Makiling Forest Reservation

National Arts Center

The National Arts Center is a sanctuary for young and aspiring Filipino artists that is located in Mount Makiling, Los Baños, Laguna, the Philippines.

The Center was established in 1976 by First Lady Imelda Marcos as a haven for young and aspiring artists. Its various buildings and facilities are scattered over 13.5 hectares of the Makiling Forest Reservation and also houses the Philippine High School for the Arts, a government-run secondary educational institution for gifted young artists.

It is currently administered by the Cultural Center of the Philippines

Facilities and Venues

Pugad Adarna (Executive House)

The Pugad Adarna or Executive House is composed of several interlinked structures enclosing a swimming pool and garden. Situated on top of a ridge, each of the venue's nine rooms has a veranda with a commanding view of Laguna de Bay, Mount Makiling, nearby towns and on clear days, even the skyscrapers of Makati and Ortigas Center.

Ideally used for family outings and intimate gatherings, the venue also has a kitchen and dining area/lounge which can also be turned into a function hall. All of the bedrooms are fully airconditioned with individual toilets. It has a total bed capacity of 34.

It is named after the Ibong Adarna, a mythical creature of Philippine legend.

Pugad Aliguyon (Marvilla Cottages)

The Marvilla Cottages or the Pugad Aliguyon are a cluster of cottages linked by walkways. Each cottage has two rooms with varying bed capacities and a veranda where one could view the surrounding forests. Furnished with overhead fans, built-in closets, and toilets in each room, the cottages can accommodate up to 98 persons.

The venue is typically used for billeting participants of seminars, retreats, conventions, and other activities involving large groups.

Bulwagang Sarimanok (Clubhouse)

The Clubhouse, also the Bulwagang Sarimanok, has a large hall which has been typically used for wedding receptions, seminars, and conference. Its solid appearance is complemented by the use of stones in its massive columns and hardwood all over, highlighting the rustic ambiance. The glassed-walled hall is surrounded by a veranda where guests may conduct group sessions, dine al fresco, or see the spectacular view of Laguna de Bay and the mountainside. It has a spacious kitchen and two-bedroom dormitory in its mezzanine, overlooking the parqueted hall.

Tanghalang Maria Makiling (Open-Air Theater)

The Tanghalang Maria Makiling, or the Open-Air Theater, is the only NAC structure visible from the nearby towns because of its plateau-like location on the center. It affords a 360 degree view of the outlying areas, including Crocodile Island, Talim Island, Crocodile Lake and on clear days, Mount Banahaw and the mountains of Rizal.

The open-air theater/auditorium is ideal for concerts and conventions. It has a seating capacity of 1,800, including the concrete bleacher seats outside the theater.

It is named after Maria Makiling, a enchantress of Philippine mythology that is believed to reside on the foothills of Mount Makiling.

St. Marc's Chapel

Set amidst towering trees and lush forest vegetation, St. Marc's Chapel is an ideal setting for meditation and contemplation. It is a structure without walls and is linked directly to surrounding gardens.