Human drama, historical dioramas

MANILA, Philippines - Ayala Museum recently launched its new audio guide for “The Diorama Experience.”

For the past 35 years, the Ayala Museum has captivated generations of visitors with its diorama exhibit. Featuring 60 hand-carved scenes depicting important milestones in the history of the Philippines and conceptualized by National Artist for Historical Literature and the first museum director Carlos Quirino, the dioramas form the core of Ayala Museum’s historical collection. And now, thanks to the generous support of the Catawamteak Fund, visitors have a new way to experience this exhibition via the newly-launched audio guide.

“The Diorama Experience” exhibition has been synonymous with the Ayala Museum for the past 35 years. The 60 dioramas are designed to be a comprehensive visual approach to Philippine history. But more than that, they present the narrative of the story of the Philippine people in a way that compresses extensive research on the events, architecture, costumes, technologies and topographies of the times they represent.

The idea of building Philippine historical dioramas was first conceived by the artist Fernando Zobel. In 1967, Enrique Zobel, Jaime Zobel de Ayala and Carlos Quirino began deliberations on which historical events to portray.

Extensive historical research was undertaken to form the visual composition of each diorama. Visual studies by various artists were submitted and by a process of elimination, five artists were selected and hired for the project: Simeon Abaya, Tam Austria, Mamerto Evangelista, Amorsolo Tuazon, and Guillermo Veloso.

After the studies have been completed, the actual construction of the dioramas began. The figurines are made of baticulin wood and were hand-carved in Paete, Laguna. The diorama were completed and installed in Ayala Museum’s old building along Makati Avenue in June 1974. In 2004, the dioramas were moved to Ayala Museum’s present location at the corner of Makati Ave. and Dela Rosa Street.

Since they were first installed, the dioramas of Ayala Museum have been seen by over a million museum guests. 

Each audio guide unit has a narration for all the dioramas, explaining the events as they have been depicted; all to an original score composed by Juan de Guzman. The audio guide is narrated by famed broadcaster Mari Kaimo and features the voices of Jaime Fabregas, Roy Alvarez, Yan Yuzon, Miren Fabregas, and Paolo Fabregas. Audio guide units are now available for rent at the Ground Floor Lobby counter of Ayala Museum at P100 for adults and P50.00 for students and senior citizens.