Museo El Deposito. On the right is the above ground entrance to the El Deposito Underground Reservoir

Museo El Deposito (translated as El Deposito Museum), a history museum situated within the grounds of the Pinaglabanan Shrine, was opened on February 20, 2019.  Housed inside a two-storey building on top of the El Deposito underground reservoir  and beside the Museo ng Katipunan, another museum, it features the Carriedo water system (which included the El Deposito underwater reservoir). 

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Ground floor lobby and reception area

The Museo El Deposito,under the management of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, aims to inspire everyone to value water as a natural resource and appreciate the people who make access to it easier for everday Filipinos.  It narrates the history of the underground reservoir and the Carriedo Waterworks as a whole.

The ground floor houses the Reception, Resource Center and Audio Visual Room.  The second floor has three galleries presenting bits of the country’s civil engineering history via various military and civilian artifacts recovered from the El Deposito reservoir, scaled models, electronic mini displays, a virtual reality room and interactive touch screen modules.

Gallery 1: Life Before the Waterworks (Buhay Bago ang Tubigan)

Gallery 1: Life Before the Waterworks (Buhay Bago ang Tubigan) narrates the period prior to the establishment of the Carriedo Waterworks system in 1882 when the city’s inhabitants relied on wells, esteros, and rivers for their water supply. Outbreaks of waterborne diseases were not uncommon at the time.

Water from the Aguador. On the foreground is a water filter carved out of porous rock, owned by Jose Rizal’s family

There are seven panels. Panel 1 (Aguadores) explains how typical Filipino aguadores fetched water from various water sources near Manila.

Waterworks System by Fr. Juan Peguero (1690)

Panel 2 (Peguero) narrates how Dominican Fr. Juan Peguero designed a waterworks system in 1690 that stretched 750 m. from the springs of San Juan del Monte.

Gov.-Gen. Antonio Ma. Blanco’s Barrel Filter (1850)

Panel 3 (Water Filtration Systems) displays various replicas of 19th-century water-filtration systems such as a water filter, owned by Jose Rizal’s family, carved out of porous rock. Near it is a cross section of a wooden barrel with layers of filtering material.

Gov.-Gen. Pascual Enrile’s Barrel Filter (1833)

Panels 4 and 5 (Cortes and dela Corte) narrates studies by Tomas Cortes (commandant of engineers) on the water quality of different sources of water in 1844 and of Lt.-Col. Felipe de la Corte (a military engineer) who continued Cortes’ work in 1859.

Analysis by Tomas Cortes (1844)

At Panel 6 (Francisco Carriedo), visitors will get to know Francisco Carriedo, a Spanish Capitán General of Manila who spearheaded the development of Manila’s waterworks by donating a portion of his fortune from the galleon trade.

Carriedo’s Donation (1733)

On display are facsimiles of Carriedo’s documents. Panel 7 (Carriedo Fountain) has a replica of the Carriedo Fountain.

Carriedo’s Fountain. On the left is a miniature replica of the fountain

On the museum floor is an actual original specimen of an 1888 Carriedo waterworks fire hydrant, a full-sized 3D-printed replica and a replica of 1833 and 1850 barrel filters.

Original Carriedo Waterworks hydrant

3D model of Carriedo Waterworks hydrant

Also on display is an original 1882 Carriedo commemorative coin; a 1911 Carriedo postage stamp, original old silver coins of King Charles IV of Spain; and a copy of Carriedo’s book Carriedo y Sus Obras.

1882 commemorative coin and 1911 Francisco Carriedo commemorative stamp

Silver coins of King Charles IV of Spain

Gallery 2: The Carriedo Waterworks (Ang Patubigang Carriedo) features artifacts, photographs and plans of the Carriedo Water System, prints and scale models.

Gallery 2: The Carriedo Waterworks (Ang Patubigang Carriedo)

There are 5 panels – Panel 1 (General Plan of Waterworks), Panel 2 (Approved Plan of Waterworks), Panel 3 (Genaro Palacios), Panel 4A & 4B (Casa de Servicios and Water Reservoir) and Panel 5 (Construction Materials).

Genaro Palacios, the Engineers and the Workers

Examples of Construction Materials

At the center of the room is the miniature scaled model of Pinaglabanan Memorial Shrine.

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Scaled Model of Pinaglabanan Memorial Shrine

Gallery 3: National Shrine (Pambansang Dambana), where things get interactive, has a Virtual Reality (VR) Exhibit Room where museum visitors use virtual reality headsets and watch a 360-degree historical recreation of key events during the Battle of San Juan del Monte, the first battle of the Philippine Revolution, made by I Am Cardboard PH, a local VR company.

Gallery 3 – National Shrine

The scenes feature historical figures such as Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Jacinto.  Along the wall is the historical visual timeline of events in the history of El Deposito.

Virtual Reality Room

Historical Visual Timeline

Opposite the timeline are various World War II-era artifacts such as helmets (including a Guinit sun helmet used by the Philippine Army during the Philippine Commonwealth Period), ammunition shells and other war paraphernalia which were excavated from the El Deposito area.

Objects Excavated in El Deposito

On the top shelf, left, is a Commonwealth era Guinit sun helmet

Outside the museum building is the above ground entrance to an aqueduct of the El Deposito itself as well as statues of Genaro Palacios showing plans of the Carriedo Waterworks to Spanish Gov.-Gen. Domingo de Moriones and of four Katipuneros waiting for the Battle of San Juan del Monte.

Statues of Four Katipuneros waiting for the Battle of San Juan del Monte

Genaro Palacios showing plans of Carriedo Waterworks to Spanish Gov.-Gen. Domingo de Moriones

Museo El Deposito: 29 1500 Pinaglabanan Shrine, Pinaglabanan St.,Corazon de Jesus, San Juan, Metro Manila. Tel: (02) 7753 5439.  E-mail: museoeldeposito@gmail.com. Open Tuesdays to Sundays, 9 AM – 4 PM. Admission is free. 

How to Get There: Jeepneys, at Camp Crame, have routes that pass by the Pinaglabanan Shrine.  RRCG buses that ply the Ortigas Avenue-Sta. Mesa route also pass by the Pinaglabanan Shrine.  By car, take the Bonny Serrano Avenue westbound, beside Camp Crame, until you reach Pinaglabanan Shrine.  From Ortigas Avenue westbound, turn left at Bonny Serrano Avenue and go straight until you reach Pinanglabanan Shrine on the right.

Museo ng Katipunan

The two-storey Museo ng Katipunan (translated as ”Museum of the Katipunan”), a history museum dedicated to Andres Bonifacio and the Katipunan, is situated within the grounds of the Pinaglabanan Shrine.

Opened as the Museo ng Rebolusyon (translated as Museum of the Revolution) on August 30, 1996 (during the centennial of the Battle of Pinaglabanan), the museum, prior to 2006, mainly featured the Battle of Pinaglabanan and had pictures, cutouts, and busts of Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto, and Apolinario Mabini as exhibits.

Statue of Andres Bonifacio

In 2006, the museum underwent a Php5 million renovation and was expanded to cover the Katipunan organization as a whole.  On November 30, 2006, Bonifacio Day, it  was re-inaugurated as the Museo ng Katipunan. It was reconstructed as a modernized museum and was reopened on August 27, 2013.

Ground floor exhibits

Lined with innovative and conventional exhibits, the Museo ng Katipunan tells the story of the Katipunan, the clandestine organization of the Filipino revolutionaries. It features artifacts which relate to the Philippine Revolution and the Katipunan.

Life of Andres Bonifacio

The museum includes archival documents such as cedulas, oaths, membership forms, cryptic messages, as well as medals,  and bladed weapons used by the Katipunan.

Weapons used by the Katipunan

One of the main attractions of the museum is its collection of anting-anting which played a significant role in the motivation of the Katipuneros.

Anting-Antings

These formed copper or bronze medallions were engraved with religious symbols and Latin text.  There’s also a vest shirt with hand-drawn folk Catholic symbols and magical incantations.

Hankerchief with Jesus Christ image

Handpainted cloth vest

Also displayed are various artworks. Monochrome pastel portraits of known Katipuneros where created by renowned Filipino artist Pancho Piano.

Monochrome pastel portraits of known Katipuneros  (Pancho Piano)

The Life of Andres Bonifacio  and Ang Dapat Mabatid ng mga Tagalog, both by Pancho Piano; and Katipunan by Juanito Torres are oil paintings that depict scenes from the Philippine Revolution.

Katipunan (Juanito Torres)

Ang Dapat Mabatid ng mga Tagalog (Pancho Piano)

There are also busts of Pio Valenzuela, Andres Bonifacio (by Julie Lluch), Gregoria de Jesus and Emilio Jacinto, and a 20^th century decorative panel by Isabelo Tampinco.

Busts of Andres Bonifacio, Gregoria de Jesus, Emilio Jacinto and Pio Valenzuela

Decorative panel (Isabelo Tampinco)

The museum also features interactive features such as a holographic image of Andres Bonifacio, an audio recording of the poem Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa and touch screen terminals.

Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa

The entwined lives of Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Jacinto are highlighted by different exhibits like the interactive map tracing their beginnings in Tondo, Manila, the Kartilya, and the Katipunan Decalogue. You can also draw your own version of the Katipunan seal via an interactive projector.  Museum staff can print it for you as a remembrance.

The Kartilya

Ang Dapat Mabatid ng mga Tagalog

In addition, the Museum houses a stereoscopy room featuring late 19^th century photographs, a library, and a 30-pax E-learning room where students from grades 5 -7 can take online interactive lessons, produced by the NHCP, about Bonifacio and the Katipunan, the first in the country.

Flags of the Katipunan

The Museo ng Katipunan provides an educational approach to understand the Katipunan, its primary movers, and their actions. Apart from Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto, and other renowned revolutionaries, the museum also honors, through a Memorial Wall, the valiant efforts of the Katipuneros who fought for the independence of the Philippines.

Emilio Jacinto

Women of the Revolution

The Museo ng Katipunan provides an educational approach to understand the Katipunan, its primary movers, and their actions. Apart from Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto, and other renowned revolutionaries, the museum also honors, through a Memorial Wall, the valiant efforts of the Katipuneros who fought for the independence of the Philippines.

Dioramas showing the chronology of events of the Philippine Revolution

Sanduguan

On both floors are dioramas that show the chronology of the events of the Philippine Revolution using 300 Ninay dolls produced by the Balikatan sa Kaunlaran Foundation.  At the ground floor is “The Cry of the Revolution,” “The Uprising of the Filipino People,” “The March to El Polvorin,” “The Skirmish at El Polvorin,”  “The Attack on El Deposito,” “The Battle of San Juan del Monte,” “The Declaration of the First Martial Rule in the Philippines” and “The First Martyrs of the Katipunan.”  At the second floor is “Unang Sigaw.”

Museo ng Katipunan: 29 Pinaglabanan St., Brgy. Corazon de Jesus, San Juan City, Metro Manila. Curator: Christian Bernard Melendez.  Tel: (632) 7254 -4470.  Mobile  number: (0917) 553-7856. Email Add: pinaglabananmemorialshrine@gmail.com.  Open Tuesdays to Sundays, 8 AM to 4 PM.

How to Get There: Jeepneys, at Camp Crame, have routes that pass by the Pinaglabanan Shrine.  RRCG buses that ply the Ortigas Avenue-Sta. Mesa route also pass by the Pinaglabanan Shrine.  By car, take the Bonny Serrano Avenue westbound, beside Camp Crame, until you reach Pinaglabanan Shrine.  From Ortigas Avenue westbound, turn left at Bonny Serrano Avenue and go straight until you reach Pinanglabanan Shrine on the right.

Gallery VI (Lowland Evergreen Rainforests)

Gallery VI (Lowland Evergreen Rainforests) of the National Museum of Natural History is a facsimile of the most common forest type in Southeast Asia and the Philippines, where rainfall is more or less uniform throughout the year and the dry season is short.

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Rainforest Diorama

It features the Rainforest Diorama, a walk through mini-replica of the dipterocarp forests which is a major component of tropical rainforest, with tree species reaching up to 40 to 70 m. in height as well as the threatened plants and animals as a result of deforestation and forest degradation.

This gallery also showcases the historical researchers in the fields of zoology and botany along with some newly described flora and fauna in the country.

Here, you learn about the different kinds of species inhabiting the land through life-size representations of different plants and animals that you can find in Philippine rainforest accompanied by realistic sounds.

Fungi of the Tropical Lowland Evergreen Rainforest

Malayan Civet (Viverra tangalunga)

Philippine Cuckoo-dove and White-eared Brown Dove

Pandan, Gugo and Rattan Fruits

Gallery VI (Lowland Evergreen Rainforests): 4/F, National Museum of Natural History,  Agrifina Circle in Rizal Park, T.M. Kalaw Street, corner General Luna Street, Manila. Open Tuesdays – Sundays,   9 AM to 12 noon (cut off time is 11 AM) and 1 to 4 PM (cut off time is 3 PM). Tel: 82981100 local 3000 and 85277889.  E-mail:  cmvod@nationalmuseum.ph or inquiry@nationalmuseumph.gov.ph. Coordinates: 14°34′59.9″N 120°58′55.9″E.

Gallery V (Mossy, Montane and Pine Forests)

Gallery V (Mossy, Montane and Pine Forests) of the National Museum of Natural History is about the high-elevation forests of the Philippines and the wildlife that inhabits these particular types of forests.

The distinct characteristics and dynamics in these high-elevation forests provide the perfect shelter that caters to a unique set of plants and animals that only thrive in these types of environments.

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Birds of the Montane and Mossy Forests

It showcases the birds, mammals, amphibians, insects, and plants that are found only in the mossy, montane, and pine forests of the Philippines and also features the field expedition camp diorama featuring field paraphernalia that introduces how biologists study the forest, plants, and animals.

Some Field Paraphernalia for Field Expeditions

The gallery also provides a brief history of the zoology division of the National Museum of the Philippines and how post-World War II expeditions re-established the zoological reference collection of the Philippines.

Species of Fungi in the Mossy and Montane Forests

Gallery V (Mossy, Montane and Pine Forests): Zuellig Family Exhibition Hall, 4/F, National Museum of Natural History,  Agrifina Circle in Rizal Park, T.M. Kalaw Street, corner General Luna Street, Manila. Open Tuesdays – Sundays,   9 AM to 12 noon (cut off time is 11 AM) and 1 to 4 PM (cut off time is 3 PM). Tel: 82981100 local 3000 and 85277889.  E-mail:  cmvod@nationalmuseum.ph or inquiry@nationalmuseumph.gov.ph. 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.  Coordinates: 14°34′59.9″N 120°58′55.9″E.

Gallery IV (Life Through Time)

Gallery IV (Life Through Time) of the National Museum of Natural History takes visitors back in time through the different fossils (naturally preserved remains and traces of an organism) discovered from around the country.

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Some of the organisms here are already extinct and are known only through their fossils while some fossils here of organisms which are still present here and other parts of the world.

Fossils from the Neogene Period

Fossils from the Miocene Epoch

Fossils from the Cretaceous Period

Upon entering the gallery, you are greeted with a replica of a megalodon’s jaw, the largest predatory shark to ever exist (23 million years ago) on earth.

Author posing with replica of Megalodon jaw

Fossilized shark teeth

Real megalodon (Otodus megalodon, previously known as Carcharocles megalodon) teeth found in Cagayan, Pangasinan and in 2018 and May 24, 2020 in Maribojoc (Bohol) are exhibited next to this.

Cretaceous Ammonite

Fossil corals

Further along you will see fossils, usually found in the oceans, of the ammonite (an extinct mollusk which lived at the same time as most dinosaurs), corals, the black marlin, and various seashells, including the Tridacna (more commonly called as giant clam).

Fossils from the Jurassic Period

Fossil Crab, Echinoderm and Brachiopod

Towards the end of the gallery, at a time when more of the islands are emerging and sea level is lower, terrestrial organisms are now present.

Apitong leaves in tuff

Chambered nautilus

Stegodon jaw with molar

They are represented here by the fossilized leaves and fossils of large prehistoric mammals like the stegodon, elephant, and rhinoceros.

Skeletons of a horse (left) and a cow (right)

Giant Tortoise, Rhinoceros and Elephant

Globe shows distribution of ammonites around the world

Also featured is a huge collection of petrified wood, in different sizes, from our own species of trees as well as from around the world.

Elephas sp.

Petrified Wood

Diatom models

Gallery IV (Life Through Time): 5/F, National Museum of Natural History, Agrifina Circle, Rizal Park, T.M. Kalaw cor. Gen. Luna Sts., Manila. Open Tuesdays – Sundays,   9 AM to 12 noon (cut off time is 11 AM) and 1 to 4 PM (cut off time is 3 PM). Tel: 82981100 local 3000 and 85277889.  E-mail:  cmvod@nationalmuseum.ph or inquiry@nationalmuseumph.gov.ph. 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.  Coordinates: 14°34′59.9″N 120°58′55.9″E.

Gallery III (Minerals and Energy Resources)

Gallery III (Minerals and Energy Resources) of the National Museum of Natural History, divided into two sections, features the different types of natural resources that we utilize in the Philippines.

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It builds awareness on the origin of these resources, how they are obtained and how they contribute to our everyday well-being.

Copper

One side of the gallery features the mineral resources mined locally to manufacture products we have come to need for practical, everyday use.

Nickel, Iron and Chromium

They are extracted from the earth through different methods like placer mining, surface mining, and underground mining, depending on the type, location and value of the surveyed minerals.

From Open Pit to Eco Park

Samples exhibited here are metallic minerals like gold, chromite, nickel, iron, copper and manganese.

Metallic Minerals

We also have here the non-metallic minerals such as quartz, sulfur, calcite, anhydrite, and many others.

Nonmetallic Minerals

On the other side of the gallery are the energy resources that we use in the country.

Stages of Coal Formation

On display here are samples of natural coals showing its first stage (peat) to its last stage (anthracite) of development.

Discovering Oil in the Philippines

We also have crude oil samples and drilling implements donated by the geologist who discovered the first oil wells in the Philippines.

Tools used by geologists in the field

These samples were the earliest crude oils that flowed out of the West Philippine Sea, collected for posterity.

Solar Power

We also have here eco-friendly ways of generating energy such as converting air into electricity through windmills, sunlight through solar panels, water into hydro-power and converting heat from the sub-surface of the earth into geothermal energy.

Windmill

It features life-size replicas depicting different mining procedures, Philippine geology and life through time.

Diorama of a geothermal plant

On display is an intricately detailed diorama of a geothermal power plant and a diorama featuring how underground mining looks like.

Diorama of underground mining

Gallery III (Minerals and Energy Resources): 5/F, National Museum of Natural History Agrifina Circle, Rizal Park, T.M. Kalaw cor. Gen. Luna Sts.,  Manila. Open Tuesdays – Sundays,   9 AM to 12 noon (cut off time is 11 AM) and 1 to 4 PM (cut off time is 3 PM). Tel: 82981100 local 3000 and 85277889.  E-mail:  cmvod@nationalmuseum.ph or inquiry@nationalmuseumph.gov.ph. 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.  Coordinates: 14°34′59.9″N 120°58′55.9″E.

Gallery II (The Geology of the Philippines)

Gallery II (The Geology of the Philippines) of the National Museum of Natural History features igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks that make up the islands of the Philippines.

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Rudist Bearing Limestone

Here, you can find hardened lavas (such as an andesite boulder from the 1814 eruption of Mt. Mayon) as well as rocks created deep within our Earth’s mantle, some of them more than 250 million years old.

A large relief map of the Philippines, at the center of the gallery, allows you to see the geography of the country in three dimensions.

Tuffaceous Sandstone

Featured are the layers of rocks underlying the Cagayan Valley Basin, Visayan Sea Basin and the Cotabato Basin, all sliced and pulled-up for everyone to see where the rocks layers fold and break.

Sedimentary Basins Within the Philippine Mobile Belt

Adjacent to this is a section devoted to destructive natural events like volcanic eruptions, lahars, and earthquakes that negatively affect Filipinos and the environment.

Graphite Schist

Through this window to the past (quadroscope), museum viewers will also learn the difference between a tsunami and a storm surge, or journey back to the 1991 Pinatubo eruption (the 2nd largest eruption in the 20th century).

Volcanic Mudflow (Lahar Model)

This gallery also features an activity corner where kids can put themselves in a geologist’s shoes by getting hands-on tips in identifying common rocks.

Volcanic Rock from Mayon Volcano

To start their very own rock collection, pointers in proper cleaning, maintenance, and storing of rocks and the needed tools are also present to them.

Clastic Sedimentary Rocks in the Philippines

Extrusive Igneous Rocks in the Philippines

The gallery also has a mini-theater where you can appreciate some of the many beautiful rock formations scattered throughout the country and learn how the Chocolate Hills or the Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River came to be.

Metamorphic Rocks in the Philippines

Intrusive Igneous Rocks in the Philippines

Gallery II (The Geology of the Philippines): 5/F, National Museum of Natural History:  Agrifina Circle in Rizal Park, T.M. Kalaw Street, corner General Luna Street, Manila. Open Tuesdays – Sundays,   9 AM to 12 noon (cut off time is 11 AM) and 1 to 4 PM (cut off time is 3 PM). Tel: 82981100 local 3000 and 85277889.  E-mail:  cmvod@nationalmuseum.ph or inquiry@nationalmuseumph.gov.ph. 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.  Coordinates: 14°34′59.9″N 120°58′55.9″E.

Gallery I (Philippine Biodiversity)

Gallery I (Philippine Biodiversity), the introductory gallery of the National Museum of Natural History, introduces the various dynamics that shaped, and is still shaping, our biological diversity.  It highlights the amazing diversity (more than 52,000 described species) of both flora and fauna of the country, both through replicas and petrified, and dioramas.

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A Menagerie of Birds from the Philippines

The gallery wishes to convey three biological principles that tell the story of why and how the Philippines is a Megadiverse yet also a Biologically Hotspot country. A Megadiverse country is a country with very rich biodiversity per unit area while a “Biological Hotspot” is a term used to indicate that a country or locality is under tremendous threat from human activities.

Shells by the Seashore and Deep Blue Sea

The three principles that it wants to communicate answers the questions of “Why the Philippines is home to an immense diversity in number and variety of organisms yet also has the most threat to them;” why we have elevated genetic variety across our species diversity” and “why geologic forces have played a major role in the diversity of our fauna and flora.”

The author beside Lolong

On display here are the taxidermied skins of Lolong (caught in 2011 in Bunawan, Agusan del Sur, it was the world’s largest saltwater crocodile, at 6.17 m., in captivity until its death on February 10, 2013) and the critically endangered Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), the country’s national bird.

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The Philippine Eagle

There are also taxidermied skins of nocturnal raptors (Luzon Scops Owl, Philippine Scops Owl, etc.), hornbills; forest rats, pigeons; doves; marine species (turtles, etc.) and diverse wild vertebrates of the Philippines.

Diverse Wild Vertebrates of the Philippines

Philippine Rafflesia

Also on display are a collection of shells by the seashore and deep blue sea; insects; moths and animal skulls (notably that of a tamaraw) as well as specimen samples of rattan; endemic plant genera in the Philippines; Philippine rafflesia and Venus flower basket.

The Science of Skulls

Gallery I (Philippine Biodiversity): Sunlife Philippines Exhibition Hall, 5/F, National Museum of Natural History,  Agrifina Circle in Rizal Park, T.M. Kalaw Street, corner General Luna Street, Manila. Open Tuesdays – Sundays,   9 AM to 12 noon (cut off time is 11 AM) and 1 to 4 PM (cut off time is 3 PM). Tel: 82981100 local 3000 and 85277889.  E-mail:  cmvod@nationalmuseum.ph or inquiry@nationalmuseumph.gov.ph. 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.  Coordinates: 14°34′59.9″N 120°58′55.9″E.

Gallery VIII (Freshwater Wetlands)

Gallery VIII (Freshwater Wetlands) of the National Museum of Natural History features scaled models of some noteworthy freshwater wetlands in the country such as Taal Lake (Batangas), the seven lakes of San Pablo City (Laguna), Balinsasayao Twin Lakes (Negros Oriental), Paoay Lake (Ilocos Norte) and Lake Sebu (South Cotabato).

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Balinsasayao Twin Lakes (Negros Oriental)

Taal Lake (Batangas)

Paoay Lake

Unique species of plants and animals associated to freshwater ecosystems are presented in the form of preserved specimens, videos, photographs and models.

Winter Visitors

Rails and Allies

One of a kind specimens exhibited here include the Kabauing-bauing Isoetes philippinensis (a species of freshwater plant found only in Lanao Province and nowhere else) and the Bucal freshwater crab (Sundathelphusa sp.), a newly described species of cavernicolous freshwater crab in Luzon.

Brahminy Kite

Philippine Duck

Sixteen graphic panels (Agro-Biodiversity and Beneficial Insects, Conservation and Protection of the Philippine Crocodile, Endemism on Philippine Freshwater Wetlands, Plant Resources from Freshwater Wetlands, Wetlands and Migration, Threats to Inland Freshwater Ecosystems, Seasons – Wet and Dry, Plant Resources from Freshwater Wetlands, Marshes and Swamps, Rivers, Lakes, etc.) showcase freshwater ecosystems, conservation activities, species and habitats.

Marbled Monitor Lizard

Philippine Crocodile

The gallery also highlights the Philippine crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis) and Philippine duck (Anas luzonica) which are both unique to the country’s freshwater wetlands.

Gallery VIII (Freshwater Wetlands): Megaworld Exhibition Hall, 4/F, National Museum of Natural History:  Agrifina Circle in Rizal Park, T.M. Kalaw Street, corner General Luna Street, Manila. Open Tuesdays – Sundays,   9 AM to 12 noon (cut off time is 11 AM) and 1 to 4 PM (cut off time is 3 PM). Tel: 82981100 local 3000 and 85277889.  E-mail:  cmvod@nationalmuseum.ph or inquiry@nationalmuseumph.gov.ph. 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.  Coordinates: 14°34′59.9″N 120°58′55.9″E.

Gallery VII (Ultramafic and Limestone Karst Forests)

Gallery VII (Ultramafic and Limestone Karst Forests) of the National Museum of Natural History features the two unique forest types in the Philippines that are produced by geological features called ophiolites.

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Limestone Karst Forest in Quezon Protected Landscape

Pygmy Forest in Dinagat Island

This gallery expounds how the country’s unique geological formation shapes the exceptional flora and fauna of the Philippines.

Karst Geckos

Limestone Frogs

Shown in this gallery are the metallophytes and carnivorous plants (Exocarpus latifolius, Scaevola micrantha, several species of Xanthostemon, Greenlopsis and Phyllanthus, etc.) that are well adapted to the iron-rich, nutrient-deficient ultramafic soil such as the “bonsai” or other small trees that form a pygmy forest.

Metallophyte Plants

Flora – Greeniopsis discolor at left and Philippine Iron Wood (Xanthostemon verdugonianus) at right

The exceptional faunal diversity of the ultramafic (also called utrabasic) and limestone karst forests is also displayed.  It also houses mini replicas of ultramafic and limestone karst forests in the country.

Replica of a Cave

Stalactites and Stalagmites

A replica of a cave is filled with limestone, stalagmites, stalactites as well as animals that can be found in such an environment such as the Glossy Swiftlet (Collocalia esculenta), Philippine Cave Crab (Karstarma philippinarum), whip spiders, Tailless whip scorpions and vinegaroons.

Philippine Cave Crab (Karstarma philippinarum)

Ultramafic Rocks

Gallery VII (Ultramafic and Limestone Karst Forests): First Philippine Holdings Exhibition Hall, 4/F, National Museum of Natural History:  Agrifina Circle in Rizal Park, T.M. Kalaw Street, corner General Luna Street, Manila. Open Tuesdays – Sundays,   9 AM to 12 noon (cut off time is 11 AM) and 1 to 4 PM (cut off time is 3 PM). Tel: 82981100 local 3000 and 85277889.  E-mail:  cmvod@nationalmuseum.ph or inquiry@nationalmuseumph.gov.ph. 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.  Coordinates: 14°34′59.9″N 120°58′55.9″E.