Where Nature Meets Art: BenCab Museum

Benjamin Cabrera, more famously known as “BenCab” is a Philippine National Artist who is “arguably the best-selling painter in his generation of Filipino artists. Although his works are often seen in museums all around Manila, he is best known for his beautiful museum/home/workshop/mini farm located in Tuba, Benguet, which lies about 30 minutes away from the Philippines’ “Summer Capital”/”City of Pines”, Baguio City.

The BenCab Museum, a four-level building located amidst the greenery of Benguet, houses Benjamin Cabrera’s art collection. The artist’s collection includes his own works, contemporary paintings of Filipino artists, cultural artifacts found in the Northern Philippines (the Cordilleras), and locally-made woodworks. The building in itself is an architectural artwork, a factor which makes it extra special for tourists and locals alike.

The modern structure, with its white walls, wide spaces and huge glass windows, is the perfect home for the artworks as it allows for the works to be the focal point once guests enter the museum. Several galleries can be found inside the museum, including Cordillera Gallery, Print Gallery, Larawan (Photograph) Hall, Philippine Contemporary Art Gallery 1 & 2 and Sepia Gallery. The best thing about the BenCab Museum is that it is far from intimidating – even if you’re not a formal art enthusiast/art major/extremely cultured person, you can easily appreciate art. It makes art appreciation accessible, down-to-earth, and fun.

Apart from the multiple galleries, one of the most special reasons why people (like myself) keep coming back to BenCab Museum is its Farm and Garden. The view from the museum’s terrace is just gorgeous! If you love being amidst nature’s greens, inhaling fresh and clean air, and just taking the time to relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, you should definitely include BenCab Museum in your Baguio itinerary. There is even a small nipa hut in the middle of the duck pond, with seats where you can relax with family and friends. The museum has a quaint coffee shop called Café Sabel where you can get a quick fix of delicious and healthy food and drinks.

If you’re coming from Manila, you may take the public transport (by bus) going to Baguio City or take a car. The BenCab Museum is very accessible from Baguio City, and it is best to go there by cab or private transport via Asin Road. It is open from Tuesdays to Sundays, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Minimal admission rates are charged upon entrance – Php120 (about US$3) for general admission. Special rates are available for students, senior citizens and organized groups. Photography (for personal use only, except with flash) is allowed in the museum and souvenir items are available near the entrance.

For more information, you may visit the BenCab Museums official website (http://www.bencabmuseum.org/) or Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/bencabmuseum/).

Next time you visit Baguio City, include BenCab Museum in your “Places To Go To”- you will not be disappointed. 

BenCab Museum

Km. 6 Asin Road, Tadiangan,
Tuba, Benguet, Philippines
Tel /Fax: (+63 74) 442 7165
Email: bencabartfoundation@gmail.com

About the author: Rouella is a regular contributor of Sweet Memoirs based in the Philippines. She aims to live a life of faith, learning, inspiration and gratitude. A nurse by profession, she juggles her time between work, school, advocacy, arts and recreational activities. She shares her wonderful finds on her lifestyle blog.