Movable cultural objects and the museums in which they are conserved constitute exceptional repositories of cultural diversity. As points of access for knowledge about cultures and centres of—formal and non-formal—education, museums also contribute to mutual understanding and social cohesion as well as economic and human development. – UNESCO

THE PALAWAN MUSEUM

PALAWAN is, indeed, increasingly being recognized nationwide and internationally as a prime tourist destination. The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is currently a nominee to the New 7 Wonders of Nature and is inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List, together with the Tubbataha Reefs. El Nido, Palawan was featured in the Leg 12 of the Amazing Race Season 5 where the teams had to climb a 150-foot (46m) rock wall (Lagen wall) and find their next clue in one of four giant clams. Ploning, a film shot in the island of Cuyo, Palawan, is the Official Entry of the Philippines to the to the 81st Academy awards (OSCARS) for the Best Foreign Language Film Category. But despite its increasing prestige, most people are still unaware that  Palawan’s cultural and historical resources are as rich and diverse as its natural resources.

 Palawan is home to 87 different cultural groups and races. It is home to 3 national cultural treasures . The Tagbanuas, one of the indigenous groups in Palawan, are one of the few remaining ethnolinguistic groups in the Philippines that use a type of syllabic writing in the country prior to the coming of the Spaniards, which has been declared in 1999 by UNESCO as “Memory of the World”. The Manunggul Jar discovered in Quezon, Palawan is one of our solid proofs that we are from the Austronesian group of people. Pots, jewelry, language, musical instruments in Palawan speak of a rich multicultural society with a long history.

THE PALAWAN MUSEUM AS A SOCIAL INSTITUTION

Museums, among many others, are means to showcase information found in artifacts and in the other creations of both man and nature in the past and in the present. These information are important for individuals and groups to learn something about their past, which they can use in understanding the present and in rewriting their own history.

The Palawan Museum was created in 1991 with a vision of serving as a center and repository of relics and artifacts in Palawan, as a genuine source of the rich natural and historical legacy of Palawan and as a source of a growing collection and reference on Palawan’s cultural heritage.

 In line with this vision, the Palawan Museum recognizes the NEED FOR INFORMATION found in artifacts to be SHARED to the PUBLIC not only as a source of entertainment or nice-to-know trivia but also for the public to understand and recreate their identity.

With our sections namely the anthropology, archaeology, biology, ethnology and historical sections, we are hoping that we are able to create an interest, keep the interest and make our visitors aware of the value of our heritage. Please check the Categories box and click on the Sections link to get more information about these sections.

A Library is also found at the Palawan Museum which is composed of donations from our partners of hard-to-find books on archeology, history, culture, ethnology, anthropology about Palawan and about the world. (Click the library link at the Categories Box to see the list of books that we have.)

THE PALAWAN MUSEUM AS AN ECONOMIC INSTITUTION

The Palawan Museum is an economic institution as much as it is a social institution. With the decline of public interest in visiting museums in the Philippines, more lay-offs for their employees follow. It is thus trying to find ways on how to make the museum financially sustainable and not just rely on public support for its operational expenditures. The Museum is currently strengthening its ties with tour operators, teachers, different individuals and groups in the province of Palawan, aggressively marketing its services through this site and through other promotional activities, increasing the coverage of our exhibits by creating a CUYONON SECTION, and opening our membership and the museum to interested individuals or groups who want to tie up with the museum for events in Palawan.

We are also still in the process of improving our products and services through research and brainstorming. That is why we are inviting you to please answer the polls that you will find in this website or the survey forms at the Palawan museum.

Disclaimer: The exhibits at the Palawan Museum and the books at the library are donations from different groups and families living in Palawan and other generous individuals (Nicole Revel-McDonald) and are worth millions of pesos when appraised. The artifacts and material culture (handicrafts, baskets, etc) found at the museum speak of the rich history and culture of Palawan, some of which are still being used and produced by the indigenous groups of the province of Palawan, Philippines.  The Palawan Museum appreciates your participation on the polls below. This is a way to further improve the exhibits that we have and also to find out how much our exhibits are valued by its visitors and the Palaweno community.

 If you have other suggestions or inquiries,  please contact us at +63-48433 2963

Matamang salamat!!! Thank you very much!!!

We are looking forward to hearing from you, partnering with you and serving you…!