Description of the attraction
The Santo Tomás University Museum of Arts and Science is the oldest operating museum in the Philippines. It was founded in the 17th century as a repository of the university's mineralogical, botanical and biological collections. In accordance with the old Spanish education law, the collections were used as teaching materials in teaching courses in medicine and pharmacy.
In 1871, Ramon Martinez, a member of the Dominican order and professor of natural history, founded the University Museum of Arts and Science - and he is considered its creator. However, in all fairness, it should be noted that the Dominican monk Casto de Helera began to systematically replenish the collections back in 1682, he was also the first compiler of the museum catalog.
Today, this oldest Philippine museum is a repository of scientific and artistic treasures, including works of art. Since 1941, the museum administration has been acquiring works by Filipino artists such as Fernando and Pablo Amorsolo, Carlos Francisco, Vicente Manansala and Galo Ocampo - the painting collection contains works by masters of the 17-20th centuries. A number of permanent expositions of the museum are devoted to natural history, ethnography, religious art of the Filipinos, and objects of oriental art. It also houses an impressive collection of coins, medals and memorabilia.
The museum building also houses a gallery, a gift shop, a small library and a laboratory. Various art exhibitions are regularly held here.
