Cover Pamayanan Room - Bahay na Bato (Photo: Courtesy of Museo Pambata)
Pamayanan Room - Bahay na Bato (Photo: Courtesy of Museo Pambata)
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Debuting new spaces for learning and fun, Museo Pambata beckons kids of all ages and the young at heart
In the 30 years it has proudly stood in Manila, Museo Pambata has welcomed at least three generations of Filipino children—some of whom have since grown up and recently returned as adults, pleasantly surprised to rediscover a childlike wonder within its walls. At the preview for members of the press and the museum’s partners in its “rebirth”, it was a particularly moving and nostalgic experience to watch the place brimming with new life.
The country’s first children’s museum reopens to the public this December 2024 after a nearly five-year reimagining project. Diligent efforts were spearheaded by Museo Pambata president Bambi Mañosa-Tanjutco and vice president Sofia Zobel-Elizalde, building upon the vision of early child educator Nina Lim-Yuson, who founded this formidable institution with her mum, the late Estefania Aldaba-Lim, 30 years ago.
Keeping to the mission of shaping the hearts and minds of children, they have curated brand-new spaces and interactive programmes to foster curiosity, creativity, and a vital connection to our archipelagic culture. They have also anchored themselves to the theme “Isla Pambata (Children’s Island)”, which recognises the diversity of Filipino children and celebrates the bonds across our islands and seas. Every aspect of the renovation is infused with intention and story, sparking not just one’s imagination but an entire generation’s idealism, ambition, and progress.
Above Museo Pambata vice president Sofia Zobel-Elizalde, founder Nina Lim-Yuson, and president Bambi Mañosa-Tanjutco (Photo: Courtesy of Museo Pambata)
Museo Pambata vice president Sofia Zobel-Elizalde, founder Nina Lim-Yuson, and president Bambi Mañosa-Tanjutco (Photo: Courtesy of Museo Pambata)
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In the main building, the Kalikasan and Karagatan rooms establish a deeper connection and appreciation for nature. Kalikasan has been updated with a bahay kubo installation by National Artist Kidlat Tahimik, while Karagatan artfully alludes to the waste and climate crisis affecting our seas today. The Pamayanan room, which features our national heroes, is set to be updated with more women on its displays.
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Outdoors, the renovated playground known as Bahay Pukyutan is livelier and more vibrant, with the likewise updated Tutubing Bakal situated steps away as a symbol of peace. Still in the works, this Bakuran area will soon have a wide, open garden for visitors to play and run around.
In the Kalikasan Room (Photo: Courtesy of Museo Pambata)
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More spaces are expected to be ready by early 2025, including the whole of the second floor, an Arts & Crafts area envisioned by the late Robert Alejandro, the Rights of a Child exhibit in the Karapatan Hall, and the Classroom of the Future pop-up in collaboration with Khan Academy and Samsung, designed by JJ Acuña.
Designed by Mañosa-Tanjutco’s brother, Gelo Mañosa, Bahay Kubo 2.0 is one of the significant new additions since the pandemic. Translating the traditional stilt home into the modern, urban context, it is an intimate venue for events. In the true spirit of bayanihan, most if not all the furniture within this space was generously donated.
Above Bahay Kubo 2.0, designed by Gelo Mañosa with the Makati Development Corporation (Photo: Courtesy of Museo Pambata)
Bahay Kubo 2.0, designed by Gelo Mañosa with the Makati Development Corporation (Photo: Courtesy of Museo Pambata)
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“Our hope for Museo Pambata is to be an intergenerational cultural playground—where we now bring in the youth to champion forward what we all needed when we were younger, adults who listened to us as kids,” says Mañosa-Tanjutco. “It’s where we want Filipinos of all ages to believe in the power of our culture and collectively dream of this future, today.” With this, she emphasises the need to “co-create” with whose future it truly is.
Thus, fundamental to their reimagined spaces are the artworks of kids and students from different schools, who are invited to leave their legacies in the museum—for what they call their new Sikat Sining programme.
Along with this, a series of dynamic exhibits and events are set to happen in the coming months. Dulaan Pambata will feature various theatre groups in living dioramas, while children from all over can join in to march the Parada Pambata taking place on January 25. Finally, the upcoming Pelikula Pambata on February 21-22, 2025 is a film festival for young filmmakers to showcase their talent, paving the way forward for the future of Filipino cinema.
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Above The entrance to Museo Pambata
The entrance to Museo Pambata
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Above Nina Lim-Yuson, Bambi Mañosa-Tanjutco, and Sofia Zobel Elizalde (far-right) with representatives of Museo Pambata’s major sponsors and partners: Makati Development Corporation Commercial Group Head Henry Realon, Globe VP Head of Marketing Communications Crisela Magpayo-Cervantes, Jollibee Foods Corporation Brand Manager for Kids Category Kathlene Facun, and HSBC Country Head of Wholesale Banking Mimi Concha
Nina Lim-Yuson, Bambi Mañosa-Tanjutco, and Sofia Zobel Elizalde (far-right) with representatives of Museo Pambata’s major sponsors and partners: Makati Development Corporation Commercial Group Head Henry Realon, Globe VP Head of Marketing Communications Crisela Magpayo-Cervantes, Jollibee Foods Corporation Brand Manager for Kids Category Kathlene Facun, and HSBC Country Head of Wholesale Banking Mimi Concha
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Mañosa-Tanjutco adds, “Museums globally are changing, decolonising, and reimagining into more complex cultural playgrounds, and Museo Pambata aims to be at the forefront of this change with Balay Yatu: Asia’s first youth-curated creative space and cultural centre.”
An annexe to the main building, the recently opened Balay Yatu is a distinctly contemporary gallery adorned with colourful glass windows and solihiya-inspired detailing, designed to serve as a space for children’s events, celebrations, workshops, and creative activities. It is a project that heavily involved Mañosa-Tanjutco’s daughter, Tasha Tanjutco, and her peers in the youth-led organisation she co-founded, Kids for Kids PH; and it is an initiative they wish to bring to different parts of the Philippines in the future.
Above Balay Yatu (Photo: Courtesy of Museo Pambata)
Balay Yatu (Photo: Courtesy of Museo Pambata)
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Acknowledging the generous support of sponsors and fellow board members, Zobel-Elizalde underscores how they have worked hard as “bayanihan community” to reinvigorate the museum for next generations. She shares, “We can’t wait to invite all children back to enjoy this iconic museum that has given so much joy to past generations and that will continue for many years to come!”
Meanwhile, Mañosa-Tanjutco highlights the passion behind their shared vision. She says, “We are creating a feedback loop of energy into the museum so that every person that comes in and out of the space brings with her the spirit of the Filipino and the values we uniquely share with the world.”
Discover more on museopambata.com.ph and get the latest news when you follow @museopambata on Instagram and Facebook.
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Trained as a student journalist, Mac’s knack for writing was a serendipitous discovery. Years later and she can’t imagine doing anything else. When she isn’t typing away on a story, she revels in being lost in a new city, revisiting a cosy film or sitcom, and idling away with her dogs.
