Mayor Joy Belmonte is open to Quezon City hosting a public archeological museum, as Antique Representative Loren Legarda suggested, to help promote knowledge about the country’s heritage and cultural evolution.
“If (the) national government is willing to have a branch museum in Quezon City, as you know my first love is heritage management, we’ll be happy to host something like that,” Belmonte said during the “Stories for a Better Normal” online discussion on urban mobility.
She said Quezon City already has a museum of social history at the Quezon Memorial Circle.
However, Belmonte said Quezon City doesn’t have an archeological museum even as the city has few archeological sites.
The city’s previously excavated artifacts haven’t been located yet, she continued.
In contrast, she said Manila has a number of archeological sites and artifacts.
“We urge Manila to build an archeological museum because they have much more archeological materials in Intramuros and other old sites.”
“We urge Manila to build an archeological museum because they have much more archeological materials in Intramuros and other old sites while Quezon City is relatively new,” Belmonte stressed.
Intramuros is the fortified walled city which was built by the Spaniards during the 16th century, replacing Manila’s pre-hispanic settlement along Manila Bay.
Archeology is the scientific study of tools, pottery, and other material remains to better understand both ancient and recent human past.
Legarda said the archeological museum Belmonte suggested for Manila can still be located in Quezon City.
“Such a museum can house archeological artifacts, research, and findings and can be a research center for the National Capital Region,” the veteran legislator suggested during the online discussion, referring to the area also known as Metro Manila.
“The museum does not have to be limited to Metro Manila alone, it can be for the whole country so that there will be a place and that can be in Quezon City.”
The seasoned lawmaker said the museum “does not have to be limited to Metro Manila alone, it can be for the whole country so that there will be a place and that can be in Quezon City”.
According to Quezon City LGU’s website, the educational credentials of Belmonte include a master’s degree in philosophy from University College London’s Institute of Archeology and a master’s degree in museum studies from UK-based Leicester University.
