After a hiatus of two and half years, Bahay Tsinoy: Museum of Chinese in Philippine Life will reopen to the public.
Located within the walled city of Intramuros, Bahay Tsinoy houses different galleries that showcase the rich history, influence, and contributions of the Chinese community to the Filipino way of life. It also has a library, a research and databank center, and an auditorium that can accommodate 380 people. It now has expanded sections that cover both the American and Japanese occupations.
The museum was inaugurated in 1999 as an initiative of the Kaisa para sa Kaunlaran, an organization that promotes the participation of Tsinoys in local and national development and their integration into mainstream Philippine society.
It closed down two years ago to undergo rehabilitation, and reopened on 28 August 2023, following a ceremony attended by Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian, and Manila Vice Mayor John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto.
Last Tuesday, 29 August 2023, the Manila City Council unanimously passed a resolution expressing its elation over the museum’s reopening.
“Isang malaking pakinabang po sa Lungsod ng Maynila ang pagbubukas muli ng museo dahil makakatulong ito upang maaalala ng ating mga kabataan ang kontribusyon ng mga Filipino-Chinese sa ating lungsod, at makakapagpatibay ito ng relasyon sa ating kapitbahay na bansa (The reopening of the museum will greatly benefit the City of Manila, as it will help our youth learn about the contributions of Chinese Filipinos to our city, and it will strengthen relations with our neighboring country)”, said 5th District Councilor Jaybee Hizon, author of the resolution, in his sponsorship speech.
The museum is open to the public Tuesdays through Sundays, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, for an entrance fee of ₱100 per person, with students enjoying a discounted rate of ₱60.
