Tour the Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibit in Manila with me

The Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition has finally arrived in Manila. I was really excited to check it out. Imagine, no need to board a plane to Rome or contend with overwhelming crowds to appreciate the splendor of the Sistine Chapel frescoes. This opportunity allows us art enthusiasts to delve into the iconic works of the renowned Italian Renaissance artist Michaelangelo comfortably, with more time on their hands to appreciate it better.

It was a real treat to be a part of the preview of the exhibit. This exceptional experience awaits us visitors at the Estancia Mall, and I was welcomed with a really big panel of the last judgement hanging by the 3rd and 2nd floor part of the mall. It's really exciting as one can immerse themselves in the timeless beauty of these masterpieces.

A panel of The Last Judgement in Estancia Mall as part of Michaelangelo's Sistine Chapel Exhibit in Manila

Here's what to expect and some tips for better appreciating this beauty:

The Creation of Adam

Once you enter the exhibit, you are welcomed with carefully curated ambient Renaissance music by Marlon Chan, conductor of the Manila Symphony Orchestra. Delicate scents of patchouli, sandalwood, and frankincense further enhance this, which really brings you back to how a renaissance church would smell and sound like. To fully appreciate the historical significance of these paintings, visitors are encouraged to bring earphones and download the Sistine Chapel app, which provides a deeper understanding of the artwork's rich history.

QR Codes beside the panels make it into a multi sensory experience through the Sisitine Chapel App.

Besides the artworks, there are also cute IG-worthy opportunities waiting for us! You can take photos of the paintings to your heart's content without flash, and inside the exhibit I even found this set of cute wall-mounted fluorescent angel wings. Definitely can't resist to take a photo! There were also photo booths, where pictures can be loaded on phone, email, or printed for a minimal fee.

I also found that they serve food and drinks at the curated Caffe Michelangelo, a unique dining experience that marries art and culinary delights featuring Italian desserts and coffees.

To make this in a full family bonding experience, the exhibition also offers and Art Room to kids to color copies of the panels using crayons. Better to start them young by igniting their creativity and fostering a deeper connection to art appreciation. Guests are also encouraged to give small donations via GCash to directly benefit partner charities.

For souvenirs, guests can find a wide variety of merchandise at the Sistine Souvenir Shop.

The history behind the Sistine Chapel Exhibit

Presented by ATIN Global Inc. and SEE Global Entertainment Inc., this captivating traveling exhibit showcases life-size replicas of Michelangelo's paintings from the Sistine Chapel, faithfully reproduced and artfully displayed in their original sizes.  

L-R Yoly Crisanto Chief Sustainability & Corp Communications Officer at Globe Telecom Inc., Dr. Christie Nalupta of Philippine Red Cross, Sabrina Co, co-founder of ATIN Global, Global Entertainment CEO Martin Biallas, Marlon Chan, conductor of the Manila Symphony Orchestra

"By the time you get in, you have 15 minutes in and out, and the frescoes were all the way up. And there's a lot of people. You cannot take any photos at all, they're very strict about that," said SEE Global Entertainment CEO Martin Biallas. "The most difficult part was finding the right material to print these on. These are frescoes, or paintings that are painted on wet plaster, and then the paint and the color blends in and dries...  So we had to find the right materials. We found something from Germany that gives you that look and feel of the fresco that is as close to it as possible."

Unlike the original Sistine Chapel, where photography is prohibited, Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition permits visitors to capture cherished moments and share them to their heart's content, creating lasting memories of this remarkable encounter with artistic brilliance.

Ticket Prices and where to get them

Tickets for this extraordinary experience can be purchased at sistinechapelphilippines.com, with various categories available:

• Adult (weekday): P650
• Adult (weekend): P750
• VIP (skip queues): P950
• Group ticket for 6: P3,300

Discounted tickets for students, senior citizens, and PWDs are priced at P500 each, exclusively available at the counter.

A portion of the proceeds earned from every ticket sale will benefit The Hapag Movement, a Globe-led initiative that brings together an ecosystem of partners and leverages technology to fight involuntary hunger; and through Philippine Red Cross, which aims to extend relief and water distribution, sanitation and hygiene activities, health and welfare services to the most vulnerable families affected by the eruption of Mayon Volcano.

Don't miss this unparalleled opportunity to delve into the captivating world of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel without leaving Manila today!