Recently, the National Museum of Natural History opened with a bang! Opening their doors, cases and glass cabinets to everyone with items that are extremely rare and can only be found here - absolutely for FREE. The National Museum staff and researchers exerted their effort to preserve and keep these items for the next generation. It is my and your wealth! So, what are you waiting for? Tara na!
The first gallery we visited focuses on the world-class beauty that the Philippines has; this includes the Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary in Davao, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park and Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, both in Palawan - these spots are part of the UNESCO World Heritage sites - definitely a pride of the Philippines!
The exhibit includes paintings, taxidermied remains of a deer, Spot-billed Pelican, Philippine Eagle and other birds; underwater creatures, such as different types of fish, crabs, green turtles, star fish, corals, fossilized bones, dried leaves and many others. All of these are placed inside the enclosures to protect them from the weather and makulit na kamay.
Among those displayed items, the prominent and the center of attraction is the taxidermied remains of "Lolong". "Lolong" is a male Indo-Pacific or Saltwater Crocodile was captured in the wetlands of Agusan marsh by Ernesto "Lolong" Canete, a veteran crocodile hunter, on September 3, 2011. This giant crocodile measures 20 feet and 3 inches in length and 1,075 kg in weight - recorded by the Guinnes Book of World Records as the World's largest crocodile in captivity.
Another interesting and must-seen subject is a tooth and bones of a Rhinoceros Philippinensis (photo above). These were scientifically dated to 709,000 years ago, establishing the age of the animal and the early humans that hunted and consumed it. - details by the National Museum of Natural History.
A total of 13 bones from the approximately 75% complete skeleton that was excavated in Situ in Rizal, Kalinga province, displayed cust marks and percussion marks. These were analyzed and presented in the article "Earliest known hominin activity in the Philipines by 709,000 years ago", by Thomas Ingicco et all., published online in the international journal Nature on May 2, 2018 (www.nature.com/nature) - details by the National Museum of Natural History.
What's new inside the National Museum of Natural History is the Tree of Life inspired column in the middle; totally different from the other buildings of the National Museum. The interior of the building has artistic details; the curves, the lines and its colors are perfectly made. Look at the lines of the glass window and the rails, the curves of the beams and the walls - they are an Instagram perfect spot.
It took us more than two hours to completely visit all the galleries on the first, second and third floor. Then, rested in the wide space in the middle of the building. While sitting, I noticed that the area became more dramatic and artistic if the lights were turned on.
The National Museum of Natural History is still under renovation. I even saw the gigantic Sperm Whale skeleton, however, it is still working in progress. I can't hide my excitement to have the whole building opened, with more rare items on exhibit. Our museum hunting ends here, after seeing rare collections, we walked on the streets by the Rizal Park. Many other stunning and rare items inside the National Museum of the Filipino People and National Museum of Arts.