Our family geeked out on the first week of 2017. We trooped (pun) to two war and military museums in Taguig to celebrate my husband’s birthday.
Our first stop was the Philippine Veterans Museum. The museum’s inauguration in April 1998 was in time for the Philippine Independence Centennial celebration. It has a two-level circular layout that exhibits war memorabilia and artifacts from the veterans. The museum boasts of its life-size dioramas too.
Each tableau set up tells a story of how Filipino leaders like Wenceslao Vinzons, Trinidad Diaz, and others, led the resistance against the Japanese. The faces on the figures depict both determination and anguish in our fellow Filipinos during this time.
The ground floor presents more models, encased guns, helmets and other weapons used by our war veterans. The flags that were recovered after the war were also framed and displayed at the museum. The museum is open from 7 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday. Kindly call their office at 838-9148 for details. Check out some information here and plan your visit.
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After husband’s birthday lunch at BGC, we headed to the Philippine Army Museum in Fort Bonifacio. For a minimal fee of 20 pesos, you’ll get cool air-conditioning and a well-maintained military museum. Good job to the staff!
The PA museum shows us how the military has evolved from the time of the Spaniards to the present. Charcoal paintings hung on walls that highlight the role of the Philippine Army in many historical events in our country. One illustration that struck me was that of the soldiers, standing on war tanks during the EDSA revolution. I wonder what those soldiers felt at that time.
Camouflage netting covered the briefing room on the second floor, which was actually cool. Then, a life-sized “kawal” or soldier wearing his Spanish-era uniform will welcome you to the next time period. Next, you will be entering walk-throughs in the forest, barracks, and bunkers showing our brave soldiers in action.
There are other interesting things to see in the museum. There were walls covered with enlarged newspaper clippings reporting successful military operations. Ever wondered what those badges pinned on the soldiers’ uniform mean? They have an entire wall describing what each badge, symbol or insignia mean. They also have a small souvenir shop where you can buy small knickknacks to take home. Our daughter bought a whistle while my husband got an “ARMY” shirt.
When the soldiers are deployed in the battlefield, they need a ride, right? The outdoor area of the museum is where they park those big tanks 🙂 Other military pieces of equipment are also displayed in the well-manicured garden. Beyond the garden are the track oval and the grandstand.
If you’re a history geek, a military fan, or you simply want to know more about our soldiers, do visit the Philippine Army Museum. You will have a better appreciation of these hardworking and brave men in uniform. We salute you, sirs!
