In a divergent Winterfell universe, Meera would instead tell Hodor to "open the door" and enter a sanctuary where diverse cultures were linked beautifully through art. That place could very well be the Pinto Art Museum in Antipolo City.
Entering a Door to Astounding Creations at Pinto Art Museum | Antipolo
Named after the Filipino word pinto, which meant 'door', the museum—first opened in 2010—ushered visitors into a setting which founder Dr. Joven Cuanang envisioned as a place where arts played "a diplomatic role in bridging distinctive nationalities, worldviews, and communities," and where visual fine arts popped with emotive appeal, poignant meaning, and bursting inspirations.
Patronizing local artists, Dr. Cuanang started his art collection in the late 1980s. Coinciding with the euphoric high of the People Power Revolution of 1986, a new era of artistic exploration blossomed, giving birth to a new generation of artists who suddenly found themselves unbonded by the censorship of the previous dictatorial regime.
Through a fervent will of collecting art through connoisseurship and acquisitions, Dr. Cuanang earned the distinction of being a leading enabler of the Filipino art scene. Today, the Pinto Art Museum housed the works of several acclaimed Filipino artists such as Rodel Tapaya, Marina Cruz, Elmer Borlongan, Jose John Santos III, Emmanuel Garibay, Mark Justiniani, and Antonio Leaño, just to state a few.
Every once in a while, the museum also hosted new artists to display their works. At the time of our visit, I chanced upon a gallery showcasing the works of Filipino visual artist Igan D'Bayan.
Situated on a 1.5-hectare property in the suburban part of Antipolo, the museum still manifested a countryside feel because of the landscaped gardens and charming courtyards surrounding the galleries. Every corner you directed your sight instantly screamed of an 'Instagrammable' spot—a fact that had earned the museum the distinction of being one of the most Instagrammed art houses in the world.
An Unexpected Journey
I joined fellow travel bloggers Josiah, Lisa Marie, and Doi one lazy weekday to visit the museum. After meeting up in Cubao, we boarded a Grab taxi to Pinto Art Museum. Eavesdropping on our conversation, the driver expressed interest in the place. “What can be seen there?” he asked us.
Josiah, being a friendly and accommodating person, responded with an invitation. “Manong, since we need a ride back, why don’t you go with us? We’ll pay your entrance ticket, so you can also check it out.” Long story short, our Grab driver not only got passengers going to and from Pinto Art Museum, he also got to enjoy an afternoon at the museum.
Upon entering, my attention was immediately piqued by the pieces of art installations laid out in the garden. There was a set of statues made of stone, metal strips formed in the image of a mother holding a baby, steel sculptures, and tiny ornamental pieces, each with its own story and meaning to express. I had yet to enter a gallery, and I was already barraged with a visual banquet.
The galleries were all housed in separate buildings whose interiors and exteriors resembled colonial Spanish architecture with hints of Mediterranean influence, making exploring the whole compound akin to walking around a small, charming neighborhood. Also located inside were two cafés: the roof deck Café Tan-Aw by Peppermill and the Pinto Café located in the garden area.
The key to thoroughly enjoying your Pinto Art Museum experience was to take it slow while you chewed up the artsiness of the place. Admittedly, I wasn't much of an art connoisseur, so there were galleries where I took my sweet time and probably one or two where I blitzed through—which I kind of now regretted.
Oh well, I guessed that gave me another reason to go back to Pinto Art Museum armed with all the time in the world.
