For almost the entire month of September, I was fortunate to be a part of the Tour Guide Training conducted by the Department of Tourism - National Capital Region. The 12th batch to which I belong is unique, because the Department wants to highlight Museums within Metro Manila. As part of our desktop research, our group was assigned to discuss Bahay Tsinoy, located in Intramuros, Manila.
Prior to the training, I know that the museum exists, but is actually clueless on what to expect. Our group visited the museum last September 18, 2019.
Bahay Tsinoy is located at the corner of And a Street and Cabildo Street within Intramuros. Its just a few blocks from Manila Cathedral, but you may opt to take a pedicab (bicycle with side car) to take you there.
Its open in the afternoon from 1:00 PM until 5:00 PM, daily except Monday, with a fee of 100 pesos for adults and 60 pesos for Students.
The Museum is managed by Kaisa Heritage Foundation, and the structure that now house the Kaisa Heritage Centre was built and opened in 1999. A philanthropist by the name of Angelo King provided the initial fund for the purchase and construction with the eventual help of the Chinese - Filipino community.
Like most Chinese structure, foo dogs guard the entrance to the lobby, where you will see the imposing staircase with the replica of a Terra Cotta warrior that was unearthed in 1974 at Lintung Shensi. This was a gift from the Embassy of the People's Republic of China.
On one side is a small table where you will pay the entrance fee and just behind it would be the Museum Entrance.
Early Contacts
This gallery provides an introduction on how the interaction between the native Filipinos with the Chinese predate that of the arrival of the Spanish Colonisers. An imposing diorama of the boat and coastal trading welcomes you as you step behind the introductory wall.
The Parian
Upon the arrival of the Spanish Colonisers, this gallery shows how the Chinese integrated and eventually settled into the filipino community.
The Chinese Influences is evident on all aspects of Philippine Culture.
The rest of the galleries showcase the emergence of Chinese Community, and how Filipino's of Chinese descent help fought for our Philippines freedom against the Spanish Colonial Rule. My favourite is the Mestizo Household with a Sari-Sari store at the ground level.
What remains of the mezzanine level is the Martyr's Hall, National Leaders of Chinese Descent, Ye Fei (Batang Tiaong) and the Porcelain Gallery.
The 2nd level is where you will find the Auditorium and the offices of Kaisa Heritage Foundation.
3rd Floor Exhibits
The exhibit continues to the 3rd Floor with the Iam Filipino Gallery. A hologram traces the evolution of the early barefooted, illiterate, impoverished, peasant immigrant to become the modern day Tsinoy or Tsinong Pinoy. You can choose from Tagalog, English, Mandarin and Fookien language.
As you navigate through the hallways, you will pass a vignette dedicated to our National Hero Jose Rizal, tracing its Chinese ancestry. The first President Emilio Aguinaldo and the First Filipino Saint Lorenzo Ruiz is highlighted.
The succeeding galleries showcase the Chinese Communities contribution to nation Building by helping the government with schools, fire fighting, philanthropic work and shaping the economy. Most of the big businesses are owned by Chinese-Filipino families.
Also included are the contributions of Angelo King and the different projects of Kaisa Heritage Foundation. Not to be missed are the 19th century prints and photographs as well as manuscripts.
The trip to Bahay Tsinoy, was an unexpected learning experience especially of the history contributions of the Chinese - Filipino community.
Source:
http://www.bahaytsinoy.org
No comments:
Post a Comment