#museumvibes

October 2019

Nature in human creativity🕊

They say that after watching a movie, the credits are the end but for me, the credits were just the beginning. After catching the Manuel L. Quezon biopic recently and revisiting the original Baler film, I found myself needing to see the real version of the stories I saw on screen.

Walking into the Museo de Baler, it didn't feel like I was just entering a building... it felt like I was stepping into the literal sequel of those movies. There’s something deeply grounding about standing on the same soil where such massive parts of our history began and seeing that the drama we watch for entertainment is actually built on very real, very human sacrifices.

Just sitting here, literally in the shadow of Manuel L. Quezon. I never really thought about it until now but Baler isn’t just a surf town... it’s the birthplace of a President. Looking up at his statue, you realize that the guy who fought for our national language and independence came from this exact same soil. It's a weirdly grounding feeling to be in the same spot where such a huge part of our history began.

I couldn’t stop staring at the museum’s facade. This isn't just a brick wall... it’s a massive relief sculpture by Toym Imao that tells the 400-year history of Baler. If you look closely, you can see the waves, the Spanish ships and the faces of the people who survived the Siege. It’s like the building itself is a storyteller. Before I even stepped inside to see the artifacts and the Baler movie awards, this mural already gave me goosebumps. Ang ganda ng pagkakagawa, literally history carved in stone.

I was immediately drawn to the relief map of Aurora which shows how the mountains meet the sea... it really helps you visualize how isolated this place was during the war.

It’s funny how a place can feel so familiar just because of a movie. Walking around the museum grounds, I kept thinking about Anne and Jericho’s scenes. From sitting by the Quezon Monument in the sun to tracing the history on that iconic brick mural, it felt like I was finally stepping into the story I only used to watch on screen. Baler has this way of making you feel like you belong to its history, even if you’re just visiting for the day.

I already knew the story of Aurora Aragon Quezon from the movie but seeing this painting of her as a ministering angel felt different. On screen, you see the drama but here... you see the respect the people of Baler still have for her. It’s a reminder that she wasn't just a character in a historical film... she was a real woman who dedicated her life to the Red Cross and her people.

Reading her timeline... from her quiet childhood in Baler to her marriage in Hong Kong and her fight for women’s right to vote... you realize she was the ultimate woman of substance. It’s heartbreaking to see the Death panel and remember how her life ended in that 1949 ambush but her legacy is literally everywhere in this province. Ang ganda lang isipin that her kindness is what people remember most.

These glass cases hold the real-life epilogue to the Siege of Baler. Officially called a Bequest to an Enduring Friendship, these are tokens of honor sent by Spain to recognize the bravery of both sides.

Movies give us the drama but these cases give us the truth. Seeing the miniature soldiers and the military shields makes the 337-day siege feel so real and human. It’s the physical proof that history doesn't always have to end in bitterness... sometimes, it ends with a handshake. Ang cool lang na may resibo ng friendship na ganito, preserved for everyone to see.

Walking through these halls felt like stepping directly into a film set but with the weight of real life behind it. Stumbled upon these... the actual Gawad Parangal trophies from the Baler movie! Even though I just watched the Manuel L. Quezon biopic recently, seeing the awards from the original Baler film with Anne Curtis and Jericho Rosales felt like a total full-circle moment.

It’s one thing to see their drama unfold on a screen but seeing the industry’s highest honors like Anne’s Best Actress trophy... sitting right next to the actual history they portrayed... iba yung impact. It’s like the town’s way of saying that these movies didn't just entertain... they helped preserve the soul of Baler for all of us to see.

I spent about an hour lost in the details, especially at the Los Rostros del Mito wall where the real faces of the siege survivors are displayed alongside a scale model of the church, turning cinematic characters back into real people. The collection of Spanish military uniforms and flags served as the final physical receipts of that era.

Canon EOS 6D, Takumar 55mm f/2

[EN] I spent the whole week stuck at home, chained to the computer, only to end up alone with the kids for the weekend. It poured rain. My wife dolled herself up like Trzaskowski on election night and went off to her class reunion in her hometown. To keep from slipping completely into the abyss, I took the kids to Memuak. It’s a sort of museum — part sailing, part Sztynort. I’d heard many times that it’s this amazing, must-see place. It’s not. I mean — it’s fine. Nice that it opened. Nice that it exists. But honestly, I don’t get what all the fuss is about.

A few photos. A few exhibits. Some books. A couple of tablets with quizzes. Three VR headsets with 360° recordings. Maybe if someone’s never seen anything like that, they’ll be blown away. But the resolution is so low you can count the pixels with the naked eye. There’s also a bit of “gamification” — “spin the crank until the virtual object unfolds.” Yawn. There’s a sailboat simulator — interesting concept, with a tiller and a sheet, you can pull the rope and learn to sail on dry land. Although it’s a bit too complicated for younger kids. The older ones have already sailed on a real boat. There’s also a four-player mini-game at the end, with four steering wheels. The idea’s great, but the game itself is boring as hell, and the technical integration… not even worth discussing.

I don’t know. Maybe if someone’s digitally excluded and has never seen a modern video game, they might get excited about this. But come on — it’s nothing special. Sure, I get it — a VR headset isn’t something everyone has at home, but it’s hardly cutting-edge tech anymore. I’ve got two. And the first one’s a good nine years old. You know what I mean?

I know, maybe I’m complaining unnecessarily. It’s great that places like this are being created — Mazury still doesn’t have much to offer in that regard. Maybe I’m just not the ideal museum visitor, though I do have my favorites. I remember the City Museum in Dzierżoniów very fondly. But here? No wow effect. I don’t feel like I have to tell friends to go. I didn’t have a great time. I’m not rushing to recommend it to anyone.

The potential is there. It’s creative. It looks nice. But also — a bit modest. And honestly, a good guide in a museum is worth their weight in gold. Irreplaceable. Not an audio guide — a real human being with passion, telling stories with flair and humor. That’s worth paying extra for. Sure, you can sometimes get a weak one, but when you go somewhere for the history, it’s great when someone can really bring that history to life.

After the museum visit, I had a sleepless night. Fell asleep around two. The dog woke me up. Saw it was well past three. My wife was still roaming around that other town. Must’ve been a good party. I fell back asleep around five. At nine, my mother-in-law and daughter were probably throwing pots at each other from across the room or something. Slept terribly. But Sunday — not too bad. Though that’s a story for next time.

[PL] Cały tydzień siedziałem w domu, przykuty do kompa, by na weekend zostać samemu z dziećmi. Lał deszcz. Żona się odpierdoliła jak Trzaskowski na wieczór wyborczy i pojechała na spotkanie klasowe do rodzinnego miasta. Żeby nie osunąć się w całkowitą otchłań, zabrałem dzieciaki do Memuaka. To takie muzeum – trochę żeglarstwa, trochę Sztynortu. Wiele razy już słyszałem, że to jest takie mega super miejsce. Nie jest. W sensie – spoko. Fajnie, że się otworzyło. Fajnie, że jest. No ale, na miłość boską, nie wiem, z czego to pianie z zachwytu.

Trochę zdjęć. Trochę eksponatów. Jakieś książki. Trochę tabletów z quizami. Trzy wirtualne hełmy z nagraniami w 360 stopniach. Może jak ktoś nigdy nic takiego nie widział, to go zwala z nóg. No ale rozdzielczość jest tak słaba, że można liczyć piksele gołym okiem. Jest też próba gamifikacji – „kręć kołowrotkiem, aż się rozłoży wirtualny przedmiot”. Ziew. Symulator łódki — tu ciekawa koncepcja. Jest ster, jest szot, można sobie pociągać za linę i pouczyć się żeglowania na sucho. Aczkolwiek dla młodszych trochę za skomplikowane. Starsze pływały normalnym jachtem. Jest też na końcu takie miejsce z czterema sterami i minigierką na cztery osoby. Sam pomysł świetny, a mimo to — gierka nudna jak flaki z olejem, a integracja tego w jeden system… szkoda gadać.

Nie wiem. Jak ktoś na co dzień jest wykluczony cyfrowo i nie widział współczesnej gry wideo, to może być czymś takim podjarany. Ale to żaden poziom. Ja wiem, hełm VR to może nie jest rzecz, która leży u każdego w domu, ale to też żadna kosmiczna technologia. Ja mam dwa. A pierwszy ma dobre dziewięć lat. Wiecie, o co c’mon?

Wiem, może narzekam niepotrzebnie. Fajnie, że takie miejsca powstają, bo na Mazurach w tym temacie wciąż bieda. Może i nie jestem idealnym klientem muzeów ogółem, choć mam swoich faworytów. Muzeum Miejskie w Dzierżoniowie wspominam bardzo dobrze. No ale nie miałem tu efektu wow!. Nie mam tak, że muszę zachęcić znajomych do pójścia. Że spędziłem super czas. Że teraz zarekomenduję to każdemu.

Zalążki są. Jest pomysłowo. Jest estetycznie. No ale też odrobinę biednie. A w ogóle — dobry przewodnik w muzeum to skarb. Sprawa nie do przecenienia. I nie żaden audio-przewodnik. Żywy człowiek z pasją, który opowiada o miejscu ze swadą i humorem, jest na wagę złota i wart dopłacenia do droższego biletu. Wiadomo — można trafić na słabego. Niemniej jednak, gdy idziesz gdzieś dla historii, to fajnie, gdy ktoś potrafi Ci tę historię sprzedać.