Aquino Center and Museum
| Established | 2001 |
|---|---|
| Location | Tarlac City, Philippines |
| Coordinates | 15°26′04″N 120°36′07″E / 15.4345°N 120.6019°E |
Building details | |
| General information | |
| Inaugurated | August 21, 2001 |
| Renovated | 2023–2025 |
| Owner | Ninoy & Cory Aquino Foundation |
| Technical details | |
| Material | Concrete, steel, glass |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Dan Lichauco |
| Architecture firm | Francisco Mañosa & Partners |
Aquino Center and Museum is a museum in Tarlac City, Philippines dedicated to Senator Ninoy Aquino and presidents Corazon and Benigno Aquino III.
History
Work on establishing the Aquino Center began in 1993, a year after Corazon Aquino's presidency. The facility was inspired from the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston. The Benigno Aquino Foundation (later known as the Ninoy & Cory Aquino Foundation or NCAF) garnered ₱200 million from donors worldwide for the establishment of the museum while the Cojuangco family donated a 5 hectares (12 acres) lot within the Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac City.[1][2]
Aquino Center and Museum opened on August 21, 2001, the 18th anniversary of Ninoy's assassination, in a ceremony attended by Corazon Aquino herself. The museum features the career of Senator Ninoy Aquino, including the assassination, the EDSA Revolution, and the subsequent presidency of Corazon Aquino.[1][3][4]
Under NCAF executive director Kiko Aquino Dee, the museum closed after the 2022 presidential election which was won by Bongbong Marcos and underwent a two year renovation. The museum reopened on February 25, 2025. Additional memorabilia, including ones related to the presidency of Benigno Aquino III was included.[5]
Architecture and design
Dan Lichauco, an architect of the Francisco Mañosa firm and nephew of Ninoy Aquino, was designed the Aquino Center and Museum.[1] The concrete, steel and glass building has a U-shaped structure with a lawn on its center.[2][3] Lichauco also worked on the 2023–2025 renovation under Archion Architects.[6]
References
- ^ a b c Ramirez, Joanne Rae (August 22, 2001). "'Ninoy was lucky he had me for a wife'". The Philippine Star. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
- ^ a b Dizon, Ronaldo; Arador, Russel (August 21, 2002). "A symbol of hope, democracy". Philippine Daily Inquirer. p. A17. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
- ^ a b Silvestre, Rodolfo Jr. "Somewhere in Hacienda Luisita". Philippine Daily Inquirer. p. F6. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
- ^ Orejas, Tonette (February 25, 2025). "Tarlac museum tells Aquinos' 'love story' with the people". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
- ^ Oliveros, Gabriel (February 25, 2025). "Aquino Museum reopens in Tarlac to tell the story of Ninoy, Cory and PNoy — in photos". PCIJ.org. Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
- ^ Manalo, Jown (February 24, 2025). "Aquino Museum in Tarlac reopens ahead of 39th Edsa anniversary". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved July 11, 2025.