Book Museum cum Ethnology Center — Attraction in Marikina

Are you a book lover and history lover? Then the Book Museum cum Ethnology Center in Marikina City is a must visit for you. The place is amazing because all (We mean ALL) collection stored inside are very interesting.

One thing that will greet you inside the compound is a coffee shop that is James Dean inspired. You can be confused as to why James Dean is included in a book museum. But it is explained to us that the actor was the favorite of the owner of the museum, Mr. Dominador Buhain, one of the owners of the leading and one of the largest book publishing companies in the Philippines, REX Bookstore.

Mr. Buhain founded the Book Museum in May 2013. His advocacy is to revive the reading awareness of the Filipino people. Mr. Buhain wants to share his bulk of collections which he gathered from 76 provinces in the Philippines and from 215 different places around the globe. Wherever he goes, he makes sure to pick up some books, magazines and even brochures as a token of remembrance. Of course, he also read them because he is a true bookworm and is in the book publishing business.

The design of the book museum is very unique. At the front of the museum, you will see the monuments of Mr. and Mrs. Jovita Fontallera, Atty. Buhain’s parents. Under the monuments are replicas of the numerous shoes of Mr. Juanito Fontallera which he used when he was still alive. At the back of the museum are murals of popular landmarks and symbols of Marikina City like Kapitan Moy, Science Museum, San Roque Church, and Marikit (the fairy godmother of Marikina).

In the walls of the book museum are murals of some personalities who shaped the publishing industry, like Johan Gutenberg of Germany and Tomas Pinpin, the first Filipino printer who printed Doctrina Christiana, said to be the first printed book in the Philippines. The door of the museum is etched with Baybayin words, an old form of Filipino writing.

Many of the collections in the book museum are really priceless. You could find here the smallest book in the world – The Lord’s prayer, measuring 3.3×3.3mm. It also features the smallest tablet which contains a Chinese poem. You need a microscope to see it. Atty. Buhain obtained this when he visited the Youngay Grottoes in Sichra Province in May 2013. You could find also here the mini-books of William Shakespeare. Another mini collection is the smallest calendar made in 1914 purchased in Frankfurt, Germany. You will also see a lot of antique and century-old books.

The museum does not only promote books but the Filipino culture as well. There are statues about Philippine mythology, like Malakas at Maganda and Manananggal with Nuno sa Punso.

We are also amazed when we entered the Cordillera cultural heritage section of the ethnology museum. It was on the first floor of a three-storey building. We learned a lot about the lifestyle and traditions of the Cordillera people from the past. The museum displays stone markers, which were used as a landmark of their house or territory.

We would like to thank the owner of this amazing place. We need this kind of museum as we embrace the tradition of reading printed books. It should not be forgotten even when we are overloaded with information via the internet.

Aside from the guided tour, the Museum also has a reading corner, where visitors can do read books or do research for an additional fee of Php 25.00. They are also...

I would say awesome experience.

We just gate crashed when we went there. It's not we didn't we entered their premises without approval. But I would rather say that their attendant named as Paolo has been very accomodating to us. And until now we were so thankful to him for giving us a tour eventhough we don't have any bookings as we weren't aware actually.

Entrance fee costs 250 but it should be booked prior to your preferred date. So, don't tell me that I did not inform at once ok? Lol!

The place looks small at the entrance, but I would say that it has enormous collections of artifacts by its owner. Give you one fact that I've learned about the place. From its entrance you be puzzled why instead of a book, pen or whatsover should be their logo, but the owner chosen foot. That's because the owner travelled to different places, unlike us, merely muggles who can only travel where our pocket fits in.

It has historical collections of our past and peculiar yet expensive items from around the globe. But what really captures my attention is when the security guy from another place we went to that they have the smallest book you. It has inscriptions which can only be read by a magnifying glass.

If you're a fanatic of interesting stuff, I would really and highly suggest to have a look and book your sched. By the way, if you might end up searching for their reception, go to the left side of the Rex bookstore that is where you should be...

One of the best places you can go to enjoy and learn at the same time.

Enjoy kasi maraming kakaiba.

The place looks small when you are looking at it from the outside. Pero it has 5 areas Anne Activity Hall Northern artifacts Southern artifacts Book museum

These are aside from the totems, statues and displays in between these major areas.

The Contents of the BMEC in Marikina is just around 30% of the whole collection of Atty. Buhain. He also has other museums in his house, in Cavite and in the Mountain Province.

The Book Museum cum Ethnology Center is at 201 Soutwest Dao St., Barangay Marikina Heights, Marikina.

Tour fees: • 250 pesos regular rate • 200 pesos for students (bring the school ID)

They are open on the following days:

•Tuesday to Friday - Walk-in guests are welcome. We will be accepting guests from 9:00 AM-12:00 noon and 1:00 PM-4:00 PM.

•Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays - You must have a RESERVATION at least two (2) days prior to your visit.

You may contact them via their FB page.

The tour is about one and...