Museums in the Philippines can accept guests under Level 2 Quarantine (Photo: Ian Dooley)
Cover Museums in the Philippines can accept guests under Level 2 Quarantine (Photo: Ian Dooley)

Prepping up for a date? Here's a trick that has worked well for ages: take your lovely companion to a local museum

Dating in museums has its pros: first, the mere thought of taking your special someone to a place brimming with diverse ideas and outputs boosts romantic excitement; and second, you can finally say the good old cliché "in a room full of art, I'd still stare at you."

Museums have always been upheld as places created in the public interest; these hubs foster knowledge, culture, and natural heritage. But there are more things that they can offer to a person's well-being.

One study suggests that museums contribute to health issues in five major ways: promoting relaxation; producing an immediate beneficial change in physiology, emotion, or both; encouraging introspection; health education; and advocacy for public health by enhancing the healthcare environment.

See also: Virtual Museum Tour: National Museum of the Philippines Makes Art Accessible Online

Tatler Asia
Going to museums is beneficial to meantal health (Photo:  Liza Rusalskaya/Unsplash)
Above Going to museums is beneficial to meantal health (Photo: Liza Rusalskaya/Unsplash)

Museums are great for first dates because there will be no shortage of things to talk about. In this write-up, Tatler gathers some of the most picturesque art galleries in the Philippines.

1. Pinto Art Museum

You may have seen a bunch of Pinto Art Museum photos from your family or friends' Instagram accounts; the place, after all, boasts a wide selection of thought-provoking art and picturesque galleries.

For a first date, the Pinto Art is not such a bad choice! most people who have not been here have no idea how big the area is. You and your special someone can absolutely spend hours consuming art and taking pictures of inspiring art installations. 

Tatler Tip: Wandering around the area can be exhausting, good thing there's a cafe in the middle of the museum. Besides coffee, the place serves pizza, fresh fruit shakes, and more.

2. Artinformal, Makati

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Photo 1 of 3 Guests wander the galleries of Artinformal, Makati
Photo 2 of 3 Guests wander the galleries of Artinformal, Makati
Photo 3 of 3 A gallery in Artinformal, Makati

Conceived in 2004, the Artinformal gallery seeks to build a stronger bridge between the Filipino community and contemporary art. As of this post, the gallery boasts two branches–one in Greenhills, San Juan, and the other at The Alley at Karrivin Plaza, Makati.

From solo to group art exhibitions, you and your partner's eyes will fawn over their array of painting, sculpture, and pottery.

Read also: The State Of The Philippine Art Scene During The Covid-19 Pandemic

3. National Museum of Natural History, Manila

Tatler Asia
The National Museum of Natural History stands tall in Manila City (Photo: Jove Moya)
Above The National Museum of Natural History stands tall in Manila City (Photo: Jove Moya)

When the National Museum of Natural History (Pambansang Museo ng Likas na Kasaysayan) opened its doors to the public in 2018, many Filipinos thronged the place and to witness its fascinating interiors and collection.

Couples will surely enjoy viewing all the museum's specimens of plants, animals, fossils, minerals, rocks, meteorites, and human cultural artefacts (made objects). Here, they can also see the remains of "Lolong", which was once hailed as the biggest crocodile in captivity.

Tatler Trivia: Lolong was the biggest saltwater crocodile in captivity until his death on February 10, 2013. He was 6.17 metres long and weighed 1,075 kilograms. Many animal rights group protested against his capture.

Related: 7 Birds You Can Only See In The Philippines: Eagle, Cockatoo, And More

4. The Mind Museum, Taguig

If you and your special date are in the crucial "getting-to-know" stage, consider going to The Mind Museum in Taguig to ease all the tension. The art hub features 250 interactive science exhibits. The galleries boast all things related to nature, each with a different theme: atom, life, earth, universe, and technology. 

5. Art In Island, Cubao

Immerse yourselves with the 3D paintings in Art In Island, Cubao. The gallery offers more than 100 floor-to-wall interactive 3D paintings that are designed to give guests optical illusions. 


In Metro Manila where alert level is already eased to two, tourist attractions including libraries, parks, and museums allow 50 per cent capacity for indoor viewing. Always wear your face masks and disinfect your hands regularly to avoid contracting COVID-19.

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