The Art of Baguio

I know Baguio for a lot of things, but I've never seen it's artistic side before. So, for my first travel for 2016, I was glad that I got to visit what is probably the country's coolest art museum ever.

Home of a National Artist

Located outside the busy streets of Baguio City at the town of Tuba, Benguet, the BenCab Museum is just a jeepney ride away from the summer capital's down town district. It houses a vast number of artworks, most of which from the renowned National Artist Benedicto Cabrera, better known as BenCab. Apparently, the museum is also the home of the National Artist, as well as his workshop.

Aside from BenCab's works, the museum also displays artworks from various contemporary artists from Manila and throughout the country. With an entrance fee of only 100 pesos, BenCab is the perfect place to discover modern masterpieces.

Northern Pride

Among the first artworks you can see upon entering the museum are wood crafts depicting the traditional Ifugao deities, locally called "Bulol". These are rice gods and goddesses said to bring an abundant harvest. These statues are mostly naked, and is often associated with sex symbols, like the mortar and pestle for the male and female genitalia respectively

Not Safe For Work

On the topic of nudity, the museum also houses a number of provocative artworks worthy of a raised eyebrow. Behind a fitting cautionary warning is the Erotica Gallery, and for some obvious reasons, probably the most popular part of the whole museum. Seriously, don't even think about bringing your kids in here, or you'll going to explain a lot of things you might not be prepared to talk about yet.

The Muse

Every artist has their muse, and for BenCab, that role is filled by Sabel. Sabel was a female scavenger the artist saw when he was young. She used to walk around their house in Bambang, Tondo, wrapped in plastic, and her image recurred in most of his work.^†

The museum also has a restaurant just beside the pond that bears the name of BenCab's muse. Aptly called Cafe Sabel, they serve fresh farm vegetables and fruits, home-brewed coffee, pasta and a number of Filipino cuisine.

A Must See

Next time you and your friends are in Baguio, dare to bring out the inner artist in you and visit this wonderful place. You will surely enjoy it. For the meantime, you can visit the museum's website at www.bencabmuseum.org

† Business World: BenCab’s Sabel now a musical^↩

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