BenCab Museum: A Pleasant Surprise in Your Baguio City Getaway

Taking a trip to Baguio holiday villas will let you know that no matter how familiar places appear sometimes, there's always the possibility of being pleasantly surprised by them. This is especially true when you visit the renowned BenCab Museum, a notable attraction in the Summer Capital of the Philippines that beckons travelers to take a glimpse of the country's rich culture and arts.

Master of Contemporary Philippine Art
The museum is owned and operated by Benedicto Reyes Cabrera (or BenCab), a National Artist for Visual Arts. Through the years, his masterpieces have been exhibited in Asia, Europe, and the United States. Famed as one of the best-selling painters of his generation, BenCab has already won several prestigious awards. Today, his museum stands as an affirmation of his stature as a master of contemporary Philippine art. This tourist spot sits within a 15-minute drive from Baguio City center. Near the market and several hotels in Baguio, there's a public transportation terminal where you can take a jeepney to the museum.

Impressive Exhibitions
Perched on a ridge along Asin Road, BenCab museum commands a spectacular vista of the surrounding mountains and South China Sea in the distant west. This repository houses the permanent collection of BenCab, as well as those of distinguished Filipino masters and rising contemporary artists. Some of the highlights of the museum are the following:

Cordillera Gallery - features indigenous crafts and tribal artifacts of the northern Philippine highlands
Erotica Gallery - displays an array of paintings and sculptures with an erotic theme or subject
Print Gallery - contains old photographs, vintage maps, and postcards

A Patch of Nature
Apart from showcasing illustrious arts, the museum also has an adjacent farm and garden. This interesting feature presents the typical indigenous architecture of the Cordillera provinces. Here' you'll see a garden of vegetables, herbs, and strawberries, and a meandering river with a cascading waterfall. There is also an animal farm with various local livestock and an aviary that shelters peacocks and other beautiful species of birds.

Visitors' Information
For a hassle-free visit, take note of the following details about the museum's rules and regulations:

Operating days: Tuesdays to Sundays (9 am to 6 pm)
Entrance fee: General admission - PHP100; Students and senior citizens with valid ID - PHP80
Guided tours may be arranged at the reception.
Outside food and beverages are not allowed.
Smoking is strictly prohibited.
Sketching is permitted in the galleries.

So, to complete your vacation in the Summer Capital of the country, step out of your Baguio holiday villas and visit the BenCab Museum.