National Museum of Anthropology

From prehistoric times to the present day, the National Museum of the Filipino People packs in thousands of years of indigenous culture, anthropology and archaeology. Five permanent exhibitions tell the story of the Philippines through a vast collection of artefacts and informative displays.

One of the most fascinating items in The Origin exhibition is the relic of Tabon Man, believed to have lived around 24,000 BC. His fossilised skull is one of the oldest human relics ever found in the Philippines. The San Diego gallery houses a Spanish galleon which sunk off the Manila coast in 1600. See the salvaged cookery utensils from the ship’s galley, as well as personal items belonging to its passengers and crew, including gold coins, jewellery and ceramics. Eleven of its huge cannons were also recovered from the wreck and are now proudly on display.

Long before the Spanish Colonial era, the Philippine Islands were an important link in the trading routes of Southeast Asia. Many items from the cargoes of wrecked merchant ships are on display in Five Centuries of Maritime Trade, giving a comprehensive overview of the region’s prestigious role in global commerce.

Kaban ng Lahi, the gallery of architectural treasures, houses many intriguing items unearthed from ancient burial sites, including an impressive collection of secondary burial jars. These were used in ceremonial rituals conducted after decomposition, during which the skeleton would be cleaned and treated in a traditional practice known as “bone washing” and then reburied in jars fashioned in the shape of human figures. The prize item in the collection is the Manunggul jar dating from the 8th century BC.

Find out more about the ancient Filipino way of life in a traditional one-room house filled with domestic items and cooking utensils. Originally located in the province of Ifugao, the historic house on stilts was taken apart piece by piece and painstakingly rebuilt in the museum courtyard.

The National Museum of the Filipino People is in the grounds of Rizal Park, an easy taxi ride from the city centre. It is open every day except Monday and the admission price also includes entry to the National Planetarium.