NMP Bohol kicks off Museum, Galleries Month

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA) — To emphasize the role of museums and galleries in enriching the Filipino culture, the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) in Bohol opened the Museum and Galleries Month (MGM) 2024 on Oct. 1 with a lecture series entitled “Why Museums Matter.”Held every October since 1991 by virtue of Presidential Proc. No. 798, this year’s MGM carries the theme “Honoring Traditions, Fostering Innovations,” emphasizing the significance of balancing cultural heritage with modern advancements.

The lecture was conducted at the CPG Courtyard in NMP-Bohol by Visayas National Museums Director II, Atty. Ma. Cecilia U. Tirol, and were attended by members of the academe and local tour guides from Bohol.

“There’s a basic story. You make it more evocative to make people pay more attention but the story is not lost. It’s just how you tell the story, without needing to change the narrative,” Tirol explained.

“It’s defining a new approach to accommodate more use, leverage on what you have, and create more of what you have,” she added.

During the open forum, Tirol addressed various questions, including those about the province’s status as the first UNESCO Global Geopark in the Philippines and the support provided by the local government.

Tour guides have noted an increase in tourist numbers since the UNESCO Global Geopark designation of Bohol, with many visitors expressing curiosity about the recognition.

Events

As part of the MGM 2024 celebration, NMP Bohol will host a series of plenary lectures, including discussions on storytelling, conservation, and global geoparks.

Following the lectures, participants will be treated to tours of notable local museums such as Museo Parroquial de Baclayon on Oct. 11, Amarela Resort Art Gallery on Oct. 18, and Nova Shell Museum on Oct. 25.

With the aim to deepen the participants’ appreciation of cultural significance, particularly within the Bohol Island Geopark, these activities are conducted in collaboration with partner museums and the Provincial Government of Bohol, through the Center for Culture and Arts Development (CCAD).

Museum enthusiasts can also look forward to “Sabado Nights Sa Museo,” a weekend Crafts and Crops Bazaar that will showcase Bohol’s vibrant culture and heritage where visitors can enjoy traditional Boholano food and drinks at the azotea while supporting local artisans.

Concessionaires include Tubigon Raffia Gallery, Purple Women, Makata Shirts PH, YMMYLYN ART, DYNA 3D, VM Museum & Gallery, and Weave Joy.

“This is an excellent opportunity to immerse in local craftsmanship and flavors, all while celebrating Bohol’s rich cultural tapestry,” according to NMP Bohol head Rachelle Lacea.

NMP Bohol is open to the public on Tuesdays to Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with free admission.

Visitors can also explore fascinating exhibits, including an installation featuring the underwater beauty of the Danajon Bank Double-Barrier Reef by the Tubigon Raffia Gallery, offering a glimpse of Bohol’s natural wonders.

This year’s MGM theme encapsulates the challenge of promoting cultural evolution while preserving heritage – especially in a province like Bohol where traditions run deep. (ECB/PIA7-Bohol)

In celebration of Museums and Galleries Month, visitors at the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) Bohol can explore fascinating exhibits, including this installation featuring the underwater beauty of the Danajon Bank Double-Barrier Reef by the Tubigon Raffia Gallery, offering a glimpse of Bohol’s natural wonders. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)

The National Museum of the Philippines (NMP)-Bohol opened the Museums and Galleries Month (MGM) through the lecture series, "Why Museums Matter" by Visayas National Museums Director II, Atty. Ma. Cecilia U. Tirol as the keynote speaker on October 1, 2024 held at the CPG Courtyard in NMP-Bohol. It was attended by members of the academe and organizations of local tour guides in Bohol. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)