Tarlac City: Go Yellow at Aquino Museum

Museum Entrance (Aquino Museum, San Miguel, Tarlac City)

Located just meters away from Luisita Commercial Complex in Barangay San Miguel, Tarlac City. Inside is a vast, rich repository of information, photos, and memorabilia of the Aquinos – most notably Cory and Ninoy. The museum is full of information and very enlightening if you want to learn and (if you lived through the 80s) relive the nation’s contemporary history.

Even if you’re not a fan, walking inside the museum is a learning experience (Aquino Museum, San Miguel, Tarlac City)

The museum is vibrant and well-ventilated. You can feel the eerie silence, especially when there are just a few people, like the time when we made a visit. The museum is composed of four main sections:

I – Benigno S. Aquino Jr: Pre-Martial Law Years (1950-1971)
Through the photos and magazine clippings, you can glimpse on the fast-paced life of Ninoy. From being a war correspondent in Korea to his marriage with Cory, up to his entry to political life: becoming the youngest mayor at age 22, and youngest senator at 34. Also on display is the original Rolleiflex camera used by Ninoy in Korea.

Photograph of Cory and Ninoy’s Wedding (Aquino Museum, San Miguel, Tarlac City)

The original Rolleiflex camera (Aquino Museum, San Miguel, Tarlac City)

Panorama of the Museum (Aquino Museum, San Miguel, Tarlac City)

II – Benigno S. Aquino Jr.; Martial Law: Arrest, Exile, and Assassination (1972-1983)
Ninoy was an outspoken critic of the Marcoses, so when Martial Law was declared by Ferdinand Marcos in 1972 he was one of the first to be arrested and jailed. At the center is the mock-up of the cell where Ninoy was placed in solitary confinement in Fort Bonifacio from 1972-1980. Poems, letters and diaries written by Ninoy while incarcerated were also displayed.
The museum’s highlights – and the most chilling and most sorrowful – is Ninoy’s murder. His blood-stained clothes and the graphic photos of his death are gruesome to observe.

Mock-up of Ninoy’s cell (Aquino Museum, San Miguel, Tarlac City)

Ninoy’s diary (Aquino Museum, San Miguel, Tarlac City)

The bloodied inner garments of Ninoy (Aquino Museum, San Miguel, Tarlac City)

III – Corazon C. Aquino; People Power (1983-1986)
The death of Ninoy sparked a series of unrests that led to the People Power Revolution almost three years later. On display are photos and magazine clippings of the people’s support to topple the Marcos regime. While seeing the photos, you cannot avoid thinking of the songs like “Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo” or “Magkaisa”, songs very appropriate for the theme of Edsa.

One million signatures (Aquino Museum, San Miguel, Tarlac City)

IV – Corazon C. Aquino; President, Republic of the Philippines (1986-1982)
Shown here is Cory Aquino’s entry to politics from being just Ninoy’s housewife until her election as President. The original million-signatures are prominently displayed, together with her itinerary of sorties or rallies. Paintings made by Cory was also on display. Her six-year term as President was highlighted by medals, plaques, and various memorabilia.

Various medals and other memorabilia during Cory’s time (Aquino Museum, San Miguel, Tarlac City)

In as little as one hour you can cover the entire museum. Take note, that photography is forbidden (though we were allowed by the administration to take just a few certain parts). It is very informative and factual, giving an excellent and interesting historic visit on the life of two Filipino icons: Cory and Ninoy. Whether you’re a Dilawan or a Loyalist, you can learn a lot here. It is highly encouraged to visit here especially when traveling north.

More memorabilias (Aquino Museum, San Miguel, Tarlac City)

Cory’s painting (Aquino Museum, San Miguel, Tarlac City)

Disclaimer: Tupang Gala does not, in any way, endorse politicians, political ideologies, or affiliated in any political parties. ✌

ADMISSION

• P100 – Adult
• P50 – Student
  The museum is not funded by the government, but by the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation, a non-stock, non-profit organization.

Poster of Ninoy’s Assassination (Aquino Museum, San Miguel, Tarlac City)

DIRECTION

• Public:
  Take the bus going to Tarlac, and tell the driver to get you off at Luisita. From the corner, you can walk for 300 meters.
  If the bus is going from SCTEX and exiting at Hacienda Luisita, you can get off right at the Museum.
• Private:
  Take the NLEX/SCTEX northbound and exit at Hacienda Luisita (2.5 hrs from Manila). It is 7.6 kilometers from the Toll Gate. The road surrounded by the Hacienda Luisita sugarcane is well-maintained.

Bloodied garments of Ninoy in original state (Aquino Museum, San Miguel, Tarlac City)

MORE INFO

• Luisita Industrial Park Road, Luisita, San Miguel (103.39 km) 2301 Tarlac, Tarlac
• (045) 985 0968
• Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/AquinoCenterAndMuseum

The place is near Robinson’s Tarlac (Aquino Museum, San Miguel, Tarlac City)

QUIPS

• No brochures – you cannot take photos and yet they aren’t giving out any pamphlets
• Admission Price – I wish it could be made more affordable (if not free) especially for kids, to encourage the new generation
• Lack of audio-visual exhibitions

(Aquino Museum, San Miguel, Tarlac City)

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• Capas: Honouring the Fallen at Capas Shrine
• Bamban: Goshen Resort, A Glimpse of Rome in Tarlac
• San Jose: Chasing Sunset at the Lake
• Tarlac City: Go Yellow at Aquino Museum
• Gerona: Food and Fun in Isdaan Floating Restaurant

Belenisimo in Tarlac

MAP