President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (File photo from RTV Malacañang)
MANILA, Philippines — Museums are important to nations, especially young ones like the Philippines, because they help people establish their identity, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said Friday when he graced the inauguration of the National Museum in Cebu City.
“Let me now highlight what to me is — not only because it is so interesting and it is so informative, but why are museums still important? Why should we not just put these away and lock them away, and keep them as artifacts, and perhaps the academicians can come in, the scientists can come in, and study them once in a while?” Marcos asked?
“But why do we have to make these exhibits, why do we have to make museums? Every country, a young country such as the Philippines has to find its identity. And we need to answer the question — if we are to unite together, we need to answer the question: what does it mean to be Filipino?” he added.
According to the Chief Executive, the inauguration and opening of the first National Museum in Cebu is not only a milestone for the city and the whole province, but also for the country as it not only provides additional tourism sites, but also brings an understanding of what Filipinos are.
“This is in line with our national agenda to promote tourism and just as importantly, to nurture our national identity. It is a milestone not only for the Queen City of the South and the whole province of Cebu, but for the entire country as the opening of this museum brings to the fore our rich natural, cultural, and artistic treasures,” he said.
“Museums are considered valuable cultural assets to a nation as they build a sense of community, document history, inspire creativity, promote tourism, and unite people through a shared heritage. Indeed, through the arts and the artifacts that they showcase, museums enable visitors to get a glimpse of the past, understand the present, and illuminate the way to the future,” he added.
Marcos also noted that the past can give people many lessons, aside from being a way to find commonalities between people.
The first National Museum in Cebu, which is housed at the Aduana building or the Old Customs House and the Malacañan sa Sugbo, will start accepting guests from Tuesday to Sunday (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) on August 1.
Admission is free.