Forget dusty display cases and boring lectures, because there’s more to history than just your typical talks and books.
The Pasig City Museum, formerly the Concepcion Museum, is anything but your average historical snoozefest. Entering this old mansion, which was converted into a museum, is like being in a time machine that blasts you straight into Pasig’s vibrant past.
A MANSION WITH A STORIED PAST
The museum itself is a looker. Built in 1937, this neo-Castilian stunner boasts a terracotta roof that whispers of old-money elegance. Back then, it was the living quarters of Don Fortunato Cabrera Concepcion, a former mayor who left his mark on Pasig’s history.
Fast forward to 2001 when the mansion traded its familial leanings for a new role as a museum, a treasure chest overflowing with artifacts and exhibits spilled the tea on Pasig’s journey from its humble beginnings to what is now one of the Metro’s bustling cities.
THREE FLOORS OF HISTORY
The ground floor of the Pasig City Museum transports visitors back to the city’s pre-colonial era. Think of indigenous communities thriving along the Pasig River – a far cry from the city’s concrete jungle today. Head upstairs and you’ll find yourself in the Spanish colonial period, with exhibits that tell the story of how Pasig was governed and what life was like back then.
The second floor spills the beans on the Concepcion family, Pasig’s original power players. Don Fortunato Cabrera Concepcion, the mansion’s former owner, gets a special mention here for his contributions to the city’s infrastructure and economy since he was one of the prime movers that helped shape Pasig to what it is today.
The top floor ditches the dusty old times and rockets you into the future. Here, you’ll see how Pasig was transformed into a financial and business center complete with towering skyscrapers and booming industries.
NOT YOUR AVERAGE MUSEUM
The Pasig City Museum isn’t just your run-of-the-mill history fix. In fact, the museum is also home to events like art workshops, musical performances and book launches. Basically, it’s a cultural hub where the past meets the present in a pretty awesome way.
The Pasig City Museum is open Tuesdays to Saturdays with free admission.
Ditch the boring tourist traps and dive into Pasig’s story. This museum is where history gets real.
