Relive Bonifacio and Aguinaldo’s Defining Moments Through Virtual Reality at Ayala Museum
A
year after Ayala Museum launched its game-changing diorama virtual reality immersive
experience with the execution of Jose Rizal, the museum is now giving the
virtual reality testament to two more iconic historical figures: Andres
Bonifacio and Emilio Aguinaldo.
Two
of the prominent figureheads in the Philippine revolution, the legacies of
Bonifacio and Aguinaldo are often held in the same conversation that includes
the other. Though the paths they took diverged from one another, each path lead
to the emergence of the Filipino nation.
Encouraged
by the warm reception towards the first VR experience, the decision to expand
the program was easy to make for the museum. Teaming up once again with I AM
CARDBOARD to recreate this pivotal point in history, visitors using the 360
goggles will get to immerse themselves in the defining moments of Bonifacio and
Aguinaldo’s stories.
'In
this 2nd in the series of Diorama VRs, like a fly in the wall, we are privy to
the backstory of the complex road to independence where all is not what it
seems. That's what's great about VR immersive technology. It heightens empathy.’
says Marilee Gustilo, Ayala Museum’s director.
This
expansion brings four static scenes from the Ayala Museum dioramas to life that
charted the course of Philippine History. The Cry of Pugad Lawin, the Tejeros
Convention, the Trial and Execution of Andres Bonifacio. and the Declaration of
Philippine Independence; all leading towards the birth of the Filipino nation.
Renowned
historian Prof. Ambeth Ocampo was once again brought on as the main consultant
for the VR expansion. During the presscon, he was asked why those events in
history were chosen for the VR and he shared, 'These are controversial events in
Philippine History, one that encourages an emotional rather than historical
response. The VR makes the viewer revisit the past to see two heroes with two
paths to the same objective: freedom. It underscores the sad reality that the
road to nationhood is not clean and clear-cut as we would want it to be. So, by
going back into the past we learn about human nature, we learn about the sacrifices
made to become the nation we can be.'
The expansion
of its virtual reality efforts is just another way the museum recognizes the
importance of the digital experience in enhancing the traditional features of
the museum. It is the museum's way of saying that history need not be stuck in
the past. It can go beyond books, monuments and static figures in dioramas.
As
emphasized by Ayala Foundation president Ruel T. Maranan, ‘Through the virtual reality
experience, Ayala Museum encourages people to journey back in time, m our mats
as a country, and learn lessons from the past that am still relevant to the museum.’
The
Diorama Virtual Reality Experience: Emergence of the Filipino Nation will be on
show at the Ayala Museum starting 25 September 2018.
For
questions and inquiries, you can contact Ayala Museum at hello@ayalamuseum.org or call at 759 82
88.
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