As a grad student at UST, one of the must-do experiences is to visit the UST Museum. It’s right inside the Main Building, and during one of my WCE document processing errands, I finally got the chance to drop by
The museum isn’t big compared to others I’ve visited, but it holds a surprisingly wide range of items that reflect both natural history and Filipino culture. Admission was just ₱50, and free if you’re a Thomasian with an ID. Visitors just need to leave an ID at the security desk and sign in before entering.
Located inside one of the oldest buildings on campus, the museum feels like a time capsule. The ground floor features the Natural History collection, filled with preserved birds, mammals, reptiles, and other specimens. The setup reminds me of old-school natural history museums with glass cases and handwritten labels. It felt a little nostalgic.
Upstairs, you’ll find the Visual Arts section, showcasing works by Filipino artists from the Spanish colonial period up to the early 20th century.
I took my time here. I was especially drawn to the religious pieces like the Brown Madonna and Sagrada Familia; they’re striking and distinctively Filipino.
The Ethnographic collection on the next level has displays of Philippine musical instruments, carved figurines, wooden bowls, and tribal jewelry. The items are beautiful, though I wished there were more detailed labels or context to go with them. Still, it was a nice glimpse into indigenous craftsmanship and daily life.
There’s also a Religious Art Gallery that holds pieces from the 16th to 20th century. It’s quiet and peaceful in this section, with soft background music playing. It adds a calm and reflective tone to the whole visit.
One thing that stood out was the Papal chair…yes, the actual chair used by the Pope during a visit to the Philippines. It’s not something you see every day, and it was one of my favorite unexpected finds.
The staff were friendly and ready to answer any questions. Even though the museum isn’t huge, it’s worth a visit if you’re already on campus or nearby. It’s a calm break from the usual student life.
UST Museum Contact Information
Main Building, University of Santo Tomas, España Blvd., Manila
Operating Hours: Usually open weekdays (check official page for holidays and closures)
Entrance Fee:
Free for Thomasians, faculty, staff, and alumni with ID
₱30 for non-Thomasian students (with valid school ID)
₱50 for general visitors
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