LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—The Banaan Pangasinan Provincial Museum, a legacy project of Governor Ramon Guico III, is attracting not just local but more foreign audience, the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO) said this week.
PTCAO head Maria Luisa A. Elduayan said the museum recorded a total of 9,178 visitors since its launching on September 11, 2023 up to December 29 last year.
In addition the museum has served some 8,320 guests to include foreign visitors from the United States of America, followed by Denmark, Korea and Indonesia.
It was also visited by guests from the small Pacific country of Samoa, France, Japan, Vietnam, Bulgaria, Britain, Thailand, Malaysia, and Germany since its opening.
Through online visitor registration, the Banaan Museum which is housed at the historic Casa Real in Lingayen, has attracted visitors to come in droves.
Elduayan reported that most of the guests in 2024 are females numbering to 5,337, while male visitors numbered to 2,983.
The age bracket, on the other hand, showed that majority of the visitors belong to the 11-20, mostly students, and 21-30 years old or the working adults age brackets.
Visitors, who came from Cebu, Zamboanga del Norte, Negros Occidental, Iloilo,Baguio City, Masbate Province, neighboring La Union Province, Tarlac, Zambalaes, Laguna, Quirino Province, Tuguegarao City, Laguna, Paranaque, Pasig, Mandaluyong, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Aurora Province, Quezon City, Cavite, Kalinga, and Pasay City, also personally experienced Pangasinan culture through the visuals presented in the 11 fascinating museum galleries.
The 11 galleries showcase a wide range of artifacts, artworks, installations, and interactive displays.
It can be recalled that during the museum’s first year anniversary, Governor Ramon V. Guico III emphasized the relevance of having local museums. Guico said that the structure symbolizes the identity of Pangasinan as it likewise serve as doorway to understanding the province’s culture, history, and arts.
“If there is no museum, a person wouldn’t know who they are. You would have a lost identity, with no knowledge of your culture or history. This is why museums are so important, “ the governor earlier said.
Meanwhile, visitors may also patronize the Museum Shop where local products such as blade-crafts and eco-crafts made of bamboo, buri and rattan bags, and upcycled wood and artworks can be bought.
In addition, 24 active concessionaires from different localities in Pangasinan are also available to offer refreshment.
For the period January to December 2024, the Banaan Museum Entrance Collections amounted to P616,370.00. On the same period, the Museum Shop net income was P94,137.00
Museum entrance rates are P200 for Adults/Tourists; P160 for Senior Citizens and Persons With Disability; P100 for Children/Students. (Ruby F. Rayat/PIMRO)
