Adler Planetarium (Chicago, Illinois, USA)

Posted on 8 October, 2026 by Benjie Layug — Leave a reply

After our tour of Shedd Aquarium, we walked the short 1.3-km. (10-min.) distance, along Solidarity Drive, to Adler Planetarium, a municipal public museum for astronomy and the first planetarium in the United States. As we approached the planetarium, we were greeted by bronze statue of Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus sitting on a pedestal and grazing towards Chicago’s skyline. A bronze replica of the famous 1830 original monument in Warsaw, Poland, created by sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen, the Chicago bronze cast was executed by Bronislaw Koniuszy and dedicated and installed in 1973 by the Adler Planetarium to mark the 500th anniversary of Copernicus’s birth, with funding spearheaded by the Copernicus Foundation.

Located on the northeastern tip of Northerly Island (the first of five intended but, otherwise, never executed recreational islands that were to be consistent with Daniel Burnham‘s 1909 Plan of Chicago) on Lake Michigan, the planetarium is part of Chicago’s Museum Campus (which includes the Shedd Aquarium and the Field Museum of Natural History). Operated by the Chicago Park District, a municipal government agency of the City of Chicago, its mission is to inspire exploration and understanding of the universe.

Bronze statue of Nicolaus Copernicus by Bertel Thorvaldsen

Check out “Shedd Aquarium” and the “Field Museum of Natural History”

Here’s the historical timeline of the planetarium:

In 1913, Oskar von Miller of the Deutsches Museum commissioned Carl Zeiss Works in Jena, Germany, to design a mechanism that projects an image of celestial bodies onto a dome.
In 1923, Walther Bauersfeld, scientific director of the firm of Carl Zeiss Works designs an optical projection device that effectively creates the illusion of a night sky. With this innovation, the modern planetarium is born. By 1929, the popularity of the planetarium spreads, and there were fifteen planetariums in Germany, two in Italy, one in Russia, and one in Austria.
In 1928, local businessman Max Adler (a former executive with Sears, Roebuck & Co. who had recently retired to focus on philanthropic endeavors, primarily on behalf of musical and Jewish communities) and his cousin architect Ernest A. Grunsfeld, Jr. traveled to Germany where Adler was so impressed by the modern Munich planetarium that he donates funds to construct the first planetarium in the Western Hemisphere. He offers $500,000 for the construction of the first planetarium in the Western Hemisphere and commissions Grunsfeld to design the Chicago structure.
In 1930, at an auction in Amsterdam, Max Adler purchases the collection of antique astronomical instruments of A. W. Mensing. The Mensing Collection became the focus of the Astronomical Museum.
On May 12, 1930. on Max Adler‘s birthday, the Adler Planetarium and Astronomical Museum is opened to the public. Phillip Fox, Ph.D., a professor of astronomy at Northwestern University, is appointed as the Planetarium’s first director.
In 1931, Ernest A. Grunsfeld Jr. was awarded the gold medal of the Chicago chapter of the American Institute of Architects for the planetarium’s design.
In 1931, the planetarium hosted the 44th meeting of the American Astronomical Society.
In 1933, the Century of Progress Exposition takes place on what is now the Museum Campus.
In 1941, Phillip Fox is deployed to the Army and, during his absence, Assistant Director Maude Bennot is appointed acting director of the Planetarium.
In 1952, Max Adler dies.
In 1967, the board of trustees is created to share in the responsibilities and management of the Adler Planetarium with the commissioners of the Chicago Park District. The Adler Planetarium refurbishes the building and replaces the original Zeiss projector with a new Mark VI Zeiss unit.
On May 12, 1973, Adler Planetarium’s 43rd birthday, a new underground expansion is opened to the public.
In 1976, the Board of Trustees assumes full management responsibility for the planetarium but continues to receive support from the Chicago Park District.
In 1977, the Doane Observatory opens.
On February 27, 1987, the Adler Planetarium was declared as a National Historic Landmark.
In 1987, Doane Observatory’s original telescope, a 41-cm. (16-in.) Cassegrain reflecting telescope built by the Adler optical and machine shop staff, was retired and replaced with the current telescope.
In 1991, the museum unveils the results of the $6.5 million renovation project and, after 23 years of leadership, Dr. Joseph M. Chamberlain retires.
In 1999, the 60,000 sq. ft. Sky Pavilion, designed by Lohan Associates of Chicago and featuring four new exhibition galleries, including the historic Atwood Sphere and the Definiti (formerly StarRider) Theater, opens to the public.
In 2005, retired NASA astronaut James A. Lovell Jr. serves as chairman of Adler Planetarium’s 75th-anniversary celebration.
In 2007, the Adler Planetarium unveils its new Space Visualization Laboratory (SVL) was inaugurated in 2007 to virtually explore the Universe bringing the latest images of space science to the public.
The Space Visualization Laboratory.
In 2010, the Adler Planetarium begins transformation of the historic Sky Theater.
In May 2011, the renamed Grainger Sky Theater, at the time, the most technologically advanced dome theater in the world, was opened. The Clark Family Welcome Gallery, designed by Thomas Roszak Architecture, uses an LED-lit fabric and aluminum structure that includes educational interactive material projected on the fabric walls.
In 2012, after 21 years of service, Paul H. Knappenberger Jr. Ph.D., announces his retirement.
In 2013, the Board of Trustees elects astrophysicist and academic leader Michelle B. Larson, Ph.D., as president and CEO, the Adler Planetarium’s ninth leader and the first female president.
In 2013, “Adler After Dark,” the Adler Planetarium’s 21+ evening event, was voted “Best After Hours Event,” by the Chicago Reader, and “Best Date Night” by Chicago Parent.
In 2013, the Adler Planetarium undertook the first major renovation of the Doane Observatory. Renovations included the addition of an indoor classroom, a restroom, accessible entry ramps, and telescope and technology upgrades.
In 2015, the major upgrade of the Doane Observatory was completed.
In 2025, the Adler Planetarium appoints Elizabeth Babcock as President and Chief Executive Officer.

The Adler Planetarium, a member institution of the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope project, has three theaters (two domed and one standard), space science exhibitions, including the Gemini 12 space capsule, a collection of antique scientific instruments and print materials. The Grainger Sky Theater, the largest of the Adler Planetarium’s theaters, has a dome that measures 21 m./830 in. (69 ft.) in diameter.

When we approached the planetarium is surrounded by sculptures including Man Enters the Cosmos (Henry Moore, 1980); Spiral Galaxy (John David Mooney, 1998); and America’s Courtyard (Ary Perez and Denise Milan).

Th Adler also hosts the Doane Observatory, a research-active public observatory with the largest aperture telescope available to the public in the Chicago area. With its 51-cm. (20-in.) diameter mirror, the Doane Observatory can gather over 5,000 times more light than an unaided human eye, allowing guests to see celestial objects like the Moon, planets, stars, and galaxies that are trillions of kilometers, if not many light years, away.

The Astronomy Department of Adler Planetarium and the Webster Institute for the History of Astronomy conduct and publish research for both the scientific community as well as the general public. The planetarium’s astronomers possess expertise in many areas of astronomy as well as other closely related science fields and their studies include planetary geology, star formation, gamma-rays, and telescope observing.

The Collections Department cares for, studies, and interprets the planetarium collections which, since the Adler’s opening, has grown to approximately 8,000 objects, books, works on paper, archival collections, paintings, and photographs. The Adler hosts archives from Derek J. de Solla Price, Michael J. Crowe, and NASA astronaut Jim Lovell, as well as the largest collection of historic scientific instruments in the Western Hemisphere.

The Adler Citizen Science Department is also the U.S. headquarters of The Zooniverse, a citizen science platform and a global collaboration across several institutions that designs and builds citizen science projects and, as of early 2014, has engaged more than 1.1 million online volunteers as active scientists by discovering planets, mapping the surface of Mars, and detecting solar flares.

Guests at “Adler After Dark,” the Adler Planetarium’s 21+ evening event, have open museum access, themed programs, sky shows and views of the Chicago skyline. “Astro Overnights” gives families a chance to spend a night under the stars at the Adler. Guests have open museum access, a sky show and educational programming.

The Adler also hosts quarterly “Hack Days” (intended to encourage software developers, designers, scientists, engineers, artists and people who just like to create and build, to work together to solve problems); and summer camps (where participants build rockets, launch high-altitude balloons, and explore the edge of space). The Adler’s hands-on summer camps are designed for children ages 5–14.

Adler Planetarium: 1300 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, Illinois 60605. Tel: +1 312-922-7827. Website: www.adlerplanetarium.org. Open Thursdays through Tuesdays, 9 AM to 4 PM, and Wednesdays, 4 PM to 10 PM (extended evening hours). Admission: $25.00 (adults, ages 12+) and $13.00 (children, ages 3-11). Free admission for Illinois residents. Online advance ticket purchases are required on the Adler Planetarium Tickets page. Coordinates: 41°51′59″N 87°36′24″W.

Vancouver Island Military Museum (Nanaimo, British Columbia)

Posted on 4 August, 2026 by Benjie Layug — Leave a reply

On our last day in Nanaimo, we drove the short 4.5-km. (a 10-min. drive), from Departure Bay Motel, to Vancouver Island Military Museum. Considered as British Columbia’s most significant military museum, the Vancouver Island Military Museum’s truly impressive collection of military memorabilia and artifacts, from the War of 1812 right through to Canada’s involvement in Afghanistan, was assembled by the museum for more than a quarter of a century.

Lodged in a historic, 2-storey, octagon-shaped building, built by the Hudson’s Bay Company between 1853 and 1855 to defend their coal mining operations in the area, it originally housed the Nanaimo Centennial Museum, opened in 1967.

The museum, receiving around 3,500 visitors a year, features than 25 exhibits and displays showcasing Canada’s proud military history and traditions.

Our guide Mr. Joseph “Joe” Pighin pointing to a model of the HMS Ajax

We were shown around the museum by knowledgeable and friendly volunteer guide Joseph “Joe” Pighin, who authored research articles for the museum publications, covering topics like Canadians who served and died fighting for other countries (such as in the American Civil War). He also contributed a Chinese army ammunition belt from the Korean War.

Here, we examined life on the home front; the important work of the Red Cross, St John Ambulance, the Salvation Army, and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP); and the critical role played by the Canadian Merchant Navy in war time.

We also followed the evolution of Women in the Armed Forces, from Nursing Sisters, during the Second Boer War and World War I, where more than 2800 Canadian Nursing Sisters served (many of them nuns, nicknamed the “bluebirds” due to their blue dresses and white veils), to present day operations in all branches of the Canadian Armed Forces. By World War II, the first Women’s Division of the Royal Canadian Air Force was created. By the end of the war, membership totaled more than 1,700. Initially performing clerical and administrative roles, a number of them later became radio/radar operators, plotters, coding technicians, and signalers.

The many unique artifacts and exhibits, related to the military and life on the homefront, include extensive dioramas, unit histories, the riding crop used by Canadian Corps Cmdr. Arthur Currie during World War I; the ship’s bell from HMCS Saskatchewan, dedicated displays with detailed scale models of the coastal defense vessel HMCS Nanaimo (MM 702) and the World War II corvette HMCS Nanaimo (K101); rare items linked to Nanaimo fighter ace Raymond Collishaw; a gallery of photos of Canadian Forces members killed in the Afghanistan War, 2001-2011; 2000+ military books and military history, from the War of 1812 through the Cold War to Canada’s involvement in Afghanistan.

Canadian Forces in Afghanistan Exhibit. At the bottom left is a Russian 40 mm Automatic Grenade launcher (AGS-17)

On display at the German Memorabilia Exhibit are a German Luftwaffe pilot uniform and a framed picture of Adolf Hitler that a unit of the Canadian Army in the Netherlands, used for target practice in 1945 and brought home by Nanaimo veteran Maj. Stewart Edgar Jamieson. There’s also an exhibit dedicated to Winston Churchill.

German Memorabilia Exhibit. At the center is a German Luftwaffe pilot uniform

Framed photo of Adolf Hitler with bullet holes

The 85 firearms (from 300 in its inventory), secured safely (rendered fully inactive/deactivated for public viewing) and on display behind glass display cases, features deactivated pistols, long guns, and main-service rifles from the War of 1812 through the Cold War, including standard service rifles and handguns utilized by Canadian, American, and Allied troops, alongside captured German and Japanese artifacts, as well as percussion cap rifles, early long guns, and small arms used up through the Vietnam War era.

Russian DShKM Heavy Machine Gun. At the base is a Russian Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG)

The 90 curated uniforms (from 700 in storage) on display include Royal Canadian Air Force attire (complete with rare historical pins and veteran histories); dedicated dress and service gear representing the evolution of female roles, from early nursing sisters to modern armed forces; and outfits and gear representing the two World Wars, the Korean War and peacekeeping missions, alongside Allied and adversary dress.

Also very interesting was the display of model airplanes crafted, over many years, by volunteer researcher and modeler Pat Murphy. The exhibit showcases roughly 70 meticulously-researched (it required up to 50 hours of historical cross-referencing and hand-assembly) replicas of World War II Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Supermarine Spitfires and the specific pilots who flew them including historic local veterans, such as the late World War II Spitfire pilot Pierce George Brewster (whose “Lois-II” model was added to the permanent display) and Squadron Leader Hart Finley. Each miniature Spitfire was built to replicate the exact squadron codes, serial numbers, and nose art of a real aircraft flown by a Canadian veteran.

Two of their incredibly rare possessions, significant to military history, is a signed Christmas card from Adolf Hitler to his command structure in 1939 (seen at the captured German memorabilia display) and a 1937 Canadian dollar bill signed by flying ace George Frederick “Buzz” Beurling, considered to be Canada’s most famous hero of World War II nicknamed both as the Falcon of Malta and the Knight of Malta.

The Ronald Buxton album was assembled from the somewhat tattered remains of a scrapbook Ronald Buxton kept during the three years he was a prisoner of war. Many of the pictures in this album were done by Lt. Gordon Horner of the 72nd Field Regiment. K.A. (a fellow P.O.W and a former ‘Sunday Chronicle’ war artist) while others are freehand copies, done by Ronald, of some of his sketches.

The facility also features permanent exhibits containing extensive historic military medal displays, from World War I, World War II, and post-war conflicts, donated by families and veterans. They also offer professional medal mounting and framing services for orders, decorations (court or swing-mounted on brooch or push pins using regulation ribbons service medals), and service medals with historical accuracy, alongside housing.

The exhibits, covering all phases of Canadian military history (which, of course, means there is a lot of crossover with events involving the USA such as the American Revolution and the War of 1812), at the museum’s well filled space was well organized and professionally presented, with many of the “real stuff,” and none of the “interpretive” pap of many other museums. The exhibits are updated when new information or artifacts come in.

At the ground floor is the Veterans Wall of Honour. Began in October 2013, it was dedicated at a ceremony held on June 16, 2016 by Judith Guichon, OBC, the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia. The wall was created to recognize the service of veterans from Canada’s Armed Forces, Merchant Navy, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and those who served with British and Commonwealth of Nations Forces and its Allies, and as a fund-raising project to further the work of the museum. The wall, displays 414 black granite plaques, showing each veteran’s name, branch of service, and dates of service. The largest tribute dedicated solely to military service in British Columbia it is, however, not a memorial as the plaques show no rank, honors nor awards.

Mounted at the entrance of the museum is the actual 40 mm. Bofors Gun from the decommissioned Royal Canadian Navy’s maritime coastal defense vessel HMCS Nanaimo which was presented during a ceremony, attended by the mayor, members of city council, and the ship’s crew, held on July 1, 2017, during the celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday and the 20th anniversary of the commissioning of the HMCS Nanaimo.

Vancouver Island Military Museum: Piper Park, 100 Cameron Rd., Nanaimo, British Columbia BC V9R 0C8. Tel: (250) 753-3814. E-mail: oic@militarymuseum.ca. Website: www.militarymuseum.ca. Admission: $4.00 for adults; $2.00 for students and seniors; free for children under 12 and military/RCMP veterans or active personnel. Open Tuesdays through Fridays, from 10 AM to 3 PM, and Saturdays, from 11 AM to 3 PM (Closed Sundays and Mondays).

How to Get There: The museum is located in downtown Nanaimo’s dynamic waterfront; close to the Port Theatre, the Inner Harbour Boat Basin, Cruise Ship Facility, the Nanaimo Conference Centre, Tourism Office and many major hotels.

Badlands Historical Center (Drumheller, Alberta)

Posted on 5 July, 2026 by Benjie Layug — Leave a reply

The fascinating, one-storey Badlands Historical Centre, Drumheller’s original museum, was founded in the 1950s. This off-beat museum, with an outdoor dinosaur sculpture & other unique displays, was designed to showcase the rich history and geological significance of the Badlands region.

Located in the heart of downtown Drumheller, this off-beat, community-run local museum is distinct from the larger Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology. It features informative displays and exhibits that detail the area’s prehistoric past, including dinosaur fossils and the unique landscape shaped by erosion.

Check out “Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology”

Here, you can learn, in a neat retro setting, about the Valley’s rich history, from dinosaurs to its indigenous peoples, pioneering to coal mining and more. The center serves as an entry point to discover the captivating natural beauty and history of the surrounding landscape.

On display at the main gallery are an awesome Pachyrhinosaurus skull (fondly called Pachioni); tanned horsehides; a statue of Tom Three Persons (rodeo legend) a large coprolite; a half scale, 1927 John Deere Model D tractor; office and home furniture; and old office equipment (National cash register, typewriters, etc.); old photos; old newspaper clippings, and movie posters.

“W.G. Hodgson Juniper Root Carvings” features works of Alberta rancher and self-taught wood worker Wolfgang G. Hodgson.

“Murray Olsen: Artisan” spotlights Murray James Olsen who is often credited, with Tig Seland, with building the various iconic roadside dinosaur sculptures that now decorate the streets of Drumheller.

“Stars in the Valley” features major movies done or partially shot in the unique badlands landscape of Drumheller such as Superman (1978), Unforgiven (1992), Shanghai Noon (2000), Knockaround Guys (2001), Brokeback Mountain (2005), Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021), The Revenant (2015), and Rat Race (2001).

The private collection of pioneer Lawrence A. Duncan includes art (“Art by L.A. Duncan”), frontier antiques (“Curios of L.A. Duncan), regional fossils and indigenous Indian artifacts from the around the Red Deer River valley (“Indigenous Collection of L.A. Duncan”).

The fossil collection of William M. Fulton includes heavily crystallized petrified wood, amber fossils, an oyster shell with crystals, large fossil cones of sequoias, seeds of Carpolithus fultoni bell (gingko), crocodile teeth, a dinosaur toe bone, Tyrannosaurus rex teeth, a dinosaur bone with marrow replaced with crystals, a branch imprint in sandstone, a Champosar tail vertebrae, ammonites, and a dermal scute from an Ankylosaur.

Other informative displays include the “King of the Badlands;” “Dinosaurs;” “Petrified Forest;” “Native Culture;” “Pioneers,” “Badlands Geology,” “Agriculture of the Past,” “C.A. (Charlie) Smith,” “Drumheller First Responders,” “Drumheller the Coal City,” and “History of Oil and Gas.”

Adjoining the main gallery is the dedicated Duncan Room which was named after local resident Lawrence “Larry” A. Duncan, a self-educated and gifted entrepreneur who was active in the development of American and Canadian mining and petroleum services for over 50 years.

Born in 1890 in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, he was an Albertan since 1908. He was actively involved in the excavation of dinosaurs, professional photography, the Alpine Club of Canada and the Alberta Mineral Society (formed in 1931). He founded Canada’s oldest lapidary firm as well as the Calgary Rock and Lapidary Club in 1959.

Scaled model of a village, train station and railway tracks

On display here are Royal Canadian Mountain Police (RCMP) uniforms, medals and insignia; a statue of Herman Linder (a Canadian rancher, rodeo promoter and competitor); a bust of politician Gordon E. Taylor (1910-2003); a scaled model of a village, train station and railway tracks; rock samples; firefighting equipment (fire extinguishers, gas masks, etc.); old photos; artwork; and porcelain figurines.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) uniforms and porcelain figurines

A magnificent car, hand-built by Murray Olsen, uses a hydraulic drive and requires no supports of skid drives, defying all logic. The car balances entirely on two wheels and can operate at speeds of up to 5 miles per hour and can take slopes of up to 45 degrees.

The scaled replica of a No. 6015, made by Charlie Smith, has a steam engine that weighs over 400 kgs. and, when running, can carry up to 7 people.

Informative displays include “Baseball in the Valley,” “Drumheller Curling Club 1919 – 2025,” “Hockey in the Valley,” and “Sports in the Valley.”

Visitors can also explore educational resources, participate in guided tours, and learn about the indigenous cultures that have inhabited this area. Its gift shop sells select dinosaur fossils. amethyst and peacock ore (bornite) samples ($20), bags, jewelry as well as other souvenirs.

Badlands Historical Center: 335 1st Street East, Drumheller, Alberta T0J 0Y0. Tel: 403-823-2593. E-mail: badlandshcinfo@gmail.com and badlandshistoricalcentre@gmail.com. Website: www.badlandsmuseum.wordpress.com. Open Mondays to Saturdays, 9 AM to 5:30 PM, and Sundays,10 AM to 5 PM. Admission: $20/person.

Mactan Newtown (Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu)

Posted on 15 June, 2026 by Benjie Layug — Leave a reply

The 28.8-hectare (74-acre) Mactan Newtown, a mixed-use, master-planned central business district, is the first integrated township development built by Megaworld Corporation outside of Metro Manila and the country’s first “Live-Work-Play-Learn” lifestyle township. It caters to facilities and establishments such as condominiums, hotels, business process outsourcing office towers, a convention facility (Mactan Expo Center), a lifestyle mall, schools (Newtown School of Excellence, Global Leaders International School, etc.), groceries (Robinson’s Easymart, Bkue Mart), a bank branch (Unionbank) and a 75-m. wide white sand beachfront (Mactan Newton Beach).

Plaza Magellan, a Megaworld Lifestyle Mall that will face the historical Mactan Shrine, brings to life the “Play” aspect of Mactan Newtown. Aside from housing the finest shopping, dining and entertainment choices, this three-level retail and commercial hub features a Spanish galleon flanked by Spanish steps and arches – reminiscent of the Spanish era in the Philippines.

The Newtown School of Excellence features two buildings with a total of 16 classrooms that can accommodate up to 35 students each; a modern library, school clinic, General Science laboratory, computer laboratory, TLE (Technology and Livelihood Education) classroom, playground and a multipurpose gymnasium. It offers programs from Nursery up to Grade 9 levels and boasts facilities that complement children’s academic and extracurricular pursuits.

Global Leaders International School (GLIS) is an accredited Cambridge International School, at Tower 1, Plaza Magellan, offering International curriculum for ages PK–12 that delivers quality education using a progressive teaching approach.

The Mactan Expo Center, a P1.5 billion standalone convention facility developed by Megaworld, has nearly 10,000 square meters of event space and a main hall that can accommodate about 2,500 people, in theater style, or 1,600 guests for banquets. The hall can also be divide into three smaller venues for simultaneous events.

The area features two major, large-scale properties and various private condotels. The 18-storey, 547-room Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown, highly favored by business travelers and a certified Muslim-friendly establishment, is the largest on Mactan Island. It features an outdoor pool, a gym, and access to nearby beach frolics.

Check out “Hotel and Inn Review: Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown”

The 550-room Mercure Mactan Cebu, formerly Belmont Hotel Mactan, is the latest addition to the township. It offers premium meeting facilities, a large pool with cabanas, and a beach bar.

The Mactan Newtown caters to multiple residential developments. It offers a mix of completed and pre-selling condominium developments catering to investors, retirees, and locals. They include:

8 Newtown Boulevard – a Japanese-inspired residential cluster that includes four 18-stories high towers featuring lush garden decks, an infinity pool, and sky gardens.
The three-tower One Manchester Place – located near the Cyberpark and Newtown Beach, this residential complex features executive studios up to three-bedroom units.
One Pacific Residence – located right at the center of the township, it features resort-style amenities, including a lap pool, in-pool lounge, and fitness gym.
The 20-storey The Pearl Global Residences – a tower inspired by the luxury of beachfront living, it offers studio to 3-bedroom configurations that will add 222 units from the Mactan Newtown’s 1,836 existing residential units from its inventory.
The 21-storey Positano Mactan – a residential tower capturing the vibrant Italian resort lifestyle, it features exclusive amenities like an aqua gym, pool deck, and fitness center.
The 20-storey La Victoria Global Residences – a Spanish-inspired condominium that will include 181 units, it blends modern living with the island’s rich historical heritage.

The Mactan Newtown also features a bustling food scene, highlighted by the Mactan Alfresco hawker center and the 8 Newtown Boulevard/Garden Walk retail strips. Dining options range from budget-friendly Filipino street food to casual international restobars. Foodies and diners will have their hands full choosing from some of Cebu’s finest dining establishments. They include:

Choobi Choobi – famous for its “Shrimp in a Bag,” a one pound of fresh shrimp which comes with corn on the bob and sauce options like Butter Garlic, Cajun, Sauteed in Garlic and Spicy Gata. It also serves Filipino comfort food such as Choobi Pata, Lola Pepang’s Fried Manok and Fried Herbed Spring Duck (a free range duck fried with secret herbs and spices).
Chicken & Beer – a highly rated Korean-style restobar, it offers crispy fried chicken and great beers.
Gordon Ramsey Fish & Chips – located at the ground floor of Mercure Mactan Cebu, it offers traditional fish and chips using high-quality fillets (often Alaskan Pollock), shrimp, chicken combos, and fresh-squeezed lemonades.
Kogi-Q – located at 8 Newton Boulevard, it offers a yakiniku buffet experience.
Korea on the Plate – located at the ground floor of One Pacific Residence, it offers unlimited samgyeopsal for 550 pesos plus all Korean side dishes with unlimited refills.
Samurai & Geisha – located inside One Pacific Residence, this popular restobar features both Spanish cuisine and a shisha lounge.
Savoy Café – located inside Savoy Hotel, it serves a mix of Filipino and international à la carte dishes.
Starbucks – located at the ground floor of 8 Newtown Boulevard
Sugoi – Ramen Bar – located at Mangrove Place, it offers budget-friendly Japanese ramen.Zus Coffee

Mactan Alfresco, conveniently placed near the main entrance of Mactan Newtown, is a covered dining strip patterned after Singapore’s famed hawkers centers. This 350-seater food strip is designed to showcase the best authentic Cebuano cooking and cuisine—from a delicious variety of sinugba to Filipino favorites like skewered chicken, fish, shrimp, Cebu’s famous chorizo and the freshest seafood. One of its unique features is the large communal outdoor grill or ihawan.

A perfect way to cook Cebu’s bounty of land and sea, guests can choose from an array of freshly cooked food choices “turo-turo” style or choose fresh meat and seafood and have it cooked according to their preference. Each viand is partnered with puso (rice wrapped in triangular buri leaves) which one eats with their bare hands. Diners here can also enjoy lechon, “the world’s best pig” (as the late Anthony Bourdain puts it) and Cebu’s culinary pride in the most delectable and freshest of ways with its six “lechon pits,” thrilling guests who can now experience lechon roasting on the premises while enjoying the freshest lechon. Stalls include:

Anna’s Lechon – serves delicious lechon paksiw and dinuguan.
Cebu AyerLechon – Cebu’s No. 1 lechon-maker
Cebu’s Original Lechon Belly – try out their lechon belly, which comes in spicy and regular flavor.
Conching’s – a homegrown Cebuano brand, it is among the few places that offer a taste of native Cebu chicken or “Manok Bisaya,” which is best enjoyed grilled.
Hukad Cafe – offers irresistible varieties of sisig to delectable renditions of lechon and pansit.
Lolo Pinoy Grill
Mama Linda Inato BBQ Haus – serves a menu filled with delicious, sizzling grilled food and fresh seafood such as Sizzling Gambas, Beef, Pork, Squid, Seafood and even Chicken Feet. They also have Crab ala King in Chili Sauce, Garlic Shrimp and Garlic Crab, Sweet & Spicy Sugpo, Steamed Lapu-Lapu and Crispy Pata.
Manang Sayong – serves authentic Pinoy gastronomy such as pochero, sinuglaw (a delicious combination of grilled meat and ceviche), along with a variety of seafood, pork, beef and chicken dishes.
Mers Paluto – here you can pick fresh ingredients and have them cooked to order.
Meximama – offers Mexican favorites such as Taco Carnitas, the Costillas de Cerdo or Pork Ribs and for a sweet finish, their Churros con Chocolate.
Muvanz Pocherohan and Seafoods – aside from a great grilled seafood selection, it is known for their rich, savory beef pochero (beef marrow stew), their rich scallops (saltwater clam cooked with cream and butter) and sizzling squid.
Orange Brutus
Orange Karenderia – a Mandaue-based eatery that serves Cebuano favorites and equally delectable exotic dishes and is known for its bestsellers Betsy’s Garlic Chicken, their crispy Tuna Buntot or Pork Barbecue.
Oyster Bay Seafood Restaurant – one of Mandaue’s finest dining destinations known for its wide selection of live and fresh fish, crabs and lobster dishes, it offers dishes such as the Halaan Soup, Oysterbay Crab as well as Filipino and Chinese favorites such as lechon kawali, Bicol express, Patatim and other.

McDonald’s and Jollibee are also conveniently located across the highway just outside the main township gates.

Soon to open is the Mactan World Museum, a P1.2-billion cultural landmark that will highlight the historical exchange between the Philippines and Spain, featuring five galleries detailing the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan, the Battle of Mactan, and the Manila Galleon trade.

Mactan Newtown Beach, formerly Portofino Beach Resort, was opened in 2020. With its magnificent view of the Hilutungan Strait, it offers a large, 1.5-m. (5-ft.) deep infinity swimming pool (with a covered wading area and a pool bar), private thatched-roof lounging cabanas and shaded lounge chairs situated along the poolside and the 75-m. wide, white sand beach, meticulously landscaped gardens, shops, and a state-of-the-art fitness station and a small, picturesque pier. A variety of water sports activities such as banana boat rides, jet skiing, and parasailing are available. The adjacent boardwalk also serves as a departure point for island-hopping trips to the nearby islands.

Day-use packages typically range from ₱1,088 to ₱1,288, covering beach and pool access, use of cabanas, and a lunch buffet. Guests staying at the Mercure Hotel or Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown usually receive free beach and pool access. Open daily, from 6 AM to 10 PM, on weekends, and 6 AM to 8 PM on weekdays. Swimming is restricted during the later evening hours.

The oceanfront, 150-pax Ceremonial Garden, introduced in 2023, is a romantic outdoor event space facing the sea. It is often used for destination beach weddings, vow renewals, and intimate gatherings and is frequently booked in conjunction with the the 150-pax capacity Grand Beach Tent and the 300-pax Glass Pavilion.

Mactan Newtown has its own public terminal (Newtown Public Transport Terminal), located just outside the township, which caters to the Mactan Newton to Danao City, Danao City and IT Park routes and vice-versa.

Mactan Newtown: Newtown Blvd., Mactan Circumferential Rd., Lapu-Lapu City, 6015 Cebu. Mobile numbers (sales and information): (0917) 634-2257or (0998) 312-6276.

Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown: Tel: +032 494-4000. Mobile number: (0917) 868-6746 and (0917) 871-8007. E-mail: reserve@savoymactan.com and info@savoymactan.com. Social Media Pages (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube): Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown | Facebook / @savoymactannewtown / Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown.

Mercure Mactan Cebu: Tel: +32 520-4100. Mobile number: (0917) 861-1019. E-mail: HC586@accor.com. Website:Mercure Mactan Cebu ALL Accor.

Mactan Newtown Beach: Tel: (032) 316 2715. Mobile number: (0917) 704-4893.

Destileria Limtuaco Museum (City of Manila, Metro Manila)

Posted on 3 June, 2026 by Benjie Layug — Leave a reply

Destileria Limtuaco Museum, a two-storey wine museum by Destileria Limtuaco, the longest running existing distillery in the Philippines (founded in 1852), chronicles five generations of wine makers and preserves over a century of Filipino craftsmanship and innovation. This museum showcases the process and production of whiskeys and also features a collection of items and liquors dating back to the Spanish colonization.

It is housed in a bahay na bato (stone house), in Intramuros, which reeks of antiquity with its stone walls; baldoza tiles at the ground floor, hardwood plank flooring at the second floor and hardwood stairs. The house was purchased, in 1979, by the Limtuaco family but was only developed, later on, as a museum dedicated to its history.

The museum was conceptualized by Ms. Olivia “Olive” Limpe-Aw, a fifth-generation master distiller, after a visit to a wine museum in Germany where she realized the rich heritage of her family that could be of interest to the public through the museum. In 2020, she was named among Forbes Asia’s Power Businesswomen, praised for expanding the brand internationally while preserving its 170-year legacy. More recently, in 2024, she received the Outstanding ASEAN Women Entrepreneur (AWEN) Award, acknowledging her contributions to regional business excellence.

Our Roots…. Gallery (The Sioktong Story)

Opened on February 6, 2018, the museum is divided into a number of galleries. At the ground floor is How It Was Before…. Gallery, Our Roots…. Gallery, Our Mini Distillery ….Gallery, Our Process for Making Rum …. Gallery, Our Process for Making Whiskey …. Gallery, Ageing Matters…. Gallery, Signed … Sealed… Delivered…. Gallery, Home is Where the Heart Is … Gallery, Remember This… Gallery, A Matter of Time…. Gallery, Best Foot Forward …. Gallery and Mark It …. Market…. Gallery.

At the second floor is the So They Say…. Gallery, Generational Vibe …. Gallery, Product of Evolution …. Gallery, And the Award Goes To …. Gallery. At the stair landing is The Gallery displaying portraits of four generations of Limtuaco presidents.

The ground floor showcases the traditional distilling process and displays memorabilia steeped in history showing, not only the various products of Destileria Limtuaco; but also a collection of bottles throughout the years; vintage, traditional oak barrels and imported white oak; and the machines they used to produce various spirits (including damajuanas).

Portraits of four generations of Limtuaco presidents at The Gallery

The second floor exhibits company permits throughout the years and even their old cashier, dial-up phones, cameras, cash registers, typewriters and family memorabilia such as old photos; newspaper clippings; furniture (office desk, rocking chair, the wooden dresser of Teh Siu Yong Limpe, grandfather clock, etc.); the paintings of Julius Limpe, Olive’s father; brand evolution booklets (tracing label changes over 166 years); and awards of her lawyer-mother Ms. Lily Cheng-Limpe.

On display outside the house is a dadapilan, a traditional carabao-drawn sugar cane crusher used in the early days of Philippine spirit production. Upon entering the museum, a dedicated corner will introduce you to Tiok Tong (Siok Hoc Tong), the distillery’s flagship product. Introduced, in 1852, by Chinese immigrant Lim Tua Co (who adopted the Christian name Bonifacio Limtuaco), this traditional, bittersweet, medicinal herbal wine, which built the company’s foundation, is popularly known, throughout the country, as Sioktong. Within the display are historical bottles and original brewing herbs.

Visitors can also explore the intricate process of liquor-making and discover the stories, traditions, and people behind its well-loved products. On display are vintage distillation equipment such as mini tanks for fermenting molasses and corn; working distillators and displays on the production processes for rum and whiskey.

You will learn that the concept of the iconic commercial of White Castle Whiskey, one of the most famous brands of Destileria Limtuaco, of a model, traditionally wearing red bikinis, riding on a horse on the beach, which became famous throughout the decades, came to Julius Limpe in a dream and, upon waking, he sketched it and this became the inspiration for the brand’s storyboard.

On display are some of the White Castle Whisky calendars, an iconic Philippine promotional campaign produced by Destileria Limtuaco), that started in 1974. Past models include Evangeline Pascual (1974), Carmi Martin (1984), Maria Isabel Lopez (1988), Lorna Tolentino, Cristina Gonzalez (1990) and Glydel Mercado (1998) while recent models include Ninong Ry (the first male calendar model) in 2021, Sassa Gurl in 2022, Ria Atayde (actress) in 2023, Angelie “Pench” Andanar (a tattoo advocate and model) in 2025, Ashley Rivera (aka internet personality Petra Mahalimuyak) in 2026.

Personally, Olive has also developed her own brands that includes Julius James, a whiskey made purely from corn dedicated to her grandfather and father; as well as liqueurs such as Manille Liqueur Calamansi, Manille Liqueur Dalandan and Amadeo Coffee Liqueur. Today, Clifford, Aaron and Brandon, Olive’s sons, are also helping out as the sixth generation of master distillers, and it’s great that they have this museum, not only to remember, but also to continue sharing with the public the journey of all these iconic Filipino brands.

At the ground floor, you can also have a private dinner for as many as 20 pax, with food paired or even cooked with Destileria Limtuaco spirits. Aside from the rich family history, another thing that makes this museum distinct is that it is interactive. After your tour, visitors can opt for an optional tasting (you have to be over 18 years old), for an additional fee, of a flight of the company’s craft spirits at the Tasting Bar, including unique offerings like sugarcane wine, coconut vodka, premium lambanog infused with regional ingredients as well as the various drinks produced by Destileria Limtuaco (over 40 labels). Aside from White Castle Whisky, they also have Palawan Blanco Rum, Empire Vodka, Empire Gin, Napoleon VSOP Brandy, Maria Clara Sangria and Vigan Basi, among many others in an extensive list.

The company’s spirits have won many awards. At the prestigious World Drinks Awards held in London last June 4, 2025, Destileria Limtuaco was celebrated among the Global Taste and Design winners, with multiple products lauded for their exceptional flavor profiles and packaging that evoke Philippine heritage.

At the same event, the Intramuros Liqueur de Cacao (an all-natural spirit made, with 100% roasted cacao and a rich, velvety chocolate flavor) won the title “World’s Best Chocolate Liqueur;” the Manille Liqueur de Calamansi )an all-natural liqueur made by steeping calamansi rinds in a neutral spirit base with added sugar and no artificial flavors) was a gold winner as “Country Best Fruit Liqueur;” and the famous Amadeo Coffee Liqueur (made with locally sourced barako coffee, it blends four local Arabica, Robusta, Liberica, and Excelsa coffee varieties in a rum base), won the title “Best Coffee Liqueur.” The Cocohogo Coconut Cream Liqueur, a tropical and creamy liqueur which celebrates the flavors of coconut, won a Bronze Award, in the Vegan Alternative Category.

The Destileria Limtuaco logo

Today, Destileria Limtuaco operates three bottling, processing, and aging plants plus warehouses in Metro Manila, headquartered at 1830 E. Delos Santos Avenue, Quezon City. Now, instead of using traditional full-sized oak barrels, they use a specialized stainless steel vat equipped with submerged oak wood. This technique provides the necessary wood interaction to flavor the spirit while virtually eliminating the natural “angel’s share” (the evaporation loss that occurs with porous oak barrels) in the tropical climate.

Specialized stainless steel vat equipped with submerged oak wood

Destileria Limtuaco Museum: 481 San Juan de Letran (near Lyceum of the Philippines and Colegio de San Juan de Letran), Intramuros, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila. Tel: (083) 485 9621 Open Tuesdays to Sundays, 9 AM to 5 PM. Admission: Regular – ₱100 (regular), ₱50 (students and senior citizens) and ₱200 (Premium, with liquor tasting). This museum can now be visited as one of the five museums that are part of the Intramuros Day Pass, along with Fort Santiago, Baluarte de Santiago Gardens, Casa Manila Museum and Museo de Intramuros.

Teus Mansion (City of Manila, Metro Manila)

Posted on 30 April, 2026 by Benjie Layug — 2 Comments ↓

Fourth Part of NCCA Heritage Tour

The stunning, Spanish-Era, Neo-Gothic-style Teus Mansion (beside the Goldenberg Mansion), preserving the legacy of Philippine leadership by displaying rare portraits and historical memorabilia of the nation’s 17 Philippine presidents (that were previously shown in the Kalayaan Hall Presidential Museum and Library), takes its name from Valentin Teus Yrissari (1832-1909), a Spanish businessman, of Basque descent, from Navarra (at the foot of the Pyreness), who arrived in the Philippines in 1847 at the age of 15.

Check out “Goldenberg Mansion“

In 1856, Teus acquired a local distillery in Hagonoy, Bulacan, owned by Elias Menchatorre. Later, he merged his operations with Ynchausti y Cia, a company supplying equipment and abaca rope (for ship’s rigging) for steamships, which evolved into the renowned Tanduay Distillers.

In 1871, Valentin became alcalde primero of the Ayuntamiento (City Council) de Manila and, the following year, was honored as Comendador de la Real Orden de Isabela la Catolica. He later married Teresa Ferrater Ponte (1847 – 1892), the niece of the capitán general. Following Ponte’s demise, Valentin, now 62, married Maria Dolores Menendez Valdes de Cornellana Ferrater, Teresa’s 20-year old niece, at San Miguel Church. They had 4 children: Valentin Jr. (who died young), Concepcion (known as Concha), Valentin III (or Tito), and Dolores (affectionately called Lolin).

Busts of presidents lining the main hall

Initially residing in Binondo, Valentin, in a gesture of affection, surprised Dolores with Teus Mansion in the 1890s, a new residence, in the fashionable arrabal of San Miguel, built on the ruins of an older convent probably destroyed during the 1880 earthquake. He and his family would occupy this residence in Manila but, periodically, every five years, Valentin would journey to Spain. In 1909, Valentin unexpectedly died, leaving Dolores to manage the household and the family affairs. After Dolores’s own demise, the family eventually relocated to Spain by selling their interests there.

Presidential staff assistant Mr. Ronnie W. Balastigue touring media guests around the museum

The mansion was inherited by Concepción Teus, the eldest child, who rarely visited it, leaving an old man as caretaker. The once proud mansion deteriorated. The kitchen roof fell in and the attic became home to a bat colony. In 1974, Concepción opted to sell the mansion (none of her 7 children and 48 grandchildren were interested) to First Lady Imelda Marcos. In 1975, she engaged British interior designer Ronnie Laing and antique dealer Viring de Asis to renovate the Teus Mansion as a guest residence, becoming one of the Marcos mansions.

The former dining room was made into two bedrooms and partitions, in another bedroom, were taken down to create a spacious living-dining area. Bathrooms and closets were cleverly added, their entrances cleverly camouflaged behind aparador (cabinet) fronts. The original downstairs carriageway now serves as an entrance hall. The rest were transformed into 12 bedrooms which, with the existing five upstairs, gave the old home a total of 17 bedrooms. Notable guests at the Teus Mansion included the Italian-American socialite Cristina Ford, who was close associate of Imelda.

After the People Power Revolution of 1986, the Teus Mansion, and other properties within the Malacañang Palace complex, became possessions of the Government of the Philippines but was left unused and remained closed to the public.

On May 12, 2023, President Bongbong Marcos issued Executive Order No. 26 to conserve and protect cultural heritage sites around Malacañang Palace, including the Teus Mansion. That same year, the Teus Mansion underwent renovations, overseen by First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, to house collections from the Presidential Museum (formerly located in Kalayaan Hall). The supervision of these properties was transferred to the Social Secretary’s Office from the former Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for General Administration.

The rooms were transformed into galleries exhibiting artifacts, personal belongings, clothing, souvenirs, gifts, photographs, and memorabilia of Philippine Presidents, from Emilio Aguinaldo to Rodrigo Duterte. One or two rooms is devoted to each president,. Wall text and photographs sustain the main narrative. Memorabilia from government collections and loans or gifts from presidential families include medals and decorations, commemorative coins, and miscellanea like eyeglasses, a golf club, chess pieces, automobile license plates, a buntal hat and a cap, flyers from long-ago elections, souvenirs of EDSA I, and sculptures like one of President Ramos’ head puffing on a cigar.

Suits of Emilio Aguinaldo and Manuel L. Quezon

Barong tagalog of Jose P. Laurel and suit of Sergio Osmena

The Osmeña Room has a Philippine flag signifying that the Republic was then at war, with the red section above the blue. Barong Tagalog and/or suits of most of the presidents, on mannequins, provide an unintended history of Philippine men’s fashion. The main hall is lined with busts of presidents and there is also a gallery with portraits of First Ladies.

Suits of Manuel A. Roxas and Elpidio Quirino

Casual attire of Ramon Magsaysay and suit of Carlos P. Garcia

AUTHOR’S NOTES:

The two-storey façade, with Neo-Gothic windows (flanked by paired and single flat pilasters), on the upper floor, and quadrilateral windows, on the ground floor, features a protruding central section, topped by a triangular pediment (flanked by 8-petalled finials and topped by an acroterion), holding the porte cochere below. Below the windows are grilled ventanillas. The massive wrought iron gate of the mansion opens up to a stone courtyard with a circular fountain.

Grand piano at the main sala (living room)

The Osmena flag with the red section above the blue signifying that the country was at war.

Teus Mansion: Gen. Solano cor. J. Nepomuceno (formerly Tanduay) Sts., San Miguel, Manila. Tel: (02) 8249 8310 local 9009. Open Tuesdays to Sundays, 10 AM to 6 PM. Admission is free. E-mail: tours_mht@op.gov.ph. Website: www.teusmansion.gov.ph. Coordinates: 14°35′30″N 120°59′22″E.

National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA): NCCA Bldg., 633 General Luna St., Intramuros, Manila, 1002. Tel: (632) 8527-2192. E-mail: info@ncca.gov.ph. Website: www.ncca.gov.ph.

Bahay Ugnayan (City of Manila, Metro Manila)

Posted on 30 April, 2026 by Benjie Layug — Leave a reply

Third Part of NCCA Heritage Tour

The Spanish Colonial-period Bahay Ugnayan (Tagalog word for “connection” or “relationship”), formerly a compound for priests, was built around the 1800s though not much is known about it. Located meters away from the Teus Mansion, it was donated to the government, by the Madrigal family, shortly before World War II, making it one of the first, if not the first, of the mansions outside the Malacañang complex that came into government possession.

Check out “Teus Mansion“

For many years, it served as a government office, for various agencies under the Office of the President (such as the Presidential Complaint Center and the 8888 Citizens’ Complaint Center), until May 12, 2023, when President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. issued Executive Order No. 26 to conserve and protect cultural heritage sites around Malacañang Palace, including the Bahay Ugnayan, Teus Mansion and Goldenberg Mansion. That same year, the mansion underwent renovations, overseen by First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos.

Check out “Goldenberg Mansion“

Presidential Staff Assistant Mr. Ronnie W. Balastigue (upper left, facing camera) touring media guests around the museum

Bahay Ugnayan, reimagined as a dynamic museum, has been designated as a “changing” museum, which would showcase the life and accomplishments of the current president, in this case that of the “Road to Malacañang” exhibit of Pres. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.. which houses memorabilia from his childhood to his 2022 campaign.

Exhibit of photographs and the president’s childhood toys

Items in its carefully curated displays and artifacts include the red Ford F-150 pickup he frequently used during the campaign period; copies of the original documents submitted during his electoral protest against former Vice-President Leni Robredo after the 2016 elections (the Supreme Court junked Mr. Marcos’ electoral protest against Robredo in February 2021) and a piece of barbed wire tied with a yellow ribbon, a prominent symbol during the People Power Revolution that led to the ouster of the President’s father and namesake in 1986.

Exhibit of photographs of father and son and desk name signs

Whoever succeeds Marcos Jr as president in 2028 will be showcased in the Bahay Ugnayan venue by then, while the memorabilia of Marcos Jr. will be moved to the Teus Mansion. As it stands, the Bahay Ugnayan not only showcases the life of the current president but also serves as a political statement of sorts.

Apart from the campaign materials used during the elections, one can find the certifications about Marcos Jr.’s college education (a controversial topic that props up from time to time) as well as a section dedicated to his electoral protest which came about after his loss in the vice-presidential race in 2016.

Ford F-150 Pickup the president used during his 2022 campaign

Bahay Ugnayan: Jose P. Laurel Sr. St., (fronting Gate 2 of the Malacañang Palace), San Miguel, Manila, 1005. Open Tuesdays to Sundays, 10 AM to 4 PM. Admission is free. Website: www.bahayugnayan.gov.ph. For private guided tours, please email to arrange separately tours_mht@op.gov.ph.

National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA): NCCA Bldg., 633 General Luna St., Intramuros, Manila, 1002. Tel: (632) 8527-2192. E-mail: info@ncca.gov.ph. Website: www.ncca.gov.ph.

A: Museum – Immersive Art Universe (Paranaque City, Metro Manila)

Posted on 3 October, 2025 by Benjie Layug — 2 Comments ↓

The interactive and engaging, 5,000-square meter A: Museum – Immersive Art Universe, the Philippines’ largest digital art museum, is a popular destination for families, friends, and dates. It is a collaboration between the Philippine Amusement and Entertainment Corporation (PAEC), Ayala Malls, and South Korea’s APLAN Company. Established in 2021, PAEC, which curates and operates the museum, is regarded as the largest creator and operator of interactive and educational indoor attractions in the Philippines.

Beautiful and massive and designed to ignite curiosity and wonder, it features an immersive digital experience where Classical art comes to life through interactive installations and cutting-edge technology. The exhibits here are designed to be visually stunning and are popular for capturing highly Instagrammable photos and sharing experiences.

It also features immersive digital art installations including a ball pit and motion light and motion installations and digital versions and reproductions of classic art works of famous artists such as Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet, Wassily Kandinsky and Pablo Picasso, offering visitors a 2-hour, immersive experience where they have an active role in the experience, with interactive elements and a focus on creating memorable and photo-worthy moments.

Here, we explored, in a series of mesmerizing spaces that blur the lines between time, space, and imagination, and carefully curated to celebrate the fusion of art and technology, timeless masterpieces that transcend generations and cultures, engaging with art in a way that is both unique and profound. There are 12 immersive, multi-thematic digital art rooms. The moment we entered the dynamic and futuristic Teleport Gallery, a new world appeared as we are led through time and space, giving us a quick look at artistic movements, from ancient to contemporary, modern art, where past and present blend into a powerful experience of change.

At the fascinating Portal of Lights, we marveled at an interplay of light and music. Here, a laser shows syncs perfectly with the music, creating vibrant shapes. The ball pool, like a portal leading to another dimension, is filled with a red glow, casting a mystical aura—where reality melts away and the extraordinary appears.

At the magical Art Reflow, we directly engaged with digital installations. Here, paintings came alive with the touch of our single fingertip, with the masterpiece shifting fluidly, as if the paint is moving, constantly reshaping the artwork in a dynamic dance of creativity.

Infinite Blossoms, with light, color, and form coming together to create a dreamlike scene, was a magical experience where nature and art blend in perfect harmony. As the calming melody filled the air, elegance meets wonder as we were drawn into a world similar to Claude Monet’s Water Lilies (a series of about 250 Impressionist oil paintings of his water garden in Giverny, France, created during the last 31 years of his life), creating blooming masterpieces.

Color Sonata, an enchanting space where music and art come together in perfect harmony, we can play a piano to change or influence the colors and visuals of the digital artwork in real-time. When our fingers struck the piano keys, Russian painter Wassily Kandinsky’s paintings shifted before our eyes, with each chord and note breathing life into his work, crafting a magical, responsive experience where music and color merge seamlessly.

At the Cosmos Voyage section, we explored the infinite possibilities of art. Here, we envisioned ourselves stepping inside and passing through a black hole, where not even light can’t escape, leaving behind the limits of time and space, and opening the door to a whole new dimension of art, discovering the infinite artistic possibilities.

At the timeless beauty of Eternal Touches, a lasting expression of art, light and shadow merged as we explored timeless works that have survived through ages. From classic brushstrokes to the bold energy of modern artists, their influence reaches across time and cultures, emerging to create a powerful, quiet moment.

At Drive Your Dream, an imaginative realm where dreams transform into reality, is a highlight of the museum’s immersive digital art. Experience. Here, we unleashed our creativity on a blank digital canvas as we designed the car of our dreams. As soon as we pressed the scan button, our imaginative creation came to life on a large screen, becoming the heart of the captivating Village, thus creating lasting memories.

At the Floor Canvas, projection mapping is blended with motion sensing technology as our footsteps rippled across digital water, transforming the walkway into a responsive canvas. At Cubist Portrait, another digital art installation, our portraits were fragmented and reassembled in a Cubist style digital image with the ability to interact with the different elements within it.

At Stream of Heaven, an advanced form of interactive storytelling, we “walked” on clouds in a digital heaven. At the Stellar Chamber, we experienced the “weightless realm” though cutting-edge technology that creates multi-sensory experiences. Here, we entered a world of weightlessness where gravity disappears and the boundaries of time and space where blurred.

A: Museum was a mind-blowing, modern and interactive way to experience timeless classics, leaving us with unforgettable memories as we delved into an extraordinary world of artistic innovation. This immersive media art exhibit revolutionizes art by merging the past, present, and future with cutting-edge technology, showcasing various art forms reimagined through modern technology and the boundless creativity of artists. Truly, a one-of-a-kind artistic experience that combined visual works, music, and interactive moments. More than just a venue—it’s an artistic odyssey through emotions and beauty.

A: Museum – Immersive Art Universe: 3rd Floor, Building B, Ayala Mall Manila Bay, Diosdado Macapagal Ave. cor. Aseana Ave., Paranaque City. Mobile number: (0954) 987-4572. E-mail: amuseumeternaltouch@gmail.com. Open daily, 12 noon to 9 PM (last entry: 7 PM). Admission: Php899/pax.

MindSpark Museum (Paranaque City, Metro Manila)

Posted on 3 October, 2025 by Benjie Layug — Leave a reply

The 9,000 square meter, immersive Mindspark Museum, opened last August 12, 2025 (with Education Secretary Sonny Angara as main guest), is a fun facility much like “Disneyland,” but for science geeks. The country’s newest and largest interactive science exploratory museum, this “playground for the mind” was developed, curated and operated by the Philippine Amusement and Entertainment Corporation (PAEC).

Established in 2021, PAEC is regarded as the largest creator and operator of interactive and educational indoor attractions in the Philippines.

The museum, aiming to serve as an “extension” of classrooms and provide a “simulated environment” for learners of all levels, features 100 interactive, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics)-themed exhibits and 33 interactive science exploration-packed rooms and hands-on learning zones, for students out for some off-campus discoveries and adults with fond memories of frog dissections and other classroom experiments.

Perfect for all ages to launch into scientific discovery, every corner of the museum was designed to spark curiosity, creativity and discovery.

Here, we immersed ourselves, up close, in the life cycle of insects, and step and peeked inside a working hospital laboratory, with real-world science, to witness real lab experiments.

We also walked inside a giant model of a human heart, lungs and intestine (bringing biology lessons to life); got up close with the secrets of large-scale animal anatomy and animated insect life cycle displays, learned how electricity and AI (artificial intelligence)-powered robotics work (including a replica of Optimus, a creation of the Elon Musk company Tesla) through fun hands-on exhibits; and experienced amazing optical illusions that challenged our senses.

Other areas cover physics, chemistry, interactive bubble science experiments (where you can make and burst bubbles inside bubbles), the mysteries of outer space, fire safety, engineering design and gemology (where you can marvel, touch and examine real, shimmering gems, minerals and ancient stones).

They offer tour programs for schools and other organizations. Truly a unique blend of education and entertainment.

MindSpark Museum: 5th Floor, Building A, Ayala Mall Manila Bay, Diosdado Macapagal Ave. cor. Aseana Ave., Paranaque City. Mobile number: (0915) 009-1031. E-mail: mindsparkph@amusements,global.com. Open daily, 12 noon to 9 PM (last entry: 7 PM). Admission: Php899/pax.

City Museum of Cagayan de Oro and Heritage Studies Center (Misamis Oriental)

Posted on 6 February, 2025 by Benjie Layug — Leave a reply

City Museum of Cagayan de Oro and Heritage Studies Center

We still had time to kill as we made our way to Laguindingan Airport for our return flight to Manila, so Wyller Manus, our Bukidnon tour guide, suggested we make a stopover at Cagayan de Oro City to visit the 3-storey City Museum of Cagayan de Oro and Heritage Studies Center.

Museum facade

Here, we were welcomed and toured around the museum by Mr. Jesus Christopher “JC” F. Salon, acting curator of the museum.

Mr. Christopher F. Salon (third from left) discussing the Higaunon Bancaso (ritual table)

Located across the street from Gaston Park, this museum, a fine example of adaptive reuse, is housed in an old cylindrical water tower that sourced water, for 3,000 people, from Mahuganao Spring, Brgy. Cugman in Malasag Hills.

Exhibit on the indigenous people of Cagayan de Oro

Built from 1919 to 1922, it survived the September 1944 American bombing during World War II and is considered as the city’s oldest known surviving public structure.

Exhibit on Cagayan de Oro’s early history

In the late 1970s, the National Waterworks and Sewerage Authority (NAWASA) took over the water system and stopped using the tower and it was abandoned.

Exhibit on Spanish Period

Between 1994 to 2000, it was used as a temporary office of Barangay 1 and, in 2001, it was used as a makeshift darkroom by photographers from the Golden Friendship Photographers Association, Inc. (GoFPAI).

Spiral stairs leading to second floor

On December 1, 2008, then City Mayor Constantino Jarula had the tank renovated and turned into a city museum.

Exhibit on Cagayan de Oro during the American Period

The museum houses old photographs of the city’s significant events and personalities; fascinating exhibits that trace the city’s evolution, from its early indigenous roots to its contemporary developments; as well as a diverse collection of some archaeological finds.

Bamboo spikes used by guerillas to trap and maim enemy targets

Its well-curated displays provide insights into the indigenous cultures, colonial influences, and the vibrant community life that defines Cagayan de Oro. The floors are accessed via spiral staircases.

Rayadillo uniform and sword

A Philippine bolo and a Japanese sword

At the Ramon and Rosario Chavez Gallery, at the first floor, JC first showed us the Higaunon Bancas0 (ritual table), a very important cultural artifact of the indigenous Higaunon community.

Third floor gallery

The Filomeno M. Bautista Gallery, at the second floor, showcases the history of the city during the Philippine-American War (notably the battle around 1900) and World War II.

Third floor gallery

The third floor houses the museum’s newest exhibit (opened last November 21) which showcases the history and modernization of the city after World War II.

The motorela

A notable artifact here is the Parker 51 fountain pen used to sign Republic Act No. 521, the law that created the city.

An antique radio

City Museum of Cagayan de Oro and Heritage Studies Center: Gaston Park, Fernandez St., Brgy.1, 9000 Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental. Mobile number: (0915) 881-0719. E-mail: hccc.cdo@gmail.com. Open Tuesdays to Sundays, 8 AM to 5 PM.

This travel blog, a diary of the author’s local and international travels, aims to provide the reader with news and information on people, places and events that would interest the avid traveler and tourist. But, it also aims to be much more, providing insights on the wonders of this beautiful country, as well as the world, beyond the strict confines of the city. Have a BLAST seeing old churches, exotic temples, educational museums as well as palm-fringed islands; white sand beaches; thundering waterfalls; placid lakes; fiery sunsets; turquoise seas; cathedral-like caves; swirling rivers; majestic mountains; stupendous, amphitheater-like rice terraces; awesome volcanoes and the like. Get to know the movers and shakers in the tourism industry; find out where to titillate the palate; rejuvenate your body; feed your adrenalin, unwind and relax; satisfy your craving for history and culture; and find out what's being celebrated and where.

BENJAMIN “BENJIE” LAYUG, an architect by profession (he finished his B. S. Architecture degree from the University of the Philippines Diliman in 1982), is also a copy editor for two publishing houses; travel writer; blogger; architectural historian; author; concert. movie and musical reviewer (for www.pep.ph); and a motivational speaker.

As a free-lance travel writer, he has, in the past, contributed articles to Travel Update, Philippine Daily Inquirer, COLORS, TODAY, 7107 Islands Magazine, Business Day and Bluprint. He currently writes for Artplus Magazine and the Business Mirror.

He is also the author of the following travel books:

A Philippine Odyssey (New Day Publishers, 2005)
Pathfinder’s Travel Guide: Boracay (Great Books Trading, 2006)
A Tourist Guide to Notable Philippine Churches (New Day Publishers, 2007)
A Tourist to Notable Philippine Historical Landmarks, Monuments and Shrines (New Day Publishers, 2010)
A Tourist Guide to Notable Philippine Museums (New Day Publishers, 2012)

Some of his books now appear in the local library shelves of the National Library of the Philippines, De La Salle University, Ateneo de Manila University, University of Sto. Tomas, U.P. Diliman, Centro Escolar University, San Sebastian College, Miriam College, Silliman University, to name a few, as well as internationally at the National Library of Australia and the University of California Berkeley Library.

Now a senior citizen, he is probably one of the oldest, if not the oldest, active travel blogger in the country today. He also has a lifestyle blog called F.Y.I.:Firing Your Imagination (www.firingyourimagination.blogspot.com). Benjie has traveled to two-thirds (53) of the country’s 81 provinces and over 20 countries in 4 continents.