‘Museums are for everyone, not just the wealthy,’ says museum official
By Niña Jonalyn Gambe-Diamante
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — In celebration of the National Museums and Galleries Month (MGM) this October, the National Museum of the Philippines – Butuan (NMP-Butuan) took center stage at the recent Kapihan sa PIA held at SM City Butuan.
Held on Oct. 1, it shed light on the museum’s vital role in preserving Caraga’s cultural heritage and promoting inclusive access to historical education.
Two officials from the NMP-Butuan led the discussion, emphasizing the museum’s commitment to making cultural knowledge accessible to all sectors of society. The forum served as a platform to dispel long-standing myths about museums being exclusive spaces for scholars and the elite.
“We are doing our own efforts to debunk this misconception that museums are only for the wealthy. Which is why others tend to just pass by the museum feeling intimidated by it. There are even some who think that there is an admission fee that they have to pay, when in fact, museum visits and even our educational tours are all free of charge,” said Eunice M. Plaza, head of the NMP-Butuan.
She also emphasized that the national museum is open the entire week, Monday to Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., as part of their effort to make the museums universally accessible to everyone who wishes to see and experience the heritage and national cultural treasures sheltered inside the museum.
For groups of 15 persons or more, the museum officials encourage pre-booking in order to ensure the smooth and organized flow of museum tours, thereby creating a memorable and unforgettable experience for the spectators.
“Butuan is very privileged to have a national museum right at the heart of the city. Because not all regions in the country have a national museum,” she proudly shared. Mindanao at present only has four national museums — in Davao, Zamboanga, Sulu, and the one in Butuan City which was established in 1978, marking its 47th year since its erection — among the oldest museums nationwide.
“What is the implication of being one of the oldest museums in the country? In the past, the basis for the establishment of a national museum in a certain area is its anthropological and archaeological significance. For Butuan, the excavation of the ‘balangays’ or the ancient Butuan boats reinforced the city’s eligibility,” Plaza explained.
The thousand-year-old balangays are the oldest direct material evidence of watercraft in the country which can be found in both the regional and site museums. Out of the 11 ancient boats reported to be in Butuan, the Butuan boat No. 1 is currently safeguarded and displayed at the site museum right at the very area where it was excavated. While in the regional museum, remnants of the Butuan boat No. 5 may be viewed by the public. These artifacts have been recognized as national cultural treasures (NCTs) of the Philippines.
Butuan museum as an educational institution
Beyond its role as a repository of history, the museum actively engages with the community through outreach programs, workshops, and school partnerships. Educational tours are designed to complement classroom learning, offering students a tangible connection to the subjects they study.
While some museum guests visit for leisure, the management notes a significantly larger number of culture enthusiasts, researchers, and students — placing a greater responsibility on the institution to ensure the accuracy of its information campaigns and the quality of its educational tours.
“Our museum guides are experts in their field. As such, they follow a well-researched and well-founded museum tour script, especially since the national museum is also considered as an educational institution. It is our responsibility to properly educate the public by giving them accurate information based on available evidence,” emphasized Plaza.
As the National Museum of the Philippines–Butuan continues to preserve and showcase the region’s rich archaeological and cultural heritage, it stands not only as an archive of history but as a vital link connecting generations.
Through its exhibits and educational programs, the museum fosters a deeper understanding of the past while inspiring future Filipinos to value and protect their cultural identity. In doing so, it ensures that the legacy of Butuan lives on — resonating across time, from ancient shores to tomorrow’s minds. (NJGD/PIA Caraga)