The Belen Museum: A Preliminary Compilation and Description of its Historical Background and Museum Collection

Abstract

The study of the Belen Museum is fundamental in the documentation of the beginnings of the museum and in its initial phase of museum operations. It gives the readers an overview of the Belen Museum's history and owner and founder. A narration of the Belen collection inside the Belen Museum is also incorporated in this study. Furthermore, Belen Museum management practices and the key institutions and individuals which influence and affect the Belen Museum as a newly-established institution are also written in this paper. The writing of this paper responds to the need of the Local City Government of Marikina, particularly the Marikina Cultural, Tourism, Trade and Investments and Promotions Office (MCTTIPO) in answering the need for the Belen Museum’s documentation purposes and promotions. The study provides data about the Belen Museum and its functions to the owner of the Belen Collection, to MCTTIPO and to the rest of the community. Data — gathering such as on-site observations in the locale during the NSTP 2006 summer course held at Marikina City, archival and electronic research, personal interviews, obtaining photographic and video images are some of the methods used by the researcher. Collected data were organized to provide basic documentation for the Belen Museum and further analyzed according to standards set by established institutions such as the International Council for Museums (ICOM) and National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). The researcher discovered a new concept of a museum that !s, to some extent, different from the standard definitions of a museum set by ICOM. The emergence of the community — based museums in the Philippines, particularly in Marikina City, offers a new dimension to the definition of museums. This is crucial in the defined set of parameters that ICOM and the Handbook for Philippine Museums have agreed upon. Aside from the Belen Museum, there are also other museums in the Philippines similar to this new concept. This study shall serve as a catalyst in endorsing the community — based museums that exist in the Philippines.