Do you want to see a tamaraw skeleton or a king cobra prepared to attack? Do you want to see an assembly of remarkable rocks and sea shells? These and other things that have formed Mother Nature can be found here at the UPLB Museum of Natural History!
The Museum of Natural History was established on September 30, 1976 by the University of the Philippines. It has a varied collection that showcases the Philippines’ rich biodiversity. It consists of preserved biological and zoological specimens, by-products of microorganism and serves as a reference for documentation, research, and information.
The Museum of Natural History is a continuation of our (me and my family) tour on Mount Makiling forest reserve. It is just a few meters away from the Makiling Botanic Garden and can be seen on the left side of the road when going up the mountain.
Curiosity to see the collections has brought us here. The museum at that time was really crowded. A school was presently conducting their educational field trip when we got there. Although jam-packed, we are not disappointed at the timing of our visit. The rooms filled with students have made it livelier.
The Museum is a two-storey building. At the ground floor is the cave biodiversity that exhibits bats and the marine biodiversity exhibit which features a large jaw of a sperm whale, different kinds of shells and marine life bones. Preserve animals and skeletons can also be found here.
Wandering around the museum is really entertaining as we are also being educated. The preserve animals were group together according to their environment, such as grassland, rain forest and beach forest. We are glad that we bring along our six year old daughter here.
The second floor is where we found the collection of mushrooms, rocks, insects and by-products of microorganism. I did not enjoy looking at the insects though I loved the collection of amazing rocks.
For the preservation of some of the exhibits, the only part of the Museum with air-conditioning is the marine life exhibit. So I advice those who want to visit the Museum to bring refreshments with you.
The Museum is open Mondays to Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The Museum accepts walk-in visitors. For advanced booking / reservations for large groups such as class field trips, please contact their Booking Coordinator:
Ms. Lita Borromeo
Administrative Officer
+63 (049) 536-3669
Or email mnh@uplb.edu.ph or mnhuplb@gmail.com
Rates
Adult: P 20.00 (High school and college students, professionals and other adults)
Children: P 10.00 (Pre-schoolers and grades-schoolers)
The Museum of Natural History also accepts donations for the maintenance and development of more interesting exhibits in the future.
How to get to there:
By Public Transport:
1. Board a bus ( BLTB Bus, Green Star Bus, JAM or JAC Liner) at the terminal in Cubao or Taft Avenue bound for Sta. Cruz Laguna.
2. Get off at Los Baños Junction.
3. Ride a jeepney to UPLB College of Forestry and tell the driver to drop you at the UPLB Museum of Natural History.
Tip: Raise your index finger (aka pointer finger) as a sign for jeepney drivers that you will go up along the College of Forestry.
By Private Transport:
1. From Manila drive to South Luzon Express Way (SLEX) and take the Calamba Exit.
2. Take the National Highway to Lopez Avenue in Los Baños.
3. Turn right onto Lopez Avenue.
4. Continue onto Jose R. Velasco Avenue.
5. Turn Left onto Narra.
6. Continue onto bridge.
7. Continue onto Domingo lantican Avenue.
8. Turn left onto Makiling
9. You will see the sign "Museum of Natural History" at your left side.
