Gallery XXIV (Philam Life Hall)

Gallery XXIV, a permanent exhibit at the third floor of the National Museum of Fine Arts,  features the works of National Artist for Visual Arts (1982) and cubist painter Vicente R. Manansala (1910-1981) and renowned sculptor Jose P. Alcantara (1911-2005) installed at the Philippine-American General Life Insurance Company (Philam Life) Building (designed by National Artist for Architecture Carlos Arguelles) along United Nations Avenue, Ermita, Manila.

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Gallery entrance

The PhilAm Life Manansala Series consists of seven large format paintings (each measuring 1.2 x 2.4 m.) commissioned in 1961 and initially installed in the cafeteria but were, eventually, transferred to its main lobby.

PhilAm Life Manansala Series

Narra Wood Reliefs (Jose Alcantara, 1961)

The building was acquired by commercial developer SMDC in 2012 and the Philam Foundation placed the Manansala murals in the care of the National Museum in 2013, providing a PPhP5 million grant to fund, among other things, a Philam gallery to showcase the murals.  The exhibit was opened on April 3, 2014.

Ang Pamilya sa Oras ng Pagkain (A Family at Mealtime)

Mga Isda (Fishes)

They feature rural themes and local industries during the time of its creation – Mga Manok (Chickens), Mga Magsasaka (Farmers), Ang Pamilya sa Oras ng Pagkain (A Family at Mealtime), Mga Manunugtog (Musicians), Handaan (Feast), Mga Isda (Fishes) and Mga Kalabaw (Carabaos).  These were rendered in the artist’s signature style of “transparent cubism.”

Handaan (Feast)

Mga Kalabaw (Carabaos)

The Jose Alcantara series, made with the help of several hired and trained woodcarvers from Paete (Laguna), features four of the smaller decorative, carved narra wood reliefs of rural life and folklore, which were originally installed at the outside walls of the 780-seat Philam Life Auditorium in 1961.

Mga Magsasaka (Farmers)

Mga Manok (Chickens)

Mga Manunugtog (Musicians)

The series consists of Malakas at Maganda (The First Man and Woman), Mga Kalabaw (Carabaos), Mga Panugtog (Musical Instruments) and Mariang Makiling (The Guardian Spirit of Mount Makiling).  On July 2019, the gallery was closed to give way for the installation of these four reliefs.

Malakas at Maganda (The First Man and Woman)

Mariang Makiling (The Guardian Spirit of Mount Makiling)

Both the PhilAm Life Manansala and Jose Alcantara Series were declared as an “Important Cultural Property” by the National Museum of the Philippines on June 27, 2019.

Mga Panugtog (Musical Instruments)

Mga Kalabaw (Carabaos)

Gallery XXIV: Philam Life Hall, 3/F, National Museum of Fine Arts (NMFA), Padre Burgos Avenue, Ermita, Manila 1000, Metro Manila. Tel: (632) 8527-1215 and (632) 8298-1100.  Email: inquiry@nationalmuseum.gov.ph.  Website: nationalmuseum.gov.ph.  Open Tuesdays to Sundays, 9 AM – 4PM. Admission is free.  Coordinates: 14°35′13″N 120°58′52″E.

Visitors shall be limited to 100 per museum per session. Visitors are required to pre-book online at https://reservation.nationalmuseum.gov at least a day before the visit. Confirmation of booking will be sent through email. Group reservations are limited to five (5) persons only.  Walk-in visitors will NOT be accommodated.