The Museo De La Salle is a school-based museum in Bacolod City. In addition to its main collection of religious artifacts, the museum also features special exhibits that enable faculty, students and the Negrense community to deepen their appreciation of the Filipino cultural heritage. The Museum houses the international textile collection donated by Ms. Mara Montelibano.
OUR HISTORY
It all began when the University of St. La Salle, through the former University President, Br. Gus Boquer, FSC, offered to be a repository of the diocesan ecclesiastical objects of the Sacred Heart Seminary. The collection of the University Research Institute was then fused with it, and then came the religious antique collection donated by the Vega Family. It was in 1997 that this repository was officially named MUSEO NEGRENSE DE LA SALLE.
The museum grew with the generous donations from patrons and donors who are mostly Negrense and whose families had been in one way or another, connected with the University of St. La Salle.
In 2011, University President and Chancellor, Br. Raymundo Suplido, FSC, led the inauguration of the JGM Textile Arts Center, the biggest international folk textile collection in the Philippines.
MISSION & VISION
Throughout the Philippine history and tradition, Chrisianity and intercultural relations have influenced the way of life of the Filipino. Museo Negrense de La Salle shall primarily endeavor to increase the understanding of the past and present religious and intercultural practices of Filipinos through the multimedia practices of the symbols of the Christian faith and other cultural artifacts.
Museo Negrense de La Salle also welcomes other opportunities to broaden the appreciation of arts, culture and history.
Our Permanent Collections
Vega Collection
Divided into three periods in the history of Negros and Wesern Visayas, the collection houses images of saints made by Filipino craftsmen and books in Spanish and Latin during the Spanish regime; vases and porcelain from Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai traders of the pre-Hispanic era; remnants of the Japanese invasion and rural Filipino life.
Ledesma Collection
Images of Sto. Niño enshrines in traditional mini-altars from Bohol called Urna illustrates Visayan piety and devotion to the Child Jesus in this collection. The collection also features a three-tiered mini-altar adorned with various representations of the Holy Mother including Our Lady of Sorrows and a rare image of the legendary Lady of Loreto.
Esteban Collection
A hodgepodge of antique and contemporary religious art, this is an anthology of exquisite taste. The Collection features towering figures of the Catholic Church founding patriarchs St. Peter, the first pope, and St. Paul, the first international evangelist; and ivory and wooden depiction of the Holy Family's Flight to Egypt from the persecution of Herod.
Velayo-Javelosa Collection
The soft, smooth, and flowing style of the porcelain masters of Lladro is evident in this collection of Madonna and Child contemporary art. On loan is a collection of Faberge Easter eggs.
Puentevella Collection
A flashback to the proud Negrense past, the collection depicts part of the interior of a house dating to the glorious Golden Age of Negros with emphasis on the private family altar. Items displayed include various antique Candelabras; a late 19th Century Narra Aparador; and a wooden armchair carved by 19th century Filipino-Chinese Artisan, Ah Tay.
JGM Textile Arts Center
Houses a vast collection of handmade, indigenous textiles from more than 70 countries generously donated to the University of St. La Salle in memory of Jose Garcia Montelibano. This is reportedly the first museum in the Philippines with a vast collection of handmade folk textile.
Contact Information
Museo De La Salle Bacolod
(034) 434 6100 loc. 186
museum@usls.edu.ph