Virtual Tour

Social history is the study of everyday life over time. It deals with the rich and vibrant lives of ordinary people – their belief systems, houses and belongings, clothing, food and utensils, art forms and leisure, relations with families, neighbours and the community, nature and their surroundings – and how these have changed, remained or disappeared.

The Museo ng Kasaysayang Panlipunan ng Pilipinas provides a glimpse of Filipino social history in the past and today. It is housed in the mansion built by Mariano Pamintuan and Valentina Torres in 1890 as a wedding gift to their son, Florentino. The mansion has since served various uses:

Headquarters of General Antonio Luna in April 1899; Seat of the Philippine republic in May 1899; Site of the first anniversary celebration of the declaration of Philippine independence on 12 June 1899; Headquarters of General MacArthur in November 1899; Station occupied by Japanese Kamikaze pilots during the Second World War; Club house of the United Services Organization, Inc. between 1946 to 1947; and Hotel in 1949.

The mansion also changed hands. In 1959, the Pamintuan’s sold the mansion to Pedro Tablante, who leased the property to the local government in 1964. The Central Bank of the Philippines acquired the house in 1981 and used it as its regional office from 1993 to 2009. Through a memorandum agreement dated 17 June 2010, the ownership of the mansion was transferred to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, where it now stands as a museum.

The museum focuses on different aspects of Filipino life: Gallery 1. History of the mansion from its construction in 1890 to the present. Gallery 2. Various Philippine textiles, accessories, and weaving tools. Gallery 3. Filipino clothing styles from the earliest period until today through artistic renditions of local fashion and culture. Gallery 4. Architectural styles across the archipelago using scale models of traditional Filipino houses. Gallery 5. Bedroom furniture of a 19th century, well-appointed bahay na bato. Gallery 6. Filipino musical compositions in 1896 to popular music heard today, with individual listening facilities for listening to selected songs. Gallery 7. Different traditional Filipino games. Gallery 8. Philippine mythological creatures. Gallery 9. Traditional Filipino kitchen and various utensils, everyday market scenes, and contemporary food.

Other facilities include an audio-visual room that features a brief video introducing the museum, a room for lectures and other public programs, an e-learning room for online lessons on the history of the Philippines, and electronic tablets that provide assorted information about Filipino houses, furniture, and music.

The Museo ng Kasaysayang Panlipunan ng Pilipinas offers an exciting panorama of Filipino life and culture, before and today, that uniquely describe the Filipino.

To arrange a visit to the Museo ng Kasaysayang Panlipunan ng Pilipinas, please call (045) 9630641 / 09323943601 /09914817589 or email mpsh@nhcp.gov.ph @museumofphilippinesocialhistory Sto. Entierro St. cor. Miranda St. Angeles City, Pampanga Museum Curator: Ms. Bettina Arriola Telephone Number: (045) 9630641 Cellphone Number:  09323943601 /09914817589 Open from Tuesday to Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.