Science meets fiction at the Omniverse Museum

Pop culture collectibles and education in one museum? Yes please!

The Omniverse Museum unveiled itself to the public last March 8, showcasing over 5,000 pieces of original movie artifacts, props, and collectibles from various pop culture franchises.

Owner Ryan Sison gave GMA News Online a tour of the museum and shared the 20-year journey of his hobby-turned-passion project.
Ryan said that the Omniverse Museum is his ultimate dream as a collector of pop culture memorabilia.

“When my collection grew, naisip ko na magtayo ng museum,” Ryan said.

(“When my collection grew, I thought of setting-up a museum.”)

However, Ryan didn’t want a museum full of eye candy — he wanted his visitors to not just enjoy his exhibits but to learn something from it.

“Gusto ko na bigyan sila ng more meaning, kasi almost all of these pieces have sentimental value and they’ve been a part of my life," he said.

(“I wanted to give my visitors more meaning, because almost all of these pieces have sentimental value and they’ve been a part of my life.”)

“So I want to give them more meaning and what better way than education?” he added.

This led to the birth of the Omniverse Museum, which seeks to amaze its audience with Ryan’s collections through the years, accommodated by art installations by Jose Manansala, Joseph Mahusay, and many more Pinoy artists.

Meanwhile, infographics and games dissect the science behind every pop culture exhibit.

“When you dissect those themes, you will see that almost every movie is based and grounded to reality and that reality is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics,” Ryan said.

 

SCIENCE MEETS FICTION

The Omniverse Museum in Makati City does not only feature pop culture collectibles, but also encourage STEM learning though infographs and games. @GMANews

READ: https://t.co/0SwdLKItxk pic.twitter.com/kIGB8W96NL

— Francis Felix Falgui (@fffalgui) March 17, 2023

 

 

How it all started

Ryan got into the hobby at a young age by collecting action figures after watching TV shows, and reading comics such as X-Men, Death of Superman and local comic book publication, Funny Komiks.

However, at age 19, his hobby grew from action figures to life-sized statues.

“Iba kasi ang dating e kapag life-sized for me, I mean, hindi mo na pwede dayain 'yung mga pores, 'yung creases, 'yung wrinkles, kailangang kita-kita. So, mas naappreciate ko,” Ryan said.

(“Life-sized toys appeal more to me because, you can’t cheat on small details such as the pores, creases and wrinkles, which I appreciate more.”)

Eventually, just like most collectors, Ryan’s hobby stumbled upon problems such as lack of money and space, as well as the stigma that collecting is a waste of time and resources.

“I think I speak for most collectors din di ba na 'pag bili ka ng bili, your family will notice it, and they’ll be like, 'You’re wasting your money on toys and nonsense.'"

(“I think I speak for most collectors that your family will notice when you keep on buying collectibles and they’ll be like 'You’re wasting your money on toys and nonsense.'")

As for the space, Ryan shared that he got into a cycle of buying collectibles, displaying them, and then placing them into a warehouse, which eventually led him to set up the Omniverse Museum.

“I’ve always wanted to share my passion with everyone, I mean I think, for most collectors, the ultimate dream would be a museum. Museum kasi may space ka diyan, at the same time, you get to share it with everyone with like-minded individuals,” Ryan said.

(“I’ve always wanted to share my passion with everyone, I mean I think, for most collectors, the ultimate dream would be a museum. Museums provides enough space at the same time, you get to share it with everyone with like-minded individuals.”)

However, when it comes to the future of Omniverse Museum, Ryan does not plan to rest on his laurels, as he starts to plan on its future branches.

“There would be more branches in the future, we’ve been planning the pipeline already, not to give too much.”

He also shared that he also would like to expand his collection of pop culture memorabilia to keep things fresh in the museum.

“This is not my entire collection... it’s growing and you can expect more and you can expect na we won’t be featuring the same things over and over,” he said.

Ryan wrapped up the interview by reflecting on the current state of collecting and by imparting an advice to collectors out there.

“I don’t think they see these things as a waste of time and money, now it’s an actual investment,” Ryan said. “Before you buy something, sleep over it if you actually want it or need it and it will bring joy to you, then do it. If you cannot afford it, save up for it."

The Omniverse Museum is located on the 4th floor of Glorietta (Japan Town) in Makati City. The museum is closed on Mondays. —JCB, GMA Integrated News