Pinto Museum - 3 years after

My first and last visit to Pinto Museum was about 3 years ago.  I was happy to be back last June- in deference to my nephew's request.

It felt both weird and amazing talking about art pieces to a  9 year old boy, who no matter how old he gets, I will always consider as my baby boy. But I am always happy to be part of his learning process. Yes, the boy asked a lot of sensible questions- and shared about what some of the art pieces meant for him. He did enjoy the interactive pieces the most- and yes still enjoyed mounting himself on those "horses" :) .  

So..what's new with the museum?  The art galleries were well maintained but three years saw a lot of improvements in the museum.  For one, where before they almost did not have visitors, they now host around 400 visitors a day according to our guide.  Yes, they now have museum guides to show guests around and to explain some of the significant art pieces in the museum, about the artists and the medium used. And, the entrance fee hiked up to Php 200, from Php100.  The same caterer still manage the cafe  however, they are now in several locations in the museum, and are a lot busier than 3 years back.  

There is also a new cluster of buildings - one which is of Green architecture. My nephew loved this particular area too because of his fascination with Greek mythology.  We did spent a bit talking about the Greek mythology statues - which I felt I needed to review again.

I hope that next time, I will be able to take this boy to other nice museums outside the country!
   

Ancient Art: The Angono-Binangonan Petrogplyphs

Ok...this can be confusing.  The Angono petroglyphs is not actually situated in Angono (one of the towns in Rizal province)- rather, it in is Binangonan (another town in Rizal province).

Say what...?

The explanation from the very helpful National Museum staff assigned in the location, was that that this was discovered in 1965 by Botong Francisco, a National Artist of the Philippines, who hails from Angono.  Aside from the fact, that it is by the border of Binangonan and Angono. It was therefore better known as the Angono Petroglyps, despite it being technically a part of Binangonan.  There are some attempts to show this "shared ownership" , as seen in this signage.

An attempt to be "inclusive"

The Angono Petroglyps is considered a cultural heritage site with the etchings on the rock wall dating back to 3000 B.C. or during the stone age, as per our guide.  Engraved in the rocks are various animal and human figures.  The National Museum website reports about 127 drawings of such. Our guide says that these drawings could very well be related to some spiritual rituals, as some drawings appear to be in prayer. However, this, and the actual date of the drawings, needs more study and we do not have the money nor the technology for this. 

Some of the drawings

No..the drawings are not in a cave , contrary to the popular notion (I was also expecting a cave).  It is in a rock shelter. But yes, there is a tunnel leading to this open area where the rock shelter is.

The Petroglyphs is in a 63 meter wide rock shelter.

The rock shelter with the petroglyphs

  

The Angono-Binangonan Petroglyps "has been included in the World Inventory of Rock Art" and "was nominated as one of the 100 Most Endangered Sites of the World under the world Monument Watch List."  Sadly, it is in danger of disappearing due to natural causes (wind, rain, plant roots, and erosion) and due to vandalism.  

Our guide shared that the government has allotted a 5 million peso budget for the site.  From what he shared however, it will mostly be used, to develop the surroundings of the petroglyph (e.g. construction of picnic benches and tables) but nothing for the preservation (I hope I heard him wrong). I do hope these would be preserved- this gives us a glimpse of the Filipino culture dating back from the stone age.

It sure is a place which is worth exploring, while it is still here.

How to get there, from Antipolo:

Driving from Shopwise, Antipolo: Turn right at MLQ extension.  You will pass by SM Hypermart, and just go straight ahead until you reach the gate leading to Thunderbird resort.  Inform the guard you are visiting the petroglyphs and they will show you the direction.

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=200030074610864277559.0004c070cd14033680b3b&msa=0&dg=feature

Public transportation:  From the Antipolo church, take a tricycle to the gate of the property leading to the Thunderbird Casino Resort and tell the guard you are visiting the Petroglyphs and you may hike to the location.

Casa Santa at Jardin de Miramar

It always feels like Christmas whenever I spend time with my nephew- more so when it is spent in a place where it is Christmas everyday. 

Casa Santa is, at most, 15 minutes away from my house yet it took me ten years before I paid my first visit. It was an old family house in Jardin de Miramar, an event place in Antipolo.

Casa Santa houses a collection of more than 3,000 Santa Clause-s. You will see Santa of all sizes, and of all forms. There is elf Santa, girl Santa, stick Santa, glass Santa, ceramic Santa, skiing Santa, reading Santa, Santa descending from the roof, and many more.  

My favourite was the cool Santa in the toilet. My nephew's was the Christmas village in one of the rooms. The miniature Christmas Village looked like a real one,  the details well taken cared of that it did look like a small town on a snowy night.

There is an entrance fee for the Casa Santa , as well as a minimum number of persons. The website says a minimum of 10 is required but the girl let us in even if there were only a 4 of us.  

Casa Santa is located at :
Jardin de Miramar
276 San Jose Extension
San Isidro, Antipolo City
Telephone: 5843199
Mobile: 0917-8912208
Email: info@jardindemiramar.com