Silangan Gardens: Pinto Art Museum of Antipolo, Rizal

Geejay Gelogo 

Though I don't have a talent for arts, I can say, I do have a huge interest and appreciation for it. I've been eagerly wanting to visit an art museum located in Antipolo City after hearing raving reviews about the place from the blog community and friends. The museum is named as Pinto Art Museum (PAM). However, due to my piled up personal commitments, plans of going there has always been put aside and on-hold.
But last weekend, as the sun settled high on the blue skies, I decided to bring my girlfriend and set the site of Pinto Art Museum to be the venue of our post-Valentines date. And I must say that it was definitely a right move.How to get there?From Araneta - Cubao [MRT], take an FX ride having a signboard of Antipolo located in the side of Araneta Center. Then just inform the FX driver to drop you off at the "kanto" of Ynares.
As you reach the "kanto" of Ynares, take a tricycle going to Grand Heights (a subdivision where Pinto Art Museum is situated). Let know your driver that you are heading to Pinto Art Museum and they'll take you there in no time. The museum has been a popular destination on the area that most of the local drivers of Antipolo knew the museum very well.
Tricycle ride is 40 pesos (one-way - it is not per head but per ride) and will only take 5-7 minutes.Pinto Art Museum is a space in Antipolo City that houses present day arts worked by different local artists. If you're wondering where does its name comes from, well, "pinto" is a Tagalog word for door as this place is open for all types of contemporary art form.

Entrance of Pinto Art Museum

Going back to my visit, as I set my feet on the entrance of Pinto Art Museum and looked at it from the outside, I would never have thought that the other side of their small door is a 1.2 hectare property which cages over 300 art pieces, installations and sculptures.
The simplicity of their entrance is far way beyond of what's inside.As we went inside Pinto Art Museum, we were greeted by Mr. Andy Orencio which is the resident gardener slash one of the contributor of the museum. Yup, he's one of the brilliant artist whose paintings are displayed in this place.
After the warm welcome, he directed us to the registration area and paid 150 pesos each for the entrance fee. He then gave us 2 pieces of papers which is a map. After some chitchat with Mr. Orencio, our exploration to Pinto Art Museum began.

Shot outside Pinto Cafe

I love shooting her on frames

Me and my girlfriend were actually jumping because of our excitement as we tour the place. Take note, we were still near the entrance yet we can't stop to fall in love with each other with the place. Aside from the massive collection of paintings and sculptures, Pinto Art Museum is also a huge garden with lots of art pieces placed perfectly around it.
I was blown away with the ambiance and the architectural structure of PAM. Every detail of this place were well thought -- the white museum wings, the antique doors and windows, the chapel, its pond, even the rooftops... I mean all of them!

Chapel inside Pinto Art Museum

One of the beautiful hallway

Even the roof top has art pieces and sets

More rooftop shot

Writing this blog post and putting into words my experienced on Pinto Art Museum is really challenging on my part. I am running out of words to describe how beautiful and impressive the place is and most specially the art pieces displayed and hanged on the walls of this museum. I really recommend that you visit Pinto Art Museum and see its elegance for yourself.

Isn't it amazing?

"Duminicum Eskulentum" by Emmanuel Garibay

One of the wire art pieces of that room

Typical scene in the street

This is really amazing in-person

Mother Nature

"We are here together forever until the world will be verge of sorrow" by Constantino Zicarelli

"Katapusan" by Jerson Samson

Although I have seen Pinto Art Museum on different blog niches, seeing it in personal still makes me go WOW. It is a haven for photography. Every corner of this place is shutter click worthy.

Small figurines in the garden

With the beauty this place holds, I was not surprised when I saw couples doing their shoots for prenup in the garden of PAM. Of course we didn't yielded with those couples and did our own version of prenup. Self timer mode, run, then pose... whuuwalah! Instant "pacute" shots!

She read... I don't

Paintings are located into different wings. Each wing is interesting and has an entertaining room. Every room in Pinto Art Museum never failed to amaze me. The "Usapang Babae room, the "Forest Room", the downward hallway with impressive paintings on the its side, the "Panalo (swim, bike, run)” painting, the room that holds a colossal 480-inch long x 144-inch wide mural entitled “Karnabal” and more!

"Panalo (swim, bike, run)”

Biggest mural i saw!

See how big it is?

Natural light hitting her beautifully

Creepiest room I've been to in my 24 years of existence!!!

By the way, there is also a cafe inside Pinto Art Museum. It is located right after Museum 2. Its a bit pricey so I suggest to packed your own food as you visit the museum.Their menu is named, "Siraulo". I was curious about its name because it means crazy mind in Tagalog so I asked the attendant why their menu is named like that.
She answered me that its name was given by Dr. Joven Cuanang, a neurologist slash gallery owner. Dr. Cuanang believes that intense people or crazy minded people have the most artistic mind. Having said that by a highly-accomplished neurologist, well I guess I am an artist myself. Lol! Or am I an exception and just plainly crazy! Haha

Feels like home...

Pinto Cafe from the outside

We stayed at Pinto Art Museum for more than 3 hours and I didn't feel bored during our stay. With the energy I have that day, I wish this place is a 4 or 5 hectares property because I wanted to see more. More paintings and art pieces from our local artists.
It actually makes me proud to see all the works in this place were made by my fellow Kababayan. I salute every artist who put and shared their talents and build this site! I can say that museum hopping is fun in Antipolo, Rizal! Hopefully more site like this will be established in the Philippines.

Do I look bored here?