Museum Foundation of the Philippines Set to Hold "ANG MUSEO" Awards in October

Museum Foundation of the Philippines just held a short program to announce "ANG MUSEO", an award giving body dedicated to Philippine based museums and it's workers. Present during the occasion are Museum Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. (MFPI) officers Danny C. Jacinto, Ms. Gemma Cruz Araneta, Atty. Dominador D. Buhain, Maximillan G. Ventura and . Also in the event were Board of Trustees Maximillan G. Ventura, Michael Angelo V. Liwanag, Ma. Belen Pilar M. Fernand, Roberto F. Abastillas, Ma. Rosario A. Estrada, Melvin M. Mangada, Maria Karina Garila, and Atty. Reginald Dimacuha. As a non profit and non governmental organization, they help entities preserve the country's rich artistic and cultural heritage.

Danny Jacinto who heads the foundation told us "There's a special reason for you to be here, we are celebrating our 40th anniversary. Today we are announcing something big, good afternoon!"

Misha who hosted the event adds "We are pleased to share with you about this. There is a renewed interest in culture, we see students and schools visiting museums, no structure but they go on tours, visit landmarks, and new ones are opening in the. country. We see the National Museum is expanding it's presence, in Iloilo, Davao, and Cebu. Government is pushing for stronger heritage conservation authored by Loren Legarda (5). The cultural efforts show how it is alive, but there is no recognition for these entities. They do this quietly, mostly museum workers, and we decided to take action. The Museum Foundation was in a crossroads in 1986, we feel this is the right moment to launch something meaningful for nation building. Today we are proud to introduce to you ANG MUSEO Gawad ng Museum Foundation of the Philippines. It is the first private sector award that honors excellence in museum practice in the Philippines. They are living institutions that tell our stories, a start of a movement to promote higher standards in museum practice. From large to small, from local to national, we celebrate the people behind our museums. It is who we are, and if we share our love for heritage, we strengthen our organization too."

ANG MUSEO

Ten initial awards will be given away this year

Gawad sa Pamanang Tanghal

(Permanent Exhibition of the Year)

Gawad sa Sangay ng Pambansang Museo

(NMP Satellite Museum of the Year)

Gawad sa Napapanahong Tanghal

(Temporary Exhibition of the Year)

Gawad sa Natatanging Paglilingkod ng Indibidwal 

(Individual Achievement Award)

Gawad para sa Institusyong Pang-Edukasyon

(Educational Institute Museum of the Year)

Gawad sa Tagapagtaguyod ng Sining at Kultura 

(Patron of the Arts or Special Recognition Award)

Gawad para sa Natatanging Pamana

ng Bayan: Lunsod o Munisipalidad

(Local Museum of the Year)

Gawad sa Natatanging Pamumuno ng Museo

(Museum Leadership Award)

Gawad sa Natatanging Programa ng Museo

(Program of the Year)

Gawad sa Natatanging Kawani ng Museo

(Museum Worker of the Year) 2026

There will be a registration fee of Php 3,000 for admin costs. The complete guidelines and you can send supporting documents in this portal available at museumfoundation.org. Announcement and updates will be available on their Facebook and Instagram accounts @MuseumFoundationPH.

For those who don't know, they are the same organization who helped the National Museum put up the iconic TREE OF LIFE.  Hopefully they'd be able to hold the event there on October this year. Please wait for updates about it on their social pages soon!

Where To Get National Museum beep™ Cards

For those looking to collect cards from beep™, you've got to see these new ones they just released the National Museum beep™ cards.

The designs include 4 National Museum structures in the Philippines that include "The National Museum of Fine Arts", "The National Museum of Anthropology", "The National Museum of Natural History" and the "National Museum of the Philippines-Cebu". On its face are artists work like Lualhati by Guillermo Tolentino, the historical Manunggul Jar, the largest saltwater crocodile LOLONG, and the Cebu Flower Pecker (a critically endangered species). This is a partnership between the National Museum of the Philippines and AF Payments Inc. which manages beep™.

You may acquire these in LRT/MRT Stations, online shops and various authorized establishments for Php 400. It comes loaded with Php 50 and can be used in different modes of transportation, Lawson convenience Stores, Uncle John's and modern jeepneys. To know more, please go to the National Museum social channels and official website. You may also get in touch with beep™ and partner up with your brand via beep.com.ph/beep-business/ if you're interested. AF Payments, Inc. is a consortium of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and the Ayala Corporation.

Pampanga: Betis Church

The travel from Clark in Angeles Pampanga to Betis Church was a long ride. It took us around an hour or two if I'm not mistaken. We traveled on the sides of Pampanga's very own Mega Dike which was made to save several towns from lahar and pyroplastic flows during the Mount Pinatubo eruption in the 90's. 

The government spent millions on this project and I guess it served its purpose. 

Arriving at the Betis Churchbwe were greeted by a really neat facade which dates up to the year 1700. 

This is one of two churches in the Philippines that still have hard wood flooring. Most churches have cement or marble.

Outside the church, they have several structures all made for their patron saints and for a miraculous fountain which is a little dirty now.

I wasn't really prepared to see what was inside, but I'm telling you... It was really breathtaking!

This is Jesus ascending into heaven, it was at the center of the church ceiling.

The church was a mix if rustic, shabby chic. It was restored in the 60's so you can really see the details above. 

The central part where the priest officiates the mass was equally gorgeous. It was full of cherubs, saints and a couple of angels here and there. 

The altar had a multitude of hand carved saints showing how much this area has grown to be the furniture capital of Luzon. It might even have Cebu a run for its money.

On the left side of the church is this mural of Christ and Mama Mary when he was brought down from the cross.

On the right side, they had a portrait of the holy family. I must say I have visited Betis Church before but I've never seen it this close or paid attention that much. There are also a few more statues outside that you should see. Thanks to the City Government of San Fernando and Association of Travel Agencies in Pampanga (ATAP) for arranging our trip. This part was definitely awesome. 

More updates in a bit!

Kumagcow.com