back in december 2008, i plotted to have the ayala museum as one of my destinations in my itinerary. unfortunately, on the only day that the museum was open [december 27, 2008], i failed to visit the place as then we were busy scouring the different bus terminals of manila to secure tickets for banaue, which wasn’t a success as there were too many of us for a limited number of seats. so instead of banaue, we just decided to go to sagada instead. when we returned to manila from sagada, i couldn’t quell the urge to visit the ayala museum. so when jacky’s mom guided us around manila and brought us to glorietta, i convinced juliet and jacky to at least swing by the closed museum. pity.

a bit disappointed, but was still elated when i saw the place

with jacky last dec. 31, 2008

i was hoping to get a glimpse of the amorsolo paintings, but like i said the museum was closed for the holidays. so contented myself with just the tarp – with jacky and juliet

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fast forward to march 2009.

there was a cebu pacific promo at that time that i booked myself a ticket for manila. i reasoned that i needed to visit the ayala museum before the year ends. well, the foiled ayala museum visit last year had turned into an itch that i needed to scratch. so scratched i did. now, when i got my tickets i thought of making this a solo trip as i didn’t think i could interest anyone to travel for the sole purpose of visiting a museum. anyhow, a month after i got my tickets – i didn’t feel like stepping on manila soil on my own. so, i decided to tag along john.

july 11, 2009 – trip day

ticket @ PhP 225 – access from g/f to 4th floor

me ecstatic at finally setting foot inside the museum. we used my cellphone in taking the pix as we believed cameras are forbidden inside the museum

john. we just sat here for a few minutes as i couldn’t contain my excitement. i’m not much a fan of the arts, but since it took me quite a while to visit the ayala museum, i couldn’t help but be thrilled and took time to really admire the place.

interestingly, i failed to take my vetlongmarks here. but si john natakdan, hehe… so, his mark will have to do.

pabaga ug pa.picture, bisan kawat.kawat..excited lagi..

after checking each of the tabuena paintings, we proceeded to the second floor. i must say, this made my day. i love the dioramas!!! i especially love the three big galleons on display. unfortunately, we failed to take pictures of the galleons as there were guards keeping watch of visitors taking pictures.

like i said, i love the dioramas. they were nicely done. basta AMEN to whoever made them.

love this, love this, love this!!!

me, me, me – gi.firing squad si rizal diri nga diorama..

well, we didn’t take any more risk of taking pictures else what we have may be deleted by the guard. basta it’s worth every penny especially if you also happen to be a philippine history buff.

the 3rd floor left much to be desired. hehe. though there were a few sketches that i wanted to grab to put on my walls at home. this floor houses the paintings and sketches of fernando zobel and some artists.

meanwhile, the 4th floor houses a collection of Chinese porcelain antiques and gold jewelry found in the country. though, i’m not much a fan of vases and gold – i still enjoyed touring the place. they have here a to-die-for media room to show a clip discussing our ancestors’ fascination for gold.

well, that’s the ayala museum folks!!

The museum can be found at Makati Avenue corner De La Rosa Street. Click this for the map of the place.

It opens from 9:00 AM to 6 PM on Tuesdays to Fridays and 10 AM to 7 PM on weekends. The museum is closed on Mondays.