Legarda: Make time for Art during the Holidays, Join Online Tours

Legarda today encouraged everyone to go online and spend their free time by going on virtual tours of museums, as we all face the new norm.

“With the pandemic, people are obliged to stay at home, practice social distancing, spend time for ourselves and with our loved ones, but technology allows us the opportunity to go beyond our homes and to learn more about our surroundings, our art, history, and culture,” Legarda, a staunch supporter of the arts, noted.

The UP Vargas Museum has launched an online tour of its Permanent Art Collection at the 2/F Main Gallery. The virtual tour, which recounts the story of the Vargas Collection, was done in English, with Legarda as narrator, and in Filipino, with JC Santos, a theater and film actor. Both Legarda and Santos are alumni of the University of the Philippines Diliman.

The Vargas Collection presents the art works donated by the distinguished alumnus, Jorge Vargas, and showcases four sections: Light, Province, Unease and Passage, as each section provides insights on art as expression, on archives and history. The collection spans the late 19th century to the post-war period of the 1960s, and weaves a great story about art and society in Philippine history.

“Before the pandemic, viewing art was a privilege as individuals had to sometimes pay to go to museums. Now, in order to adapt to the new normal, art is being made more accessible. Apart from the Vargas tour, I am excited to have soon the online tour of Likhaan in Intramuros, and an online tour of the Hibla Textile Gallery at the National Museum of the Philippines. Everything is now within our reach, in order for us to appreciate art more and enjoy,” Legarda said.

The Virtual Tour may be accessed on the UP Vargas Museum Youtube Channel. For more information, please check UP Vargas Facebook page.