The museum has four levels of exhibits.  The entrance fee for resident is around 275php and for visitors about 475php.  I was able to have a tour guide for an additional 100php.  What a deal this turned out to be, as my guide Charles, is extremely informed about all aspects of the exhibits.  As an added bonus, it was a private guided tour, there were no other visitors with us!

The tour lasted 2 1/2 hours, and the time flew by as all the exhibits were beautiful and interesting.

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We started on the 4th level at the Gold of Ancestors Pre-colonial Treasures In the Philppines exhibit.  The exhibit has 1,059 dating back as far as the 10th century. Most were acquired by a private collector, and have never been seen in public. Among the pieces on display are cutwork diadems (like crowns), funerary masks, ornaments and ritual containers.  There is one piece that is almost 4 kilos in weight.  The displays are beautiful.  Each one has a drawer below it that you slide out for even more pieces to look at.  On top of the drawer is a magnifying glass you can move around and study the intricate details of the gold works.

Embroidered Mulitples 18th to 19th Century Philippine Costumes is another fun exhibit.  I found it very educational regarding the local material used in the making of the clothes.  The stitching and detail on the pieces on display are amazing.

A Millennium of Contact: Chinese and Southeast Asian Trade Ceramics in the Philippines Collection of over 500 pieces of ceramics from China and other places in Asia collected by  the Villanueva famly.

For art fans, the collection of Fernando Amorsolo’s works of the Pilipina (Women of the Philippines) is a sure winner.  Juan Luna and Fernando Zobel works are also included in the Pioneers of Philippine Art exhibit.

All in all, the Ayala Museum is a great way to spend a few hours to see some of the treasures of the Philippines and learn more about the rich history of the archipelago.

Related Links:
Newsweek – Going For The Gold
Ayala Museum