Movable cultural objects and the museums in which they are conserved constitute exceptional

repositories of cultural diversity. As points of access for knowledge about cultures and centres of
formal and non-formaleducation, museums also contribute to mutual understanding and social
cohesion as well as economic and human development. UNESCO
PALAWAN is, indeed, increasingly being recognized nationwide and internationally as a prime
tourist destination. The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is currently a nominee to
the New 7 Wonders of Nature and is inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List, together with
the Tubbataha Reefs. El Nido, Palawan was featured in the Leg 12 of the Amazing Race Season 5
where the teams had to climb a 150-foot (46m) rock wall (Lagen wall) and find their next clue in
one of four giant clams. Ploning, a film shot in the island of Cuyo, Palawan, is the Official Entry of the
Philippines to the to the 81st Academy awards (OSCARS) for the Best Foreign Language Film
Category. But despite its increasing prestige, most people are still unaware that Palawans cultural
and historical resources are as rich and diverse as its natural resources.
Palawan is home to 87 different cultural groups and races. It is home to 3 national cultural
treasures . The Tagbanuas, one of the indigenous groups in Palawan, are one of the few remaining
ethnolinguistic groups in the Philippines that use a type of syllabic writing in the country prior to
the coming of the Spaniards, which has been declared in 1999 by UNESCO as Memory of the
World. The Manunggul Jar discovered in Quezon, Palawan is one of our solid proofs that we are
from the Austronesian group of people. Pots, jewelry, language, musical instruments in Palawan
speak of a rich multicultural society with a long history.
THE PALAWAN MUSEUM AS A SOCIAL INSTITUTION
Museums, among many others, are means to showcase information found in artifacts and in the
other creations of both man and nature in the past and in the present. These information are
important for individuals and groups to learn something about their past, which they can use in
understanding the present and in rewriting their own history.
The Palawan Museum was created in 1991 with a vision of serving as a center and repository of
relics and artifacts in Palawan, as a genuine source of the rich natural and historical legacy of
Palawan and as a source of a growing collection and reference on Palawans cultural heritage.
In line with this vision, the Palawan Museum recognizes the NEED FOR INFORMATION found in
artifacts to be SHARED to the PUBLIC not only as a source of entertainment or nice-to-know trivia
but also for the public to understand and recreate their identity.
With our sections namely the anthropology, archaeology, biology, ethnology and historical sections,
we are hoping that we are able to create an interest, keep the interest and make our visitors aware
of the value of our heritage. Please check the Categories box and click on the Sections link to get
more information about these sections.
A Library is also found at the Palawan Museum which is composed of donations from our partners
of hard-to-find books on archeology, history, culture, ethnology, anthropology about Palawan and
about the world.
THE PALAWAN MUSEUM AS AN ECONOMIC INSTITUTION
The Palawan Museum is an economic institution as much as it is a social institution. With the
decline of public interest in visiting museums in the Philippines, more lay-offs for their employees
follow. It is thus trying to find ways on how to make the museum financially sustainable and not
just rely on public support for its operational expenditures. The Museum is currently strengthening
its ties with tour operators, teachers, different individuals and groups in the province of Palawan,
aggressively marketing its services through this site and through other promotional activities,
increasing the coverage of our exhibits by creating a CUYONON SECTION, and opening our
membership and the museum to interested individuals or groups who want to tie up with the
museum for events in Palawan.
COLLECTIONS
HISTORICAL SECTION
The introduction of Christianity to Palawan in the 15th century is not only of religious significance
but also of international historical significance. Because of this, Palawan became the first Catholic
province in the whole of Asia.

ANTHROPOLOGY SECTION
This section features the skullcap of the Tabon Man unearthed by Robert Fox of Quezon, Palawan in
1962 and is the paramount feature of the museum. This fossil which was dated by radio+carbon-14
technique to be around 23,000 years old is internationally recognized as the first Filipino



ARCHAEOLOGY SECTION
The focal point of this section is the Manunggul burial jar carbon-dated to the late Neolithic Period.
The cover features a ship of the dead with 2 oarsmen. This is the only jar of this period that has
been recovered intact therefore it has been declared a National Cultural Treasure. This is also the
logo of the Palawan Museum.
Other features of this section include jars from the Sung Dynasty (960-1279) recovered from land
and underwater excavations in Southern Palawan and blue and white porcelain from the Ming
Dynasty (1368-1644).

BIOLOGY SECTION
The Museum keeps a collection of marine shells that can be found in Palawan including the very
rare Conus Gloria Maris and the Golden Cowrie.

ETHNOLOGY SECTION
The Museums ethnological exhibits showcase cultural materials from the paraphernalia of a
significant ritual like the Pagdiwata of the Tagbanua to ordinary tools, fishing and hunting
equipment baskets, woven out of indigenous materials colored with natural dyes that retain their
color even under the heat of the
sun.

Another featured sub-section is
the part of the exhibit of Nicole
Revel-Mcdonald at the Cultural
Center of the Philippines titled
Pananw Palawan. This exhibit
focuses on the oral tradition of
the Palawan highlighting various
aspects of their cultural life.


THE LIBRARY
The museum is home to hard-to-
find books on Philippine and
Palawan history, anthropology,
archaeology, entomology,
literature, and flora and fauna.
The museum charges a minimal
amount for the use of the library. (Click the link below to download the list of our collection of
books).


A BRIEF PROFILE OF THE NATURAL AND HISTORICAL
FOUNDATION OF PALAWAN AND THE CITY OF PUERTO
PRINCESA, INC.
Vision:
The officers and members envision with deep optimism, the creation and organization of the
foundation and a museum and library, to serve as center and repository of relics and
artifacts as well as a genuine source of the rich natural and historical legacy and source of a
growing collection and reference on Palawans cultural heritage.
The protection, conservation and preservation of the local and national patrimony are likewise
hopefully expected.
Purpose of Incorporation:
1. To undertake, promote, directly finance and/or assist projects in relation with the Natural and
historical wealth and heritage of the Province of Palawan and the City of Puerto Princesa.
2. To promote, assist and directly finance the establishment and maintenance of the museum and
library.
3. To develop, promote and distribute learning materials pertinenet to its objectives.
4. To assist the government in its program to promote tourism.
OBJECTIVES
1. To promote among Palawenos in particular and Filipinos in general a deeper understanding and
appreciation of Palawans rich natural, cultural and historical heritage and patrimony.
2. To develop positive behavioral/attitudinal change in visitors and tourists view about Palawan
and Puerto Princesa City.
3. To provide cultural awareness for the intellectual enrichment of our future generation.
Brief Description:
In 1986, the Committee on Education, Culture and Arts of the Puerto Princesa City Council, led by
Hon. Antonio P. Romasanta, Sr. Chairman, and Hon. Carolina F. San Juan, Vice Chairman, organized
the Natural and Historical Foundation of the City of Puerto Princesa through a resolution, with the
approval of the City Mayor.
On September 1, 1987, the Foundation was created by virtue of Executive order No. 20 and signed
by Hon. Alfred E. Abueg Jr., then city Mayor, for the establishment of a museum and library to serve
as a repository of relics and artifacts and a venue of information on the rich historical, cultural and
natural heritage of the city.
The expansion of the scope of the foundation was decided, and on April 20, 1989, it was registered
with the Securities and Exhange Commision as the Natural and Historical Foundation of Palawan
and the City of Puerto Princesa, Inc.












The Museum

The Palawan Museum was opened at the Old City Hall on March 4, 1991, through the kind
assistance of Mrs. Cecille B. Mitra, Honorary Chairman, to coincide with the Foundation Anniversary
of the City of Puerto Princesa, in the presence of the city government officials led by Mayor and Mrs.
Feliberto Oliveros and Comelec Comissioner Alfredo Abueg Jr.
On its first year, promotion drives were undertaken and on its first Anniversary of the Palawan
Museum, the old City Hall was fully occupied by the Museum, after it was renovated through
financial assistance from the Countrywide Development Funds of Congressman Alfredo E. Abueg Jr.
of the Second District of Palawan. On the same occasion, the Memorandum of Agreement was
signed between the City Government and the Foundation, leasing the building to the Foundation for
25 years and embodying the pledge of financial support by the City Government through City Mayor
Edward S. Hagedorn.
Since its establishment the Foundation has embarked on the following:
1. Networking with the National Museum, National Commision for Culture and The Arts (NCCA),
National Historical Institute (NHI), National Library, Department of Tourism (DOT), and other
museums in the country.
2. It is a member of the Philippine Association of Museum Inc. (PAMI) and actively participates in
the Annual Museum Congresses.
3. It has co-sponsored Annual Historical Conferences of the Philippine Historical Association,
National Commision for Culture and the Arts, Philippine Assoication of Museum, Inc. and National
Historical Institute in Palawan.
4. It has facilitated the recognition of important historical sites in the province by the NHI whereby
historical markers had been installed such in the Taytay Fort, the landing of the 1st Phil-Am radio
operators which paved the way for the installation of communication system during World War 2
and resulted in the liberation of Palawan and Panay from japanese forces.
5. Staged the ethnic Cuyuno Cultural Festival in coordination with Cuyo and Magsaysay local
government.
6. It has encouraged and promoted local artists by making the museum available for their exhibits;
conducted art workshops among students and out-of school youth and conducted annual historical
contest for the past 10 years.
7. Established a plant nursery after winning a project proposal from the Pacific Asia Travel
Association (PATA) Foundation. This is intended for the purpose of planting forest tree species in
the failed cultural village project, but the nursery has been continued for educational purposes
source of seedlings for their annual tree planting project for the past 3 years and can be one source
of funds for the maintennance of the museum.
8. Registered artifacts excavated in the province and coordinated with the National Museum for the
issuance of permits for excavation.
9. Enjoined law enforcement agencies in the protection, preservation of our cultural resources.
10. Sponsored the printing of book entitled Puerto Princesa During the Second World War.. A
Narrative History, a compilation of events, war experiences and personal testimonies edited by Mrs.
Carolina F. San Juan.































RESEARCH IN
DESIGN 4
PALAWAN MUSEUM



SUBMITTED BY: CHIARA JAYNE G.BALUYUT
SUBMITTED TO: ARCH. NORILYN T. EVANGELIO