BenCab Museum, Baguio City

BenCab Museum turned out to be a fine art refuge one rainy afternoon we were vacationing in Baguio City. Many tourists were visiting the museum that day, famous undeniably for the name it carries. Named after celebrated national artist Ben Cabrera, this art gallery provides a friendly maze for exploring not only the artworks of BenCab, but also of other artists, both the well-known and those still establishing a name.

BenCab Museum’s spacious four-story art gallery is a feast to the eyes, especially to art enthusiasts brave enough to experience visual representations ranging from the simple and lively to the sad and disturbed, all products of the artists’ minds.

A key ingredient in the museum is the infusion of Cordillera-inspired artworks that kind of preserve the rich cultural past of the Mountain Province. A wall of some 2 or 3 stories high, for instance, is duly dedicated to feature the stone idols of the mountains. A small section of the museum is restricted to adults as it features erotica paintings and sculptures.

BenCab Museum not only impresses with its exhibition of paintings and sculptures, but also with its architecture. Built on a promontory, BenCab Museum is a four-level building that amicably conforms to the mountainous slope. At the very bottom are Cafe Sabel and a beautifully landscaped farm garden, perfect for relaxation after the art exploration.

BenCab Museum's farm garden in the rain

Entrance fee to the museum is currently 100 pesos per person. Cameras are allowed, but for courtesy, do turn the flash off. That is very distractive to people viewing.

How to go to BenCab Museum

BenCab Museum is a modern building sitting in the midst of a predominantly rural community. Commuters coming from Baguio City proper can go to the art gallery by hopping a public jeepney that goes to Asin Road. That same jeepney takes passengers to Asin’s hot spring resort, but BenCab Museum is at Km. 6, way before the Asin resort.

The gallery should be very easy to find. When we went there, there were many signs along Asin Road to point to the museum. The building itself stands out from the rest of the neighboring buildings, which are mostly residential buildings.

Tags: Art Galleries and Museums, Arts, Baguio City, Baguio tourist spots, BenCab Museum