In 2006, Filipino painter
Benedicto Reyes Cabrera also known as "
BenCab" was awarded National Artist of the Philippines for Visual Arts. Being noted as "arguably the best-selling painter of his generation of Filipino artists", one has certainly has to his own private collection of his and other artists which happens to be in
Bencab Museum along Asin Road in
Tuba.
Every day except Monday, local and foreign tourists drop by to check out his personal collection to admire his works and observe his taste.
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| Museum Lobby |
Just pay the entrance fee, sign up and get your map and you're good to go. The
Bencab Museum has three floors.
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| Museum Shop |
The
Museum Shop is located right next to the museum lobby. You have to go through it to view the
Sephia Gallery.
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| BFT2014 with Bencab |
Sabel
Being from the
Edison T. Coseteng Patio, I've found a profound amusement with
Bencab's muse
Sabel.
Isabel is actually the name of
Bencab which he used as the nickname of his muse.
Sabel is a "
taong grasa" from
Tondo. She's deceased so I guess her pieces are very rare.
I've always believed that everything... anything... anyone possess a unique kind of beauty. But, appreciating that beauty lies on our ability or inability to perceive it in the right way.
I'll let you in on my little ridiculous secret. One of my goals in life is to widen my perspective so I can be surrounded by beauty. How we perceive however, is not according to our own choice, but nature's mysterious design which is
difficult for us to comprehend. Yet, it simply makes sense to me in a way that
we can find perfection in each others imperfection so that everything
can harmoniously complement each other when they can go in zillions of other ways.
Do you know why I appreciate art? Because art is capable of making us see beyond our own limited perspective and see through an artist's view. Through
Bencab's paintings of
Sabel, I can see how he sees her. His works of her goes beyond the medium used which is only visual. He is able to emulate
Sabel with all her intricacies and complexities which defines her unique beauty.
Standing right there...on the hall viewing
Sabel in different poses, different forms, different robes (ragged or luxurious), gave me the nostalgic kind of feeling of a life-changing encounter with someone of admirable and inspiring true beauty.
 |
| Atrium |
These are my favorite of
Bencab's work. The one on the left is an abstract of a bowing king. The one on the right is a piece made with gold gel pen which is really cool!
There are also galleries which features other artists over a certain duration.
This is my favorite piece of wooden craft. It's a gigantic screw-less wooden puzzle piece cabinet.
Could you believe that this is functioned as a refrigerator were they stored
etag?
 |
| Cordillera Gallery |
I've always loved the Cordillera culture. I find their native bags, cooking utensils and other household items quite innovative.
The details in these sculptures on bones are unbelievable!
I can say the same for these woven crafts.
 |
| Bul-ol Installations |
Guess what this is? Clue: It belongs to the
Erotica Gallery.
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| Print Gallery |
These pieces in the
Print Gallery are also for sale.
 |
| Philippine Contemporary Art Gallery |
Bencab also keeps a collection of other Philippine contemporary artists. This is one of my favorite paintings.
This electronic guitar made of different tools is pure genius!
And, so is this glass masterpiece.
 |
| Farm and Garden |
Passing through Cafe Sabel is the farm and garden. I guess the eco-trail starts from here.
We,
Travel Tripsters, highly recommend visiting
Bencab Museum to appreciate Philippine art.
Every day except Monday, local and foreign tourists drop by to check out his personal collection to admire his works and observe his taste. 
Being from the Edison T. Coseteng Patio, I've found a profound amusement with Bencab's muse Sabel. Isabel is actually the name of Bencab which he used as the nickname of his muse.
Sabel is a "taong grasa" from Tondo. She's deceased so I guess her pieces are very rare. 
I've always believed that everything... anything... anyone possess a unique kind of beauty. But, appreciating that beauty lies on our ability or inability to perceive it in the right way.
Do you know why I appreciate art? Because art is capable of making us see beyond our own limited perspective and see through an artist's view. Through Bencab's paintings of Sabel, I can see how he sees her. His works of her goes beyond the medium used which is only visual. He is able to emulate Sabel with all her intricacies and complexities which defines her unique beauty.
These are my favorite of Bencab's work. The one on the left is an abstract of a bowing king. The one on the right is a piece made with gold gel pen which is really cool!
There are also galleries which features other artists over a certain duration.
This is my favorite piece of wooden craft. It's a gigantic screw-less wooden puzzle piece cabinet.
Could you believe that this is functioned as a refrigerator were they stored etag? 
I've always loved the Cordillera culture. I find their native bags, cooking utensils and other household items quite innovative.
The details in these sculptures on bones are unbelievable!
I can say the same for these woven crafts. 
Guess what this is? Clue: It belongs to the Erotica Gallery.
Bencab also keeps a collection of other Philippine contemporary artists. This is one of my favorite paintings. 
This electronic guitar made of different tools is pure genius!
And, so is this glass masterpiece.
