Bencab Museum and Cafe Sabel, "An Amazing Place to Appreciate Art in Tuba Benguet"

The BenCab Museum is one of the most beautiful museums I've been to. Located along Asin Road in Tuba, Benguet, it is a four-level building which houses our National Artist for Visual Arts Benedicto Reyes Cabrera's (BenCab) art collections. BenCab Museum has nine galleries, a cafe and one function room for workshops, seminars and other art-related activities. From time to time, it also showcases exhibits from different contemporary artists from Manila and different parts of the country.

The lobby area at the 1st level of the museum

BenCab Museum houses every art piece you could think of - drawings, sketches, paintings, sculptures, art installations, artifacts, among many others. What I love about BenCab Museum is that it showcases the Cordillera with many sculptures and artifacts related to the rich Cordillera culture, traditions and practices.

1930's Ifugao furniture

During our Baguio Food Tour 2014 last March, We were able to visit BenCab Museum. I would like to share with you our museum experience.

The street level is where the entrance to the museum is. Here you'll find the museum's office, reception area, lobby, museum shop, sepia gallery and the Edison Coseteng patio. Upon entering, we were gladly welcomed by the museum's staff. I love the museum's modern architecture with high ceiling and glass walls and windows where natural light comes in.

32 Variations on Sabel glaze on Mariwasa tiles

We then proceeded on the 2nd level which houses different galleries such as cordillera gallery, print gallery, indigo gallery, erotica gallery and the Bencab gallery. This is also where you could find the huge bulol installation against one big white wall with natural light coming in as well as Patio Salvador and the viewing terrace. Please note that erotica gallery contains works with imagery that may be offensive to minors and certain individuals. Please be guided accordingly.

Erotica Gallery

Erotica Gallery

Art installation

Sculpture

Painting

Sculpture

Bulol installation

The bulol, or "Ifugao rice god"

Different kinds of bulol

Kinnabigat (a 6-footer king post) and an indoor mortar

Tabayag (Lime Containers)

Hagabi - a long wooden bench carved from a single piece of wood, a symbol of wealth and social prestige among the Ifugao.

At the 3rd level of the museum is where you'll find the maestro gallery, larawan hall (function room) and 2 Philippine contemporary art galleries.

"Homage to Sabel 9" by Bencab (acrylic on canvas)

"Woman with Fan" by Bencab (acrylic on canvas)

"Lovers" by Bencab (acrylic on handmade paper)

The 4th level is the farm and garden level where Cafe Isabel and the lovely garden and farm are located. I love the cutesy gazebo in the middle of a man-made pond connected by a wooden bridge. We took our time to rest for a while and chilled at the gazebo.

Garden and farm area

Then we went back to Cafe Sabel. It is Bencab Museum's quaint little restaurant at the lowest level of the museum. The restaurant offers a homey ambiance with its fun, colorful interiors and a stunning view of the garden. Food is also good using fresh vegetables. They offer a variety of dishes from breakfast meals, pastas, salads, among many others. This is the 2nd time I went here. We just had coffee, perfect for the cold weather. But must-try are their Chicken Paprika and BenCab's Brew which is their signature coffee blend.

Cafe Sabel

Dining area

Menu - All day breakfasts

Menu - Pastas

Menu - Salads, hot and cold drinks

Menu - Soups, appetizers and desserts

Coffee

And just when we're about to leave the museum, we were surprised to meet Mr. BenCab himself. He was so nice. We took the chance to have a photo taken with him. What a great opportunity to meet a National Artist! Na-star struck ako! Hehehe! Thank you po for sponsoring our visit to your museum.

Baguio Food Tour partcipants with Bencab (photo from rina-alcantara.com)

The BenCab Museum is on Km. 6 Asin Road, a brief 15-minute drive from the center of Baguio City. It is open daily except Mondays, Christmas Day and New Year's Day from 9:00 AM to 6:00p PM(Note: the last entry is at 5:30 PM). Entrance fee is PHP 100.00, and PHP 80.00 for students and senior citizens.

Bencab Museum

Address: Km. 6 Asin Road, Tadiangan, Tuba, Benguet, Philippines
Operating Hours: Open daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily (except Mondays, Christmas Day and New Year's Day)
Contact number: (+63 74) 442-7165 | (+63 920) 530-1954
Website: www.bencabmuseum.org

How to Get to Bencab Museum

From Baguio City, just take a jeepney bound for Asin road. BenCab Museum is located at KM 6, the jeepney will stop right in front of the museum. Fare is about 12 pesos and travel time is around 30 minutes by jeepney. You may also take a taxi for less than 100 pesos from Baguio City. Travel time is about 15-20 minutes.

READ ALSO:

• Restaurants in Baguio City (PART 1)
• How to get to Baguio City from Manila and Vice Versa by Bus and by Private Car

This is part of Baguio Food Tour 2014 that happened on March 1-2, 2014. #BFT2014 is a gastronomic adventure in the Summer Capital of the Philippines participated by 10 bloggers from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Beyond the usual tourist attractions, this event aims to promote Baguio City as a food destination in Northern Luzon.

WHERE TO STAY IN BAGUIO CITY

• Azalea Residences, "Your Holiday Haven in Baguio City!"

WHERE TO EAT IN BAGUIO CITY

• Le Chef's Breakfast Buffet at The Manor, Camp John Hay
• Ketchup Food Community's Rancho Norte and Happy Tummy
• Alfoncito's Place, "Original Italian Style of Cooking with a Twist"
• Tradisyon, "Pinoy Comfort Food" at Azalea Residences
• Sage /saj/ Restaurant
• Rasa Pura Singaporean Seafood Restaurant
• Bencab Museum and Cafe Sabel, "An Amazing Place to Appreciate Art in Tuba Benguet"

Disclosure: Bencab Museum is one of the Partner-establishments of #BaguioFoodTour2014. Thank you for hosting our visit.