Pinto Art Museum is one of the hidden gems in the province of Rizal. On top of the hills of Antipolo lies a stunning place of art made with such obviously impressive visuals. An estimated one hour drive when you came from the heart of Manila, so close isn’t it? But yet it feels a world away. I can’t stop saying how beautiful this place was. Once you step inside the museum, you will be transported to another place. Seriously, I almost forgotten that I was in Antipolo. The place was huge and very aesthetic. Everything was artfully conceptualized and well executed. The pieces on display were stunningly beautiful that it tempted me to touch them but I realized it was too precious for me, plus I’m sure it costs tons of fortune. The Mediterranean and Greek vibes elevates the experience of the art appreciation. The ambience of the place, the architectural design and everything was so inspiring. The open air villas and green well-manicured garden with four poster beddings outside were very unique, it was my first time to see beds outdoor with just white crisp sheets (they aren’t afraid it might get dirty) and this sent relaxing feeling that is very amusing. A whole day of exploring this almost 1.3 –hectare museum isn’t enough, swear, if you were on my shoes, you would also want to live there, for sure. I hope this writings of mine will send signal for you to come and visit the place, I am 100 percent sure you will be amazed. There are so much for you to discover in Pinto but for now, let your imagination be with me.
This art haven is located inside the Grand Heights Subdivision, a quiet hillside subdivision in Antipolo. You can even take peek of the Ortigas skyline while on the road. Pinto Art Museum is perfectly assembled. Inside you will find a museum shop, six modern and contemporary art galleries, gardens, roof decks, a chapel, restaurant and café, a theater, an audio-visual room, a library and Academy (The Pinto Art Academy for Arts and Sciences for healing and wholeness), and a pool shaping a number 8. The place is such a welcoming art for appreciation. I fell in love with the place but I realized I was not the one who fell in love first. Everyone who visited Pinto fell in love with its beauty since the opening of the place way back in 2000’s.
The owner of this astonishing place is a Neurologist Dr. Joven Cuanang, who is deeply rooted for the love of arts and culture. This museum is a project of Silangan Foundation of Arts, Culture and Ecology – a non-profit organization dedicated on promoting arts and culture. Way back 70s, Dr. Cuanang acquired a lot inside the subdivision and poured his personal wealth on the success opening of the place to perform a civic duty for art appreciation for everyone. He also promoted education for arts and culture.
Pinto means door in Filipino, and the museum aims to be the gateway for modern and contemporary art. You can now finally concluded why it was named Pinto Art Museum. When you are inside the premises it feels like a lot of doors are opening for you to explore, experience and appreciate different kind of art.
Let us take a tour inside. Before entering this beautiful place, you will be first greeted by the friendly workers and museum’s rules and policies beside the information desk. Just be reminded to read it, I know you already want to just get in, but it is more fun if you know the things you should and shouldn’t do, right? The museum prohibits bringing of pet and food. Also, video taking and flash photography are prohibited. And for the ticket prices, it ranges from 100-200 pesos. For students with valid Identification Card, it will only cost 100 pesos. In our case we lost our ID but we presented our registration forms and it was accepted. For senior citizens and PWD (Person with Disabilities) it will cost 180. And 200 for adults and regular guests. If you have kids with you ages 3 years old and below; good news, they are free.
The museum shop beside the information desk does not only sell common souvenirs like shirts, mugs, key chains, pouches and so on. They also sells pretty denim jackets with hand painted designs, drawstring bags, weaved scarves, stunning pieces of paintings, and other indigenous artworks made by the local artists. The products the museum sells shout that we should buy and support local.
Walking inside the museum premises is a visual treat. The vintage doorways, stairs, windows and quirky art pieces conceptualized around every corner you turn was something very interesting. In addition, a place inside that I will never forget was their wash rooms. They were definitely a stunning place when you got to enter and use it. I will be honest here, I have entered all of them inside the premises just to see if all of them was nicely maintained. The nice thing about their wash rooms was that they are not just your typical area. Who would have thought there were also hanged paintings and artworks inside. It looked like an exhibit room, no joke except for the toilet bowls. The fresh and dried flowers and even scented candles smelled absolutely good for a comfort room. There were also small soaps being carved into abstract designs. It was so clean and relaxing. I could even sleep in there.
Let us now enter their six modern and contemporary art galleries. Get ready to embark with different artworks and to be amazed because everything here were such a picture sight. This place was not just a haven for art lovers but also for any photo enthusiasts as well. There were countless of photographic opportunities waiting to satisfy not just your naked eyes but also your camera lenses. Even if you just brought a cellphone-camera, this place would not mind. Every corners were not just personally pretty but also a photogenic place for keeps. Be sure your OOTDs (Outfit of the Day) are ready, just in case.
THE GALLERIES
Gallery 1 is the first stop out of the six galleries. This room was simply devoted to traditional art paintings and were basically made of oil canvas. When you got to enter this place, the center painting was definitely one of the eye catchers. It was entitled “Saling Pusa KARNABAL” and was made by various artists in 1992 with the specs of 144x480; a huge one. Personally, this painting was one of my favorites in the gallery. It looked like an abstract work at first glance but it was an artistically interpretative art life in the carnival. Every painting here was preciously painted but this one’s I can’t forget. If you are going to ask me what are the artworks inside the first gallery, I will state this first. On the other hand, on the left side of the place, we can find a long connecting painting named CONFLUENCE by Neil Manalo in 1999, it was made of acrylic on canvas specting 96x384, also a big one. All in, the first gallery has the art for cultural idyllic scenes for the Filipinos.
Gallery 2 is more experimental mixed of artwork pieces. Some installations here are somewhat similar to those being displayed in BenCab museum in Baguio, according to some I heard chattering about. The black Volkswagen car in the low center was an eye catcher. The room, also contains paintings around and most of them are made by Elmer Borlongan. I have three favorite artworks here, the two were paintings. The first one was entitled THE SERVICE by sir Borlongan. I can reminisce the feeling of me being in the province because of it. The painting is where there are a lot of students riding a tricycle being drove by an old man (he reminds me of the old man we called Tatay Rudy, who drove us everyday). That scene was actually a real one for me, some of the kids rode on the top of the trike and others were just simply everywhere inside or outside the vehicle just to get home. The second painting I felt stucked on, was entitled “Maalaala Mo Kaya” it has a painted picture of two lovers on their wedding, and it looks so vintage, like the old brown or sepia pictures way back then. What captured my eyes where the wife who holds a heart, probably the heart of his lover, his husband. It was just so simply beautiful. True and pure love will be forever remember. Lastly, an epoxy resin and stone artwork by Salvador Alonday named “Womb” is also one of my favorite. Actually, this little artwork is a bit creep because the fetus inside the jar looks like a tiyanak (a devil creature in a form of baby found in the Philippine island, I just don’t know if it was real). But in all seriousness, this artwork tells everyone that a life being formed inside the mother’s womb is precious. It was a gift from god and should be love an appreciated in all forms.
Gallery 3 – is where you can find interesting simple wire materials being turned into artworks, and it was just amazing. This gallery serves a minimalistic type of arts. How is it possible to turn different thickness and sizes of wires into aesthetically artworks. Hands up to the creative artists, you guys did a great job. And of course, the tradition goes on, in this third gallery, my personally favorite artwork was the “Oblivious” by Stephanie Lopez. I’m guessing it was one of the popular artwork in the museum, just by looking at it, it so alluringly beautiful that a lot was taking a picture of it, I tagged myself. This artwork was so impressive. It was made of steel wires sculpture depicting a man and a woman. The artwork sends message to me that the two were in a relationship and the man is stating his love to the woman, and he let her touch his chest to feel his heart beating the love for her, how prepossessing.
Galleries 4 and 5 are somehow connected. These galleries contains modern and abstract paintings and artworks. Also a mixed of media artworks. An actual things from the past, a certain thing being used or owned by an artist back then is being displayed, some are furniture. Similar to gallery 2’s Volkswagen black car, the gallery also displays a red Ducati with a wire sculpture forming a man riding the bike. The Ducati was owned by Alex Lietz and the sculptured wire was made by Alab Pagarigan in 2015. Also there was a piece above hanging, that I guessed was made of spray paint saying “WE ARE THE KIDS YOUR PARENTS WARNED YOU ABOUT” is an eye catcher to the crowd. It catches attention maybe because a lot can relate to the message, especially the millennials. It suits its place, it was near the Ducati. Together the artworks were pretty cool. In between huge paintings is an artwork with a “Roulette” on by Leonard Aguinaldo, actually this artwork was untitled. But it was also one of the eye catching art in the gallery. This roulette-art is composed of different traits of the Filipinos, the good and the bad ones. In honesty, this is the only artwork I had dared to touch. I did spin it to find out what my trait was and I was surprised that it stops in Matiyaga (patient in English). The roulette says, “Ikaw ay Matiyaga”, I laughed a bit because seriously I wasn’t that much, but maybe I should really start to be. In fun, I spin the roulette over and over again to find out what my friend’s traits were, the answer were so funny like “Mabaho,Malandi,Malihim,Masipag” and so on, I will not going to drop their names in accordance.
Gallery 6 – The last stop. In the gallery hallway you can find three rooms. The first one was the room being prohibited and not suitable for children under ages. The room contains sexually artworks from paintings to art pieces. The display was not a “bastos” type displays because if you will just going to criticize and understand what they sends of through the artworks, they were just contemplating that everything was art and made of art, even the private ones being shared by couples are work of art, and should be respected seriously. The next room displays the work of Raffy Napay in 2013. There are two big artworks inside made of thread and burlap, I actually thought it was hand painted but as I looked closely it was hand weaved instead. In the left side, you can see the artwork named “LOVE 1”, a two birds on it. And on the right side was the “LOVE 2”, designing 2 eggs on it. I was thinking that the two birds were in love with each other and the result was their youngster or eggs. They are entitled Love because everything was made out of love. And also in the center of the room is a tree mixed artwork created by Geraldine Javier. The artwork was made of twigs and fossilized leaves. This room actually stinks, probably because of the materials used for the art pieces. The last room entering the main paintings in the gallery was the room entitled “USAPANG BABAE” by Stephanie Lopez the artist of the previous artwork “Oblivious” in gallery 3. Surprisingly the room has an audio visualization on. But actually, the sounds are small or more on hushing voices of talking women. Sitting inside the room are also artwork pieces made of epoxy or textile. Most of them are depicts woman having a sort of conversation to each other. The USAPANG BABAE installation according to the artist is all about the hushed conversations of women engaging in as they pour forth their anxieties, concerns, joys, and several thousand strands of affections and disaffection. Thus, the installation of this room presented us an occluded world of truths barely acknowledged but not entirely without presence.
After the three themed room in the gallery 6, let us enter the main part of it. Similar to the previous galleries, this last gallery was also full of paintings, a lot of paintings. From the smallest one to the biggest. The paintings were mixed randomly. The gallery is a second storey exhibit with two rooms in the both sides. The center was just an open space hanging paintings from the ceiling. In the left side of above is a room containing vintage sala furniture, a dresser with mirror on is also containing a vintage design on it. But the only thing that doesn’t complements was the LCD flat screen TV, in all seriousness it doesn’t suits the vintage aura of the room. In the right side above room is a room containing random pieces of art, what catches my attention was the three spinning brain design chairs, shading two white ones and a red one inside. In front of it was a painting a twin girl. I have noticed that every galleries have a twin paintings or artworks on it, I wonder why. But then, the paintings and artworks in every galleries were captivating beautiful, words aren’t enough.
When you finish the 6 galleries, there were closure part, or the last part. The room was named “THE FOREST” by Antonio Cantral Leano. A separate room between galleries 5 and 6. This art installation was completed in 2012. The forest features light, shadows, reflections, noises and even smells. What you can see inside are ponds and bamboo replicas. There is an eerie darkness inside that creeps. In addition of the water dripping and birds chirping.
Pinto art museum is not just an appreciation for art but for the nature as also. I love how the museum manage to make the artworks and every structures to contemplate the environment. Pinto is very unique, every room here is an open villa or space, keeping every little thing the natural way, not just like the other common museum who is preserving artworks in a fully air-conditioned rooms. It was just relaxing and refreshing to stroll every galleries inside. I even find myself standing for a couple of minutes watching and appreciating how beautiful the place and pieces together. An appreciation for this museum that allows the guests take pictures everywhere in this place was great.
After roaming inside the 6 modern and contemporary galleries, I’m pretty sure you are hungry but not for art because you have so much for your eyes and soul. This time let us find out where to eat.
WHERE TO EAT
Pinto Art Museum not only offers a wide range of art pieces but also a good food for the tummy. There are two areas to eat inside the premises, the Pinto Café in the garden area and Café Tan-aw by Peppermill with a roof deck above. Both are operated by Peppermill Restaurant and Mixology Bar. The café restaurant serve a wide range of different dishes to choose from, including soup, pasta, salad, pizza, sandwiches to the main courses and desserts. The café restaurants operates from 10 am to 6 pm.
After eating and relaxing with the good food being served. You should take a walk on their green well-manicured garden. The outdoor was so refreshing too. There were also some artworks outside. Like the steel-made Mother Nature artwork standing in a glass table near the Café restaurant. This Mother Nature artwork was a pregnant one. And inside her tummy, you can see three fetus. As you continue to walk, you can see a meditation garden dedicated to the love of Jose Rizal and Leonor Rivera. The unrequited love for the both because they were blood related, cousins to be exact. In the meditation garden you can find an old dresser with letters on, symbolizes Taimis (Leonor Rivera’s codename when writing to Jose Rizal) love for Rizal through the use of pen and paper. Beside the garden you can see the a small chapel containing colored glass windows.
There were also a lot of benches outside if you mind to just feel the fresh air outdoor. A lot of four poster beddings covered with white sheets are scattered around. There were roof decks that lets you see the Metro and Ortigas skyline above. A pool in the green garden can be found too. This pool shaped like a number 8. I just probably think this pool isn’t for the public. The place also have birds on cages, a parrot one near the pool side and 5 love birds near the information desk.
Inside the premises you can also find an Academy. Yes, The Pinto Art Academy; Arts and Sciences for Healing in Wholeness by El Refugio Foundation and was built on February 14, 2016. The foundation built this academy for the purpose of promoting Arts and Sciences in conversation across disciplines, to create, to innovate and pursue activities that celebrates this thought that advances through the research of furtherance, for the benefit and enhancement of the society. The academy provides the space for introspection, discussion, contemplation, appreciation and conversation that will facilitate a better understanding of the interlocking and contemplating roles of the Arts and Sciences in fostering human health and wholeness. Inside the academy is a library, a function room, an indoor theater, as well as an amphitheater, open decks and gardens. Also a selected paintings, artworks and sculptures can be found inside. You can also find a wishing well here, I even dropped a coin and wished to pass this semester. Wishing well are somehow doesn’t really grant a wish but it was up to you to believe and with your faith on.
Pinto Art Museum is a definite must see tourist spot not too far from the metro. This is also a must recommended place for your balikbayan friends and family who have a limited time to stroll around Manila. This place was beyond beautiful. One of the amazing and breathtaking museum I have ever been to. I even seriously wanted to live there.. The relaxing vibe soothes every nerve of your body as you let the place drown you its calming state. Pinto is where you can forget your problems for the mean time. I hope you will find your way to visit this place, swear, you will love it, as much as I.
Pinto Art Museum also offers prenuptial photo shoots and for other occasions. The rates are on the following list:
- 7,500 for upper and lower garden (outdoor only).
- 15,000 for upper and lower garden. Indigenous art museum and the new museum wing (outdoor only).
- Inclusive of 5 hours photo shoot from 9am to 2pm (in excess, 750 per hour) or 1pm to 6pm.
- Additional of 500 for 5 hours.
- In excess 100 per hour
For inquires, regarding to prenuptial shoots, other occasion and private events, please call 6971015 or look for Ms. Jenny Villanueva.
Address and Contact Information:
Pinto Art Museum is located at 1 Sierra Madre St. Grand Heights Subdivision, Antipolo City, Rizal, Philippines. Pinto Art Museum is closed on Mondays and is open on Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
How to get to Pinto Art Museum:
By public transportation:
From Cavite (Trece Martires, Dasmarinas, Tanza):
1. Ride a van or bus bound to Lawton.
2. Take a jeepney from Lawton to Cubao Espanya and get off at the Farmers Market. In there you can find terminal going to Antipolo.
3. From the terminal ride a jeepney or FX bound to Antipolo.
4. Get off the Antipolo terminal and ride tricycle. Ask the driver to drop you at Grand Heights Subdivison where the Museum is located (some drivers are not familiar with Pinto Art Museum)
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