Melo Villareal
Oriental Mindoro Heritage Museum
We were recently invited by DOT Region 4B to visit Calapan City for this year’s Kalap Festival. Apart from attending some of the festivities, we also visited one of the newest tourist attractions in the province — The Oriental Mindoro Heritage Museum.
Famous for its agricultural economy, Mindoro has abundant fresh produce, from rice and corn to fruits and vegetables. Apart from that, Mindoro boasts beautiful white sand beaches, the best diving sites, and other tourist spots, like the Oriental Mindoro Heritage Museum, a must-visit when in the City of Calapan.
And if you’re wondering why this tourist spot is worth visiting, keep reading to learn more about Oriental Mindoro Heritage Museum, Calapan!
About the Museum
The Oriental Mindoro Heritage Museum (OMHM), Calapan, exhibits the province’s rich culture and history. Its construction was spearheaded by Governor Bonz Dolor and funded thru the General Appropriations Act of 2020 by the National Government. The museum opened its doors to the public during the 71st Founding Anniversary Celebration of the province on November 15, 2021.
Like its exhibits, the facility was constructed in a historic site Cal-kuta, an abandoned Spaniard fortress located at the Old Provincial Capitol of Oriental Mindoro in Brgy. Ibaba East, Calapan City. The museum features a fusion of classic and modern designs, influenced by the “MAHAL TANA” concept, focusing on Oriental Mindoro iconic symbols – Mangyan, Halcon, Tamaraw, and Naujan Lake.
In addition, the construction of this two-story museum cost P60,000,000, granted by the former House Speaker Allan Peter Cayetano, which covers a lot of approximately 2,500 square meters. Currently, the facility presents the true legacy of the province, allowing the new and future generations to understand the people and society that made Oriental Mindoro what it is today.
What to See Inside
Since the Oriental Mindoro Heritage Museum, Calapan, functions as the repository and custodian of varying representations of legacy, it houses cultural artifacts, historical records, evidence of abundant biodiversity, and remarkably collected memorabilia throughout the province. Inside the museum, visitors will see displays of old things used by native Mangyan for their livelihood and household.
It also exhibits events in the province from the 18th to 19th century, details on former governors, how Mindoro got divided into two provinces, the people behind it, and more. Furthermore, visitors will see exhibits about the province’s rich culture, history articles, and the number of tribes of native Mangyan. Aside from the museum, the property has coffee and souvenir shops and a convention hall where weddings, birthdays, and other events are held.
So if you’re in for some educational trip with your family and friends, add to your things-to-do the Oriental Mindoro Heritage Museum to learn more about the province. Also, if you’re looking for a place for big parties and reunions, this place would make a great venue.
Operating Hours & Entrance Fee
According to their Facebook page, the Oriental Mindoro Heritage Museum, Calapan, is open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Sunday. However, the museum requires prior booking. Also, they don’t accept same-day bookings and walk-ins. Thus, interested visitors should register thru the OMHM Online Booking to enter the museum.
Meanwhile, the museum offers free admission to the residents of Oriental Mindoro, allowing them to explore varying areas of the facility. But if you’re not a local, the museum collects a minimal entrance fee. For more details and inquiries, visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/orientalmindoroheritagemuseum/.
Contact Details
Oriental Mindoro Heritage Museum, Calapan
- Address: Brgy. Ibaba East, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines, Calapan, Philippines
- Telephone Number: (043) 288-6350
- Mobile Number: 0968-670-0754
- Website: https://www.travelorientalmindoro.ph/
- Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/orientalmindoroheritagemuseum/
- Email: [email protected]
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