Art Deco: A Walk to Remember

This art style (short for Decorative Arts) of architecture and visual arts began  in Paris in the 1910s. 

From the 20s to early 30s, the world caught on. Design of exterior and interior of anything—large structures and small objects—combined sleek modern aesthetics with the functional, historical motifs from ancient cultures, creating a glamorous, symmetrical, and luxurious style.   

The National Museum of the Philippines captured that era through an exhibit (November 2025-May 2026), "Art Deco: Modernity and Design in the Philippines 1925-1950." This marks 100 years since Art Deco was introduced to the world.

Son #3, a history buff like his late dad, asked his mom, who forgets dates but loves art, if she was interested in going before the exhibit ends. 

“Yes!” Without missing a beat. 

It was one o’clock PM and the sun was at its angriest. But art ignores anger and has an irresistible pull, so we walked under the sun from the car to the building, going up and down stairs. I survived by hanging on to son #3’s hard-as-rock arms.

It was all worth the scorching heat and soaking sweat. 

Now, why would people be more preoccupied in taking selfies than appreciating art and culture? Why would the National Museum in a tropical country be in three separate buildings with open walkways deprived of trees? I have walked to, from, and through Prado (Madrid) and Louvre (Paris) for hours and all I remember are fancy-free delight and lasting memories. 

From the National Museum of Fine Arts, we walked to the National Museum of Anthropology, then--moi now gasping and panting--to the National Museum of Natural History.

I love museums not so much for the dates but for a walk back to the past, be intimate with cultures, and experience the grace of rare and beautiful objects along the way. 

I love museums because they encourage learning, spark creativity in wherever our interest lies, and offer a reflective escape from unsettling worldwide and local news.

The heat (not the walk) must have been a venom that pierced into my skin. 

I fell asleep as soon as I slumped in the car. My last two coherent thoughts: It was a walk to remember. Tony would have loved it.

What happened next? (to be continued)