Text by Charmaine A. Lingdas
Photos by Sarah Hazel S. Pulumbarit

After a hiatus of four years, the UP Manila Museum of a History of Ideas (UPM-MHI) is ready to welcome visitors once again. 

Closed since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it underwent major renovations, which eventually led the museum to mark this momentous occasion with a soft opening on December 10, 2024. The event not only celebrates its reopening but also commemorates the tenth-year anniversary of the museum. 

Dr. Honey Libertine Achanzar-Labor, Special Assistant to the Chancellor for the UP Manila Museum of a History of Ideas, expressed her gratitude to the UP Manila administration for their unwavering support in making the event possible. “We are now in a better position to serve the university,” she affirmed.

Chancellor Michael L. Tee reflected on the vision for the museum, sharing his initial conversation with Dr. Achanzar-Labor when she accepted her request to oversee the museum, they agreed that it wouldn’t be just about the history of ideas. It would also showcase future ideas and “to make this a true Museum of a Health Science University.”

He emphasized that the museum is envisioned as more than just a repository of history—it will serve as a humanitarian and social science laboratory for the College of Arts and Sciences. He added that there will be a section to showcase the medicinal plants, as well as a space for social activities within the university, bringing together different colleges and minds to create more innovative ideas.

Activities in the Immediate Future

Beginning on this special day, the museum will first open its doors to the UP Manila top management, administrative staff, college deans, and Philippine General Hospital employees—a small yet meaningful step toward its full reopening to the public.

As the museum eases back into its daily operations, guided and group tours will initially be available only to members of the UP community. These gradual adjustments aim to ensure that visitors have a seamless experience while the museum staff refine operations based on early feedback.

Looking ahead, the UPM-MHI is preparing for its grand reopening in March 2025, where it will unveil the re-curated The Secular Gallery—a permanent exhibition funded by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) through its Competitive Grants Program. This refreshed exhibit promises to celebrate the ideas and innovations that have shaped the history of UP Manila.

About the MHI

The Museum of a History of Ideas is a landmark institution and the first museum on the UP Manila campus. It is housed in the beautifully restored heritage building of the College of Dentistry, originally built in 1931. The restoration, masterfully undertaken by the architectural firm of Eduardo Calma, repurposed the historic structure to serve as the museum’s home. Inaugurated on October 22, 2014, it explores and chronicles the intellectual contributions of UP to nation-building and national identity

The museum stands as a tribute to the university’s legacy, capturing the essence of its intellectual journey through thoughtfully curated artifacts, images, and stories. Its reopening is not just about revisiting the past; it’s about inspiring the present and future.

For updates and inquiries, you may contact the MHI at (632) 8814 1256 or via email at up-museum@up.edu.ph.#