BenCab Museum Contemporary Art Gallery
National Artist Benedicto Cabrera, popularly known as BenCab made another milestone landmark when he built a Museum in his beloved town of Baguio. The BenCab Museum recently opened early this year and I had the chance to see the place. Never did I expect that a museum along Asin road in Baguio could be one of the best museums in the country I’ve been. It’s simply an art and nature fusion haven.
BenCab Museum Lobby Gallery
We barely made it in time before the BenCab Museum closed but the gracious staff of the allowed us to linger awhile. This structure which sits atop the rice terraces of a mountain sports modern architecture. It’s large and spacious interiors have seven galleries or art, installations and permanent exhibits.
Lower Art Galleries
It was really surprising to find 3 descending floors all of which are holding the galleries of Contemporary, Cordillera, Erotica and BenCab’s Permanent Exhibit. All of the walls facing north are made out of glass which gives an unobstructed view of the surrounding mountains.
Cordillera Art Gallery
And get this, Mr BenCab himself bought the whole lot of mountain land opposite the museum. This is to make sure no other structure aside from what he would make could be seen on what he now considers as the museum’s garden. From the upper floors there are verandas to enjoy the whole vista.
Erotica Art Gallery
Imagine rice terraces and Ifugao houses with ducks lingering the area. Cutting between the museum grounds and the mountain opposite is a creek. It was late afternoon when we got there and we chanced upon seeing the low sun setting among the clouds at the west. I never thought that I could see the South China Sea here behind the mountain gradients. I could see why BenCab could have chosen this spot. It was just perfect.
West Mountain View and Gardens
Too bad Café Isabel on the ground floor which has access to the Gardens was closed at time. I bet it would be great to just sit by there with a cup of coffee or hot choco while enjoying the breeze and the views. But the Museum closes at 5pm. I hope they could somehow extend the time for people to enjoy the sunset.
Bencab Museum Farm and Garden
If I go back to Baguio, I’ll make sure I visit the place again. I could a lot more than half a day here just going through the gallery, having a snack at the café and also lingering along the garden. It’s great to see people such as BenCab who uses his money well like this. Building something that could enrich the culture of people as well as appreciate nature.
BenCab Museum Facade
BenCab Museum
Km 6, Asin Road, Baguio
(15min drive from Baguio City proper, Jeeps from Market going through Asin Road also passes by the area)
Museum hours:
Tuesdays to Sundays 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
(last entry at 4:30 pm). Closed on Mondays.
Admission:
General: P100
Students and senior citizens with valid ID: P80
and ive been longing to see that museum. malamang next year na. set in a very nice place. world class talaga si ben cab.
His works are amazing! Ganda ng place. I met him one time in a bookfair back in college he was looking for art books, hindi ko alam na he’s famous but he gave me a greeting card with his artwork printed on it then signed his name. A very humble person. Thanks Ferds for sharing
really awesome!
will visit this pag nakarating ako ng baguio
I always thought an artist become rich after he is dead…
Impressive Museum!
[...] good revisit that afternoon was BenCab Museum. I wrote about it before and thought it was one of the best Art Museums in the country. But this [...]