Baguio Backpackers: Ben Cab Museum

For a more relaxing activity, try visiting Ben Cab museum!

Admission to the museum
General: Php 100
Student: Php 80

How to get there? Below is the map from BenCab. If you plan to commute, hire a cab. I don't think there are a lot of taxis passing by that area without a passenger.

Tip: When you plan to hire a cab, group the places that are near each other so you can take your time and not rush.

You can also take a jeep to Asin road from the jeepney terminal near Baguio market.

There's not much to say but... visit the place! It's really interesting. If you enjoy looking at artworks and paintings, or you want some quiet time, you should check it out.

Tin seemed to have enjoyed going around the museum, playing around with the statues:

"Whistle Blower" by Orley Ypon
Oil on canvas, 24x36in

I, too, played around with the statues:

But the paintings really fascinated me:

"Back Side" by BenCab
Acrylic on canvas, 2014, 32x24in

"Chinamoy" by Cawaon Cablog

"Huwag Mo Damdamin Ang Mga Bagay Dahil Ang
Bagay Walang Damdamin" by Lynyrd Paras

Some of the other paintings I liked:

" Sleepwell" by Yao Sampana
Oil on canvas, 2014, 24x36in

"Nowhere" by Olan Ventura
Acrylic on canvas, 2014, 36x24in

"Benguet Houses" by stevesantos
Water color on paper, 2010, 55 x 76 cms

It was about lunch time when we finished going around the museum so we decided to grab a bite at Cafe Sabel.We had Chicken Pesto Panini and Hungarian Sausage Pasta.

The cafe was pretty cozy. It was quaint and colorful, with a couple of paintings on the wall.

Lemongrass Iced Tea (Php 70)
Chicken Pesto Panini (Php 100)

Honestly, I don't know much about Benedicto Cabrera (Ben Cab). There was one thing I was curious about: Who is Sabel in Ben Cab's life? There were paintings of her or were named after her, the restaurant was named Cafe Sabel, it made me wonder who she was. His wife, his first love, his only love, his inspiration... his muse? Found the answer here.

[In 1964] Observes and sketches from his window in Bambang a bag lady/madwoman/scavenger named Sabel. To him she is a symbol of dislocation, despair& isolation – the personification of human dignity threatened by circumstances. Undergoing numerous transformations over the coming years, she becomes a landmark for every stylistic painting transition.

During his first solo exhibit of oil and acrylic paintings at Indigo Gallery in Mabini in 1966, he introduced the character of Sabel.

#cultured

I'm definitely going back to check out the Farm and Garden.