrifina Circle, Rizal Park, Manila
Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Discover the everyday treasures that help shape our country in the National Museum of Anthropology.
Images: @balili_u_balili, @kurt_balmes
The National Museum of Anthropology, the former house of Department of Finance, now contains over 10,000 ethnographic artifacts from the various tribes and peoples of the country. Here, you’ll find simple yet significant items such as baskets, textiles, and weapons to various agricultural tools and musical instruments that helped shape the cultural heritage of the Philippines.
One of the famous displays in the National Museum of Anthropology include the Wrecks of San Diego, a sunken warship built in Cebu by European boat-builders that was later discovered 50 meters deep near Fortune Island in Nasugbu.
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4. National Museum of Natural History
Where: T.M. Kalaw Street, corner General Luna Street
Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Dive deeper into our country’s flora and fauna at the National Museum of Natural History.
Images: hilda_garde, @paulalbrt
To complete your tour, make sure to also stop by the National Museum of Natural History. It became famous for the humongous structure located in the middle of the museum called The Tree of Life. The DNA-like structure stands six stories high and has a scenic elevator open for public use.
The National Museum of Natural History features a collection of botanical, geological, and zoological artifacts, most of which can only be found in our country.
5. Reading Club 2000
Where: 1454 Balagtas St., Barangay La Paz, Makati City
Get free books, or even give back, at Reading Club 2000.
Images: @lightedrooms, @berkmumy
Another place that will enrich your mind is the Reading Club 2000. It’s a library along Balagtas Street in Makati managed by Hernando “Nanie” Guanlao. Mang Nanie, fondly called by borrowers, dreamt of sharing his personal collection of books to the public. He also encourages readers to borrow or even keep as many books as they want without having to pay for it.
If you’re also a bibliophile, browse over Mang Nanie’s collection that spans from children’s books, to comics, and even novels. He is known for providing books to students and even people from far-flung places that don’t have access to books. But the best part, you can also donate some from your personal collection.
6. Alliance Française de Manille
Where: 209 Nicanor Garcia Street, Bel-Air II Makati
Operating hours: Monday to Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Friday and Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Expand your horizon and catch free French films at Alliance Française de Manille.
Image: @kvconducto, @carla_paradiso
Alliance Française de Manille is a non-profit organization that tirelessly promotes the French culture in the Philippines through various cultural activities. One of which is a free weekly screening of notable French films at their Cine Club. Here, you can watch classic and contemporary French masterpieces, and, from time to time, Filipino indie movies that will challenge your intellect and appreciate the French culture and way of life.
The Alliance Française screening is on a first-come, first-served basis, so be as early as you can. You can also visit their website for movie screening schedules.
7. Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines
Where: 2F Mancor Corporate Center, 32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Operating hours: Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Discover Seoul before the K-pop era at Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines.
Image: Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines
We Filipinos love everything Korean, but if you want to go beyond K-dramas and K-pop you can also visit the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines. KCC hosts various events to promote the Korean culture in the country. Some of the affairs they host include free movie screenings in various malls in the country, Korean language classes, and even Korean food classes.
KCC is also known for their exhibitions that showcases the beauty and culture of South Korea. They are currently hosting Mega Seoul 4 Decades, an exhibition that features the works of 62 photographers showcasing the evolution of the megacity that is Seoul. Admission is free and it will run until November 30.
8. Presidential Museum and Library
Where: 2/F Kalayaan Hall, Malacañang, J.P. Laurel Street, San Miguel, Manila
Operating hours: Monday to Friday, except holidays; 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Visit the Presidential Museum and Library and learn about our presidents.
Image: malacanang.gov.ph
The Malacañang Palace is one of the hardest places to visit due to security purposes, but there’s a place here you can explore for free--the Presidential Museum and Library. Located at the Kalayaan Hall, it is tasked to manage, preserve, and promote the history and heritage of the Philippine Presidency.
Here, you’ll find various books, periodicals, and publications dating as far back as 1900’s. You will also see the various pieces and artworks that showcase the many men and women that became president of the country. You also get to enjoy the beautiful architecture and interiors of the Philippine seat of power. Before visiting, do note that security is strict and scheduling a visit is necessary.
Check out our list of museums in Metro Manila or browse the Best Local Places category of the Yoorekka Magazine.
Some things in life are free and many of them are fun and educational places that can be found in the Metro! Let us know in the comments section which of these places you will visit soon.
* Click the store links to see the exact addresses and contact numbers of featured establishments.
* Photos/Images are from the official websites and/or Facebook pages of featured establishments and/or organizers.
About Patricia Marie Prado
Patricia came from the field of business and accounting but is now pursuing her dreams of being a writer. She is a self-confessed introvert and is passionate about reading, travelling, writing, movies, coffee and God. When she's not writing, she loves discovering new coffee shops/cafe and doing TV-series marathons.
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