Something exciting is about to happen in Baler, Aurora—and it’s not just for tourists! The National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) is opening a brand-new regional museum, the first of its kind in the Cagayan Valley. And guess what? It’s not just any museum… it’s a space that tells the stories of people, nature, and history—all in one place!
🏛️ A Museum That Honors Friendship and Heritage
During a special event celebrating Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day, the NMP gave guests a sneak peek of the Baler museum. It was designed by famous architect Ed Calma, and it looks modern and amazing—like a work of art itself!
Some important people came to the preview:
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🇪🇸 Spanish Ambassador to the Philippines Miguel Utray Delgado
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🏛️ Baler Mayor Rhett Ronan Angara
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🏺 National Historical Commission Chair Regalado Trota Jose Jr.
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🎤 NMP Director-General Jeremy Barns
Mr. Barns shared a heartfelt message:
“This museum is a tribute to Aurora’s rich culture and nature, and also to the strong friendship between the Philippines and Spain.”
He said the museum is meant to be a place for sharing stories, preserving traditions, and meeting new cultures.
🌄 What Will You See Inside the Baler Museum?
Once it opens, the museum will be a landmark of Filipino design, showing off how modern architecture can still match the natural beauty of Baler, from the Sierra Madre mountains to the Pacific Ocean.
Inside, you’ll find ethnographic and natural history exhibits, which means:
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🧑🏽🌾 Stories of real people and their traditions
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🦅 Animals, plants, and nature from the region
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🏕️ Displays about the Dumagat, Agta, Ilongot-Bugkalot, Tagalog, and Ilokano communities—groups that have lived in eastern Luzon for generations!
And guess what? The museum is also asking people in the community to share ideas on how it can serve Aurora better.
🌍 Baler Joins the National Museum Family
This will be the 9th regional museum of the NMP! Here are the others:
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🏝️ Butuan
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🏔️ Kiangan (Cordillera)
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🛡️ Zamboanga
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🏛️ Vigan (Ilocos)
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🌴 Bohol
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🍲 Iloilo
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🏙️ Cebu
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🏞️ Davao (most recently added!)
Plus, NMP also has area museums in places like Batanes, Bicol, Dumaguete, and Sulu, and site museums for special historical places like:
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🏞️ Tabon Caves (Palawan)
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🪨 Angono-Binangonan Petroglyphs (Rizal)
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🪦 Kabayan Burial Caves (Benguet)
So if you live in or plan to visit Baler soon, get ready—because a brand-new museum is opening soon that honors the past, celebrates culture, and brings the whole community together. 💙
