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:
Jellybeans in the City 