The first time I set foot in Pinto Art Museum was in 2016 and then the second time in 2018. I still didn’t know how to use my Pentax then, so the images turned out a bit dark and blurry. Now that it was my third time to visit, I took time around Gallery 7, their newest exhibit. Still, Elmer Borlongan’s The Circle Game remains my favorite.
How to Go to Pinto Art Museum
There are Antipolo-bound jeepneys from Ortigas Avenue and Felix Avenue. Get off at Ynares Center, and then take another tricycle ride going to Pinto Art Museum.
What to Expect in Pinto Art Museum
Make use of your time and do not underestimate this museum. During my first visit, we entered at 10 a.m. and finished just when the place was about to close. This time, we were there about 12:30 p.m., in the hopes we’d be done eating our lunch by 1:30 p.m. Unfortunately, our tour started at around three, and thus, we weren’t able to visit the Museum of Indigenous Art. I’ll explain in detail later.
Just carry a small pouch if possible; huge bags have to be left in the counter. The entrance fee costs Php 200 pesos for adults. Good price already, given that there are a lot of things to see inside.
The Pinto Academy: Arts and Sciences for Healing and Wholeness
Pinto Art Museum is mostly painted in white, covered with lush green foliage and filled with potted shrubs. I am no art expert, sorry na, but I was able to appreciate this part (even rested a bit on the sofas) several years ago. Para kang nagpa-spa feels.
Galleries 1, 2, 3
My favorite painting The Circle Game by Elmer Borlongan resides in gallery 3. If you’re into avant-garde contemporary art, you’ll love Pinto Art. Before, I thought this museum only featured beautiful doors (most pictures on Instagram put a spotlight on the blue-green and wooden doors of The Pinto Academy) and the paintings were just decor. Girl was I totally wrong (and up to now, I’m still amazed by most of the artworks).
Galleries 4, 5, 6
Here lies the famous “We are the kids that your parents warned you about,” now accompanied by an “I’m bored with it all” art. I love how spacious galleries 4, 5, and 6 are, yet every corner was packed with art.
Gallery 7
Their seventh gallery opened last December 31. I enjoyed touring around, especially when most of them were reflective of our country’s beliefs, educational system, and religion. I took photos of the art pieces that captured my attention.
My favorite in this gallery would be an art exhibition portraying epileptic seizures. The artist used blinking lights while surrounding the whole room in darkness. I was also in awe upon seeing the floating gown. You should see these; the pictures I posted here aren’t enough.
Where to Eat in Pinto Art Museum
The museum itself was perfect, but I couldn’t say the same about Cafe Rizal in Pinto Art Museum. I guess it depends on the day of your tour. Since it was a Sunday, tourists and locals were there to visit. (But in their years of existence, haven’t they gotten used to the weekend rush? Hmm.)
We had to wait for one and a half hours for our food to arrive, and since our glasses of lemon iced tea were served first, we did our best not to drink and put up with water. I tried my best to understand and didn’t bother the waiters (who seemed to ignore eye contact). Our orders, chicken teriyaki (Php 325) and beef short plate (Php 375), were both a 10/10; the halo-halo (Php 210) an 8/10. I just hoped the dishes were served promptly.
Favorite Picture
Pinto Art Museum
Tuesdays to Sundays, 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
1 Sierra Madre St, Grand Heights Subdivision, Antipolo, Rizal
http://www.pintoart.org/museum/
https://www.facebook.com/Pinto.Art.Museum.officialpage/
Love Letters of Peach 