Justine E.
Yelp
BenCab museum is a must-visit destination if you're looking for an all-out art museum experience here in the Philippines. If you're coming from Manila, it will take you a couple of hours to get here, but I promise you that it will be worth it. Make that trip to Baguio extra educational, and soak up some culture!
This museum has several floors featuring Bencab's extensive collection of art from local indigenous artifacts and antiques to this national artist's personal creations, as well as well-curated collections of artworks from other local artists, both traditional and contemporary. Bencab aims to impress, and he surely delivers.
If, for some strange incomprehensible reason you can't/don't appreciate art (I saw some people just SITTING THERE on the museum benches, looking bored. WHY?!?!? HOW!?!? Jeezuz!), then you can wander around his impressive landscaped garden that features lush greenery, fish ponds, and even a hanging bridge (if you dare to ignore the "off limits" sign leading here), framed by the beautiful, mountainous backdrop. There is also Cafe Sabel (named after his muse, which of course you already know) that serves local fare and fresh dishes made from produce from his garden, and a souvenir shop with some interesting finds.
However, if there's one thing I did not enjoy about this place, it's that it can get PACKED. Well, I went here during holiday season and that's to be expected. I suggest you visit this place on a non-holiday weekday or off-season weekend. I believe the artworks in this place are best enjoyed in solitude.