LIST: Must-visit institutions in the Philippines to learn more about Chinese history
The Filipino-Chinese community in the Philippines is a significant part of the nation. Their presence is evident in various aspects of Filipino life, such as food, traditions, infrastructure, and even practices and beliefs.
This rich heritage is further explored and celebrated through museums and institutions dedicated to the Fil-Chi community across the Philippines. Not only do they offer valuable insights into their history and culture, but they also allow for a deeper understanding of their significant contributions to the country.
Here are some places that you can go to:
Bahay Tsinoy
Located in Intramuros, Bahay Tsinoy is the place to go if you want to discover the influence and contributions of the ethnic Chinese in the culture, history, and national identity of the Philippines.
It highlights the unique blending of Filipino and Chinese cultures through its numerous sections that hold valuable items and artifacts. Here you can see photos depicting old Chinese occupations and the streets of Binondo, artifacts showing centuries of trade between China and the Philippines, and more.
For a more comprehensive history lesson, there is Bahay Tsinoy’s Chinben See Memorial Library, which houses 8,000 books, documents, and other articles on the Chinese in the Philippines and other parts of the world. Additionally, it has a collection of books on Philippine society, economy, culture, and politics.
The museum has an admission fee of P100 for adults and P60 for children.
Chinatown Museum
Binondo is renowned for being the oldest Chinatown in the world ever since it was established in 1594, which is why it’s only right that a heritage and community space has been built for people to know its long history.
Chinatown Museum allows you to explore 18 galleries that narrate the social, cultural, economic, political, and religious aspects of Binondo and how it evolved from a settlement of Christianized Chinese to the centralized business hub it is today.
Here, you can learn about the famous Binondo Church, the Real Alcaiceria de San Fernando, the district’s industrial history, its reputation as a culinary hotspot, and more through the exhibits.
Chinatown Museum is located at 4F North Wing, Lucky Chinatown, Reine Regente St., Binondo, Manila. It has an admission fee of P150 for adults, P120 for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, and P100 for students.
Sugbu Chinese Heritage Museum
The Sugbu Chinese Heritage Museum is the first museum that focuses on the Chinese community in Cebu and strives to be the "leading institution in the appreciation, preservation, and promotion of the Chinese-Cebuano heritage and cultures."
The museum was established as Cebu has a long history of relations with China and other Southeast Asian countries, with evidence showing active trade relations between them.
Through research, curation, and exhibition, the establishment offers visitors a rich educational experience about the 500 years of Chinese presence in the province, beginning with the 10th century pre-colonial Cebu up to the contemporary period.
Sugbu Chinese Heritage Museum is located at the Gotiaoco Building right across from Cebu City Hall. It has an admission fee of P120 for foreign visitors, P75 for local visitors, and P60 for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and students.
Taoist Temple
A museum is not the only place that can quench your thirst for knowledge. Visiting a temple, like the Cebu Taoist Temple, can pave the way for spiritual and cultural education.
Built by the Chinese Filipino community living in the province back in 1972, both worshipers and non-worshipers are welcome to visit the temple, where they can gain insights into Taoism, an ancient Chinese philosophy and religion attributed to Lao Tzu.
Witness firsthand the rituals being practiced by devotees, such as the climbing 81 steps to light joss sticks and fortune-telling.
Visitors can also marvel at the temple's entrance, which pays homage to the Great Wall of China. There's also a chapel, library, souvenir shop, and wishing well in the compound.
The Cebu Taoist Temple is located in the Beverly Hills Subdivision in Lahug, Cebu City. You won't have to break open your wallet as the entrance is free.
Seng Guan Temple
Seng Guan Temple is another major cultural center for the Filipino-Chinese community as it is one of the biggest Buddhist temples in the Philippines.
Established by members of the Chinese Buddhist Society led by Wu Jianglu and Wang Zhenwen, the temple is where Chinese Filipinos go to pray for a prosperous year as well as honor their nearest and dearest who have passed away.
The place also holds many murals that showcase the different scenes from Buddha’s life, as well as rooms dedicated to chanting sutras and prayers.
Seng Guan Temple is located on Narra Street, near Divisoria, in Tondo, Manila.
