BenCab Museum: The Artworks And Collections Of Philippine National Artist Ben Cabrera

Benedicto Reyes Cabrera, or BenCab as he is more popularly known, is widely hailed as a master of contemporary Philippine art. He was born in Manila on April 10, 1942. BenCab began carving a niche for himself in Manila’s art circles shortly after receiving his bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from the University of the Philippines in 1963.

A painter and printmaker, he has exhibited widely in the Philippines and in Asia, Europe, and the United States. He has won several major art awards in a career spanning four decades. In 1992, he received the Gawad CCP Para sa Sining.

In 2006, he was conferred the Order of National Artist for Visual Arts by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Malacanang Palace.

Achieving all these gigantic awards, he could just spend his life relaxing in Baguio and spending time with family but he didn’t. Instead, he continued his career by building up a four-story museum that invites younger generation to appreciate Philippine art through the decades. Plus, funds from this museum goes to the BenCab Art Foundation, an organization that supports activities related to art and environment.

When we roam around the museum, surprisingly, we saw Mr. Benedicto Cabrera himself chilling in the building’s cafe with a friend. Gosh! A national artist was in front of me! I wasn’t able to take a photo with him because my shyness took over me. After all, it was his private time and I didn’t want to interrupt. It seems that BenCab Museum has become his rest home. With this alluring sight and refreshing breeze of Tuba and Baguio City, I understand why he chose this place. And after all he has achieved in life, it is so generous of him to share not just his amazing art collections but also this beautiful place to the public.

From the name of this gallery, you would already know that this room exclusively showcases BenCab’s works from 50 years of his career. I noticed that most of his paintings are in acrylic on canvas and paper. Perhaps, it’s his forte.

In this room, I could see how BenCab genuinely love his mountain home as he collects and houses tribal artifacts and indigenous crafts of the Cordillera highlands. In Cordillera Gallery, guests will admire the Bulul and other carved wooden furniture.

Aside from BenCab’s pieces, the museum also flaunts the works of other artists like Arturo Luz, Juvenal Sanso, Jose Joya and Ramon Orlina, which can be found in the Philippine Contemporary Art Galleries and Maestro Gallery.

I love that this exhibition doesn’t only focus on paintings. They also have sculpture, graphics, paintings and mixed media works. The fact that these were created by Filipino artists makes me even prouder to be a Filipino.

Erotica Gallery will let you perceive the beauty in nudes without feeling any malice. At first, it was hilarious but upon leaving the room, I couldn’t help but admire the artists for being able to portray sexuality into a work of art.

Jason Montinola was the featured artist in Gallery Indigo when we visited BenCab Museum. Thanks to BenCab for introducing another talented artist to us! I love the way he uses geometrical figures to complete his oil paintings.

BenCab Museum’s Sepia Gallery is used as a smaller venue for changing exhibitions. I forgot to note the artist featured here but whoever he is, I remember how skilled he is in using colored pens in his warrior drawings. I was in awe.

This is one of my favorite masterpiece in BenCab Museum. It’s displayed outside the galleries so I’m not sure whose work is this. But seeing more designed aluminum panels and metal structures in BenCab gallery, I assume that this is BenCab’s.

These two are another personal faves. Benhur Villanueva’s Tayaw shows that a rustic bronze is still appealing to the eye. On the other hand, I’m kinda biased with Aba Dalena’s sculpture because I love cats. Look! The kitty is such a cutie!

I guess Julie Lluch’s Lily for Georgia is the audience’s favorite because of how this flower looks like a woman’s vulva. But the fact that it’s created with terracotta, a type of ceramic pottery, amazes me more.

At the bottom floor, we were greeted with this cozy cafe named after BenCab’s iconic subject of most of his works. With playful interior, Cafe Sabel is as artistic as the museum. It feels good to drink coffee here while enjoying the view and ambiance.

The Hot Caramel and Hot Cappuccino were so damn good in this Baguio weather. It’s obvious that they use fresh greens and high quality ingredients for the Ham and Cheese Panini. I just realized that Kamote fries are better with cheese.

Cafe Sabel will also let you see the museum’s wonderfully landscaped garden and farm. They actually offer ecology trail tours for guests but we weren’t able to avail because it was raining. But from here, my eyes were already satisfied with the beauty.

Before leaving the exhibit, don’t forget to buy souvenirs and bring home a work of art in the museum shop. They sell books, post cards, wood carvings, textiles, shirts and caps.

I admit that I’m not into art. But I’m not lying when I say that this Math geek absolutely enjoyed her adventure in BenCab Museum. So if you’re heading north, I recommend to bathe yourself with the rich culture of Cordillera and appreciate the skills of Filipino artists in BenCab Museum.