The National Arts Center is a picturesque institution located at the sides of Mount Makiling 200 meters above sea level in Los Baños, Laguna. This is one of former First Lady Imelda Marcos’ numerous architectural projects and was established in 1976. (Other such projects that have been featured here in Vista Pinas include the Golden Mosque and the Coconut Palace.) The National Arts Center is run by the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Photo by Marie.

The most prominent structure in the National Arts Center is the Tanghalang Maria Makiling, a 2,500 capacity, flat-top-pyramid-shaped, open-air theater that is quite visible from the surrounding area. This theater was named after the legend of Maria Makiling and it’s the one shown in the photo above and in the satellite image thumbnail. Other important buildings are the Pugad Adarna (Executive House) to the north, the Bulwagang Sarimanok (Clubhouse) to the northeast, and the Pugad Aliguyon (Marvilla Cottages) to the southeast.

The National Arts Center also houses the Philippine High School for the Arts which provides scholarships for the artistically-gifted youth. You can find the campus due south from the Tanghalang Maria Makiling at the end of the north-south road.

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