Developed third places for all
Step into a world where culture comes alive and creativity knows no bounds—the Philippines' highly developed third spaces await your exploration!
Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring designs of renovated museums and theaters, where high-tech innovations elevate the Filipino art scene to new heights, sparking wonder and appreciation at every turn.
But the adventure doesn't end there—venture into lush public parks and inviting libraries, where the spirit of community thrives and alternative leisure options beckon beyond the confines of commercialized environments.
From captivating exhibitions to communal arts events, these dynamic spaces are more than just destinations—they're gateways to a brighter, more vibrant future for all.
Calling all aspiring engineers and innovators! Dive into the world of robotics at The Philippine Public Library's Robotics Club, where Filipino youth are invited to unleash their creativity and problem-solving skills through hands-on LEGO robotics activities in our dynamic makerspace. From building and programming robots to tackling exciting challenges, our club offers a welcoming space for young minds to explore, experiment, and connect with like-minded peers. Join us as we embark on a journey of discovery and imagination—let's build the future together!
Want some free entertainment? Check out Terrarium Park at 20th Street, and you're bound to find some dancers jamming there. The park has a huge open space that can hosts groups of all sizes, from small crews of 5 to large cyphers of 20+ people. Various shelters and greenery surround the space, ensuring a more comfortable environment amidst a tropical climate. Anyone and everyone can use the space freely until late; the guards won't mind because they enjoy watching too. Those too shy to go on the dance floor can spectate comfortably from one of the nearby benches.
NOW ON VIEW at The National Museum of Arts & Culture: "Serenity: Reliving Andrade's Pastoral Landscapes"
Embark on a journey through the brushstrokes of history as we unveil our groundbreaking exhibit: "Serenity: Reliving Andrade's Pastoral Landscapes" where traditional Filipino paintings by National Artist Fernanda Andrade leap off the canvas and into the realm of immersive reality. Thanks to cutting-edge extended reality (XR) technologies, visitors can step inside these masterpieces, feeling the warmth of the sun on their skin, hearing the rustle of leaves in the wind, and even tasting the flavors of a bygone era. Prepare to be transported to a world where art transcends boundaries and imagination knows no limits. Don't miss your chance to become a part of the painting—book your tickets today!
Selected Quotes
I think that even more investing in our museums would be really great, because when I went to the National Museum of the Fine Arts, I had no problems with the art. I think more could be done with how it was presented. The graphic design of the museums were all in Calibri...[and there] was very little text hierarchy. It's just walls and walls of text. When I think of other museums, they have really nice pamphlets [and] a design store. It's not really just about me observing how bad the graphic design was, because it speaks of something bigger–I think of how little art is incorporated into the Filipino experience, even if it's already there...its appreciation and its value isn’t really recognized...[Basically all about] improving our museums and finding a way to make it more approachable to people.
In an ideal world and Philippines, I would build a lot more libraries that serve as third spaces because we don't have much of that. We have too many malls. I...[want] less malls...[and] more third spaces.
I'd want for there to be less malls and more parks...[W]hen I was [in Europe], it was nice to just chill in parks, to just chill on the streets, stuff like that. Here [in the Philippines], everything's commercialized, eh. It's like: "Oh, you need a new tambayan spot? Here, a mall. Here, a mall. Here, a mall"...I want less malls so [that] we can have better developed [public places]...to go to. [There] can still be like some buildings, right? But [it doesn't] necessarily [have to be] a shopping center. Like [what if we had buildings] with cafes, some creative spots...That's how I'm seeing 2040...[according to] my optimist side.
...[A]lam mo yung Tropical Futures? Ok sila, may attempt to decolonize the tech culture sa Philippines. Nakakatawa na may post sila na nilagyan ng tubig tapos itsura niya, siya yung CPU tapos nakaconnect sa monitor. Tas yung mga post nila na nasa computer shop, basta ang ganda nung attempt to actually contextualize yung kalye, kung ano yung itsura. Ang term ko doon ay island technology. Maganda rin yung ginagawa ni Nice Buenaventura: meron siyang project na color as a concept tapos cinoconfluence niya yung itsura ng aesthetic or kulay ng mga Pinoy sa kalye tapos pinopost niya. Yan, may general attempt to decolonize yung mga images na yun. Pero then again, doon ulit iyon sa mga nakapagaral, sa may access sa pagaaral.
