Making Time for Museo ni Apolinario Mabini

The Museo ni Apolinario Mabini erected on the place
where Mabini was born in Talaga, Tanauan on July 23, 1864

While researching for a values textbook project many years ago, I came across the life story of Apolinario Mabini, considered as one of the brightest among Filipino heroes. Apolinario, or Pule as he was fondly called when he was younger, was born in Tanauan City, Batangas. So when my husband and I went to Tanauan for a speaking engagement, we didn't pass up the chance to visit the museum that was built in his honor--the Mabini Shrine, also known as Museo ni Apolinario Mabini.

A replica of the Mabini Family's nipa house

Although there is another museum of the same name located in Sta. Mesa, Manila, the museum in Brgy. Talaga, Tanauan City is bigger. It is also erected in the birthplace of Mabini. In fact, a replica of their family's nipa house is built on the left side of the museum's compound. In front of the entrance to the two-storey museum is Mabini's imposing marble tomb embossed with his iconic signature.

The hero's tomb

The two-storey museum has seven rooms, each room dedicated to a significant stage in the life of Mabini. Each room exhibits Mabini's possessions, historical records, documents, photographs, and other memorabilia. Each room is a walk not only through Mabini's life, but a review of Philippine history as well because he was a significant part of it. He opposed the Spanish colonial rule and was called the "Brains of the Revolution". Later on, he would also oppose the American colonial rule. Apolinario Mabini served as adviser to Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo during the Revolutionary Government. He also wrote the True Decalogue which encouraged Filipinos to develop qualities like truthfulness, industry, and love for God and country.

Facsimile of Mabini's academic records at the Universidad de Sto. Tomas de Manila
where he took up law

Mabini lost his legs to polio and had to be carried as seen in this painting

Paintings and glass art depicting Mabini's life adorn the halls of the museum

Outside one of the seven rooms of the museum

Walls like this narrate Mabini's involvement in Philippine history

Inside Room Seven are some of Mabini's possessions like his armchair,
full-sized mirror, and cabinet

Couldn't resist taking a selfie with Mabini's mirror behind us

We appreciate that Museo ni Apolinario Mabini is well-maintained by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. Aside from being one of the biggest museum under its care, the museum also has audio-visual and interactive features. Museo ni Apolinario Mabini is open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday, 8:00 A.M.-4:00 P.M. For other historical museums under NHCP, check out their website.

Looking for more articles on museums? Read about the The Book Museum cum Ethnology Center and Shoe Museum both located in Marikina City. For more travel stories, get a copy of Traveler's Notebook: Insights from Life's Journey at Shopee and Lazada.