museum tour – Jellybeans in the City

Step into the Omniverse, the metro’s ultimate pop culture museum

Imagine a place where the lines between reality and fantasy blur, where you can step into the worlds of your favorite movies, TV shows, and comics. Welcome to the Omniverse Museum, a captivating pop culture haven located in the heart of Makati, Philippines. This unique museum offers a magical journey through alternate realities and parallel dimensions, with interactive exhibits and mind-bending installations that bring your wildest fandom dreams to life.

This Saturday afternoon, I decided to take my boys – Dear Hubby, our son and our nephew – to Omniverse. Let me tell you about my family’s foray into this pop culture haven.

The Birth of a Pop Culture Wonderland

The Omniverse Museum opened its doors to the public on March 8, and since then, it has become a must-visit destination for fans of all ages. The brainchild of Ryan Sison, an avid collector and journalist, this museum is a testament to his 20-year passion for pop culture memorabilia. Partnering with the Philippine Amusement and Entertainment Corporation, Sison has created a space that is not only visually stunning but also educational.

Ryan’s collection, which began with action figures and comics, grew to include life-sized statues and rare artifacts. Faced with the challenges of space and the stigma of collecting, Ryan dreamed of sharing his passion with the world. The Omniverse Museum is the realization of that dream, a place where fans can immerse themselves in the lore and artifacts of their favorite franchises.

Ryan isn’t resting on his laurels, either. He plans to expand the museum’s collection and open more branches in the future. His vision is to keep the Omniverse Museum fresh and exciting for returning visitors, with new exhibits and updates regularly.

Where the fun’s at

Located in Japan Town on the fourth floor of Glorietta 2, Makati, the Omniverse Museum’s entrance stands out amidst the Japanese restaurants and cherry blossom decor. Inspired by the Sentinels from “X-Men: The Animated Series,” the entrance itself is a nod to the museum’s dedication to intricate and thematic design. It’s very much a portal to another world, much like the wardrobe in “The Chronicles of Narnia” or Platform 9¾ in “Harry Potter,” and marks the beginning of my family’s unforgettable adventure.

Inside the Omniverse

As soon as we stepped inside the lobby, staff members assisted us in checking in and securing a locker for my heavy bag (so I don’t have to walk around while lugging my stuff). Our journey began in the Briefing Chamber, where a giant screen presented a hologram version of Ryan Sison, setting the tone for the wondrous journey ahead.

Spread across 3,500 square meters, the museum is divided into more than 20 themed sections or “worlds,” each meticulously curated to transport visitors into different realms. Here are some highlights:

The Star Wars Collection

We journeyed into the galaxy far, far away and we came face to face with droids like C-3PO, R2-D2, and BB-8, you’ll marvel at busts of Baby Yoda, Darth Vader, and Boba Fett. The interactive Millennium Falcon cockpit offered educational audio and video materials, while exhibits like a model of the Millennium Falcon signed by Harrison Ford and various lightsabers with actor signatures left us giddy with excitement. Of course, we couldn’t miss the life-sized Jabba the Hutt created by Filipino artist Jose Manansala.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Get your wands at the ready when you step into the Great Hall of Hogwarts, complete with floating candles and characters from across the Harry Potter timeline, including The Boy Who Lived (of course!), He-Who-Must-Not-Be Named, Dobby the House-Elf and even Newt Scamander. The attention to detail, particularly in the miniature Hogwarts, will delight any Potterhead, making it a magical experience that reignites the longing for a Hogwarts letter, or at least, an invitation to the next Halloween or Yule feast.

Game of Thrones

Next, enter the world of Westeros. Sit on the Iron Throne and rule over the Seven Kingdoms. You can also check out miniatures of King of the North Jon Snow and Mother of Dragons Danaerys (Stormborn, First of her Name, The Unburnt, Queen of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, etc, etc), and give good-boy Drogon some well-deserved love (before he engulfs you in dragon-flame).

The Lord of the Rings

Journey right into Middle-Earth to face-off with a fearsome Balrog (nope, he still CANNOT PASS!), check out the iconic displays of Mount Doom and Barad-dûr topped by the Eye of Sauron and peek into a miniature of Rivendell. Gollum fans will be thrilled with three life-sized statues, and exhibits like Sauron’s gauntlet with the One Ring offer a deeper connection to the beloved series.

DC Superheroes

You will find several sections dedicated to the superheroes of DC comics and movies, including a Fortress of Solitude filled with various iterations of the Man of Steel, a snapshot of Themyscira where our favorite Amazonian princess stands guard, as well as the throne room of Atlantis defended by Aquaman and Mera.

When you enter the Bat Cave, you will be surrounded by life-sized figures of various versions of the Caped Crusader, a Batmobile, and Affleck’s Batman suit. The asylum section, with its dimmed prison cell design, houses Batman’s Rogues Gallery of supervillains like Heath Ledger’s Joker, Harley Quinn, and a scary Killer Croc barely restrained behind bars.

Marvel Superheroes

Marvel fans, on the other hand, can step out from magical portals into the Daily Bulgar (our local version of the newspaper Daily Bugle) to rendezvous with Spiderman or assemble with the other Avengers.

Meanwhile, Iron Man takes center stage in The Mechanic, featuring the Hall of Armor with 14 armors, including the Mark 44 Hulkbuster and Iron Patriot.

Anime Heaven

Anime fans shouldn’t feel left out either, as exhibits paying tribute to One Piece, Dragon Ball Z, One Punch Man and Naruto are here as well.

The Horrors

Before you leave, step into a haunted library filled with callbacks to horror-themed movies and shows: from Darkness of Legend (one of Tom Cruise’ first movies), Buffy, Spike and Angel of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Hellboy to the Gremlins.

Afterwards, traverse a graveyard populated by terror-inducing characters such as Freddy Krueger, It, Jason Voorhees, Annabelle, as well as the Vampires and Lycans of Underworld… that is, if you dare!

Beyond the optics

The Omniverse Museum isn’t just about visual spectacle; it’s a place of learning. Infographics and interactive activities are sprinkled throughout the exhibits, highlighting the science and technology that underpin these beloved stories. Dr. Lawrence Li Tan, CEO of the Philippine Amusement and Entertainment Corp., emphasized that the museum’s goal is to stimulate imagination and promote learning in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics (STEAM). It’s a great venue to get stimulate interest among our kiddos for the arts and sciences, isn’t it?

For me, the museum is a place to take part in my various fandoms – from movies and shows that shaped my childhood to pop culture moments that dominate the discussions at the office watercooler. It’s where I can allow my inner fangirl free rein to wonder and live within these wonderful worlds.

Tips for Your Visit

Planning to step into the Omniverse yourself? To fully enjoy your visit, be sure wear comfortable shoes and clothes, as the experience can take about two hours or more. Make sure your phone and/or camera is charged and bring a power bank – you’ll be snapping photos non-stop. Engage with the guides in each station (they’re game to provide you with a snippet or two of insider information about the exhibit or even take your photo). Take your time exploring each world, as you won’t be able to return once you’ve moved past a station.

Book Your Tickets Today

Ready to embark on this epic adventure? You can save Php300 (20% off the walk-in fee) when you book your tickets via TicketWavePH. Here’s how:

Go to TicketWavePH.com/beingjellybeans.
Select Omniverse.
Add your tickets to your cart.
Enter the promo code BEINGJELLYBEANS for additional 5% off.
Make Payment: Complete your purchase using GCash, Maya, Mastercard, VISA, or Amex.
Enjoy: Receive your e-tickets via email and get ready for an unforgettable day out.

The Omniverse Museum is a testament to the power of imagination and the joy of fandom. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just curious, it promises a day of wonder, learning, and fun. Don’t miss out on this unique experience that brings the fantastical to life.

Disclosure: Complimentary tickets provided by TicketWavePH.

Check out my previous post about TicketWavePH and its featured attractions:

Here’s how you can score discounted tickets to the metro’s top interactive museums with TicketWavePH

Travel across the Philippines in just 2 hours at Lakbay Museo

Like me, you might have been keeping your wanderlust contained for the past two years because of the pandemic.

It would be so good to be able to wander freely through many places, see the sights and get a much-needed change of scenery, wouldn’t it?

Well, given the still present threat of COVID-19, and the rising costs of travel due to soaring gas prices, we have no choice but to stay right where we are.

Or do we?

A visit to Lakbay Museo should soothe your need to wander.

The first PH interactive millennial museum

Lakbay Museo offers you a way to travel through our beautiful country in just a thousand steps. Over a two-hour time-frame, you can visit the majestic sights, delve into the rich culture, participate in the colorful festivals and get a slice of life from various parts of the country. This is done through fourteen unique experiences representing eleven exciting destinations around the country.

The museum also espouses the conservation of the environment, with nearly all of its exhibits built using 4,560 old and used tsinelas and scrap materials, 328 old rubber tires, 453 car mats, and other recyclable materials.

Plus, you get to take all the pictures you want for the ‘gram, with the museum’s IG-worthy displays as your backdrop!

Aside from the many photo opps that you can take inside Lakbay Museo, a visit here would definitely be perfect when you want to:

Dive into iconic locations and experiences such as the Tondo alleys, the cobbled streets of Calle Crisologo, the Panagbenga Festival in Baguio, religious and historic destinations such as the Barasoain Church in Bulacan and Magellan’s Cross in Cebu, the Mindanao Royal House and the country’s marine biodiversity, all without leaving the metro
Take a break from your usual haunts and go somewhere for a unique experience
Supplement your kids’ learnings from Sibika at Kultura outside of books and videos, using tangible objects and interactive materials
Introduce our varied, extraordinary and historic culture to returning balikbayans or friends from abroad

Immersive Pinoy experience

While strolling through the museum, you get to engage with various aspects of Pinoy life, a way of stepping out of your usual experiences and see the world from your fellow Pinoy’s eyes. These include:

… selling wares at the marketplace…

…reveling at the sheer variety of our local produce…

…and other aspects of life of many enterprising Pinoys through the ages.

Of course, the Pinoy life is not all work, work, work. Our lives have room for a touch of whimsy and the fantastical. From underwater creatures to floral bounties and floating horses, there are many things here to spark your imagination and fancy.

A sneak peek into the Pinoy’s rich and eclectic culture

What would a trip around the Philippines be without savoring its many cuisines? Regional delicacies are on full display, showcasing their particular culinary influences and practices.

From a room of floating lechon, a hanging flatlay of food to a long boodle table and a wide-set diorama explaining the nuances of local cuisines from thirteen different regions, the Pinoy’s love of food is quite evident.

Each region’s displays also showcase local color, products and crafts, from weaving to growing coffee, all highlighting the Pinoy’s penchant for creativity and craftsmanship.

Of course, all of these come into play during Pinoy-style celebrations where food, costumes, dances and songs abound.

So don’t fret about being stuck in the metro. There’s so much to see, do and experience at Lakbay Museo!

Lakbay Museo recently reopened at 2nd Floor Filipino Village, Ayala Malls Manila Bay Diosdado Macapagal Blvd, cor Aseana Ave, Paranaque City.

Book your tickets via TicketWavePH and use my code BEINGJELLYBEANS for additional discounts.

Know more about Lakbay Museo by following it on Facebook and Instagram.

Filipinos in the Gilded Age at the Leon Gallery

I’m the proud mom of a self-proclaimed art freak. My baby girl, Mica, has been going on and on about this art exhibit in Makati. Since I found myself with a bit of free time, I decided to indulge her new interest and together, we checked out the Filipinos in the Gilded Age exhibit at the Leon Gallery.

Walking into the gallery is like being transported back in time. The gallery was dressed up as a well-appointed colonial room, making it feel like we were stepping into a 19th-century Filipino home. Mica’s eyes lit up as she eagerly pulled me towards the paintings, her excitement contagious.

The exhibit features artworks of Filipino artists during the 19th century, showcasing the oeuvre of illustrious ilustrados such as Juan Luna, Damian Domingo, Jose Taviel de Andrade, and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, among others. These pieces depict scenes of colonial Philippines as well as the faces and views encountered by these artist-ilustrados in their European travels.

Mica waxed poetic about Hidalgo’s sweeping seascape and Luna’s brooding portrait of a Spanish noblewoman, her eyes wide with admiration and her words tumbling out in an enthusiastic rush. I found myself particularly drawn to Hidalgo’s impressionistic depictions of women in natural settings, their ethereal beauty captured with delicate brushstrokes. Equally captivating were the anito-ish renditions of religious icons, blending indigenous spirituality with colonial influences.

The exhibit raised intriguing questions about identity and artistic expression. It highlighted how these Filipino artists, inspired by the Hapsburg imagination and the beauty of the Baroque and Rococo styles, managed to blend Western techniques with their own cultural narratives. This fusion of influences is a testament to their resilience and creativity, forging a unique Filipino identity in the face of colonial domination.

As I stood before these masterpieces, I couldn’t help but reflect on the journey of our ancestors—how they adapted, resisted, and ultimately created something profoundly their own. The exhibit seeks to provide this generation’s new breed of artists a glimpse into the legacy of past masters and a peek into the struggles of Filipino artists in forging an identity amidst colonial rule.

On the 155th birthyear of José Rizal, the consummate and quintessential ilustrado, we salute all his comrades in the arts. The exhibit beautifully honors their contributions and the rich cultural heritage they helped to shape.

Our visit to the Filipinos in the Gilded Age exhibit was a deeply enriching experience. It not only allowed me to bond with Mica over our shared appreciation of art but also offered us both a profound connection to our history and heritage. As we left the gallery, Mica’s excitement was palpable, her mind buzzing with new ideas and inspirations.

Filipinos in the Gilded Age is on show at the Leon Gallery located at G/F Corinthian Plaza, Paseo de Roxas, Legaspi Village, Makati City until July 20. Entrance is free. Whether you’re an art aficionado or simply curious about our nation’s past, this exhibit is a must-see.