Gallery I (Luis I. Ablaza Hall) of the National Art Gallery features Philippine religious art pieces that are worth visiting, especially this time of the year. October is Museums and Galleries month (and the month of the Holy Rosary) and in order to celebrate this event, admission is free to the National Art Gallery, Museum of the Filipino People and National Planetarium until October 31, 2014.
Gallery I contains two retables facing each other. The one on the left side of the entrance is ginormous and intricate.
Retablo (Side Altar) of Church of San Nicolas de Tolentino, Dimiao, Bohol by an unknown artist (Wood)
Retablo, smaller one opposite the one on top (Side Altar) of Church of San Nicolas de Tolentino, Dimiao, Bohol by an unknown artist (Wood)
Retablo detail
Aside from the retablo, there are dozens of noteworthy artworks that were produced between 17th and 19th century colonial Philippines.
The National Art Gallery is along P. Burgos Street, Ermita, Manila. It is open Tuesdays to Sundays from 10:00am to 5:00pm. It is closed on Mondays and public holidays. Regular admission price for adult is P150 (US $3.46), senior citizen with ID, P120 (US $2.77), student with ID, P50 (US $1.15) and children below four years old get in for free. Entrance is free to all visitors on Sundays. Gallery tours are available, just contact Museum Education at (02) 527-0278 or at (02) 527-1215.
How to get to The National Art Gallery:
- Take LRT 1. Get off the train at UN Avenue Station if from the south and at Central Station if from the north. Walk along Taft Avenue (around 3-5 minutes), and then pass Rizal Park. The National Art Gallery is next to Rizal Park.
- If within Manila area, ride a jeepney and get off at P. Burgos Street, along Taft Avenue.
For more information, please visit www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph.