The BenCab Museum: An art haven

National Artist Benedicto Cabrera (BenCab) started building the BenCab Museum in 2006 to house the permanent collection of his works as well as to serve as a venue for art shows and exhibitions. The museum is committed to the promotion of the arts and the preservation, conservation and protection of the environment, as well as the culture and traditions of the Cordilleras.

The four-story Museum is an imposing structure above the farm and garden of Ben. The BenCab Gallery features the artist’s works from the ‘60s in Manila; his works from the ‘70s in London, and continues after his homecoming in the mid-’80s and reestablishing his roots in Baguio. The Cordillera Gallery contains the artist’s collection of tribal artifacts, with the bulol (Ifugao rice god) taking center stage. The Philippine Contemporary Art Galleries highlight the artist’s paintings, drawings, prints and pieces of sculpture. The Maestro Gallery houses selected works of Lee Aguinaldo, Roberto Chabet, Victorio Edades, Jose Joya, Cesar Legaspi, Arturo Luz, Anita Magsaysay Ho, Juvenal Sanso, Fernando Zobel and other acknowledged masters of Philippine art. The Erotica Gallery holds artwork with the erotic subjects while the Print Gallery has vintage maps, prints, photographs and postcards on the Philippines. The Indigo Gallery (established by Ben’s brother Salvador in the ‘60s) is a venue for exhibitions and selling art shows. Patio Salvador is an open terrace adjoining Indigo and is used for receptions and sculpture shows. The Sepia Gallery and Larawan Hall are other venues for exhibitions or function rooms for workshops or seminars. The Museum shop sells art paper, books, highland craft and other souvenirs. Café Sabel on the ground floor, overlooking the forest and the duck pond, offers fresh food.

Visitors can also see the farm and garden that showcase organic farm produce and the typical indigenous architecture of Ifugao, Kalinga and Bontoc. There is a river and a cascading waterfall as well on the property that grows seasonal vegetables, herbs, strawberries, sweet potatoes, coffee and ornamental plants. It also has an aviary that houses peacocks among other birds; and a farm with geese, ducks, turkeys, chickens, pigs and other local livestock.

Guests started arriving at 4 p.m. and viewed the Philippine Art Awards Exhibits at the Indigo Gallery and the Prints Collection at the Print Gallery. Founding Member of the BenCab Museum Foundation Rico Hizon acted as emcee for the afternoon and introduced tenor Glenn Gaerlan and mezzo soprano Mia Protacio who entertained the crowd with their performance. Three BenCab digital prints were raffled off to lucky guests followed by the auction of the Museum Entrance Pass number 001. Ben then gave his speech thanking those who have helped him realize this dream, then proceeded to unveil the 32 Variations of Sabel, 32 different black and white paintings on tiles. Cocktails and dinner continued at Café Sabel as the fireworks illuminated the skies after the sunset. Multi-talented Ben tirelessly signed books and BenCab plates, granted interviews for the press, and graciously posed for photos with guests.

Inauguration partners included Philip Morris Philippines, Asian Tigers-Lane Moving & Storage, Bacchus, Pernod Ricard Philippines and Enchong Formoso of Duty Free Philippines.

The Bencab Museum is a project of the BenCab Art Foundation, a non-stock, non-profit organization that supports activities related to the arts and environment. It is located on Kilometer 6, Asin Road, Tadiangan, Tuba, Benguet, a 15-minute drive from the Baguio City center and is accessible by jeep from the terminal near the Baguio market. It is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Guided tours of the Museum and Gardens may be arranged at the reception.

(Call (074) 442-7165 or e-mail [email protected] or log on to www.bencabmuseum.org for details.)