Museums - We Love!

We love museums,  I was reading through my blog and realized that we have a lot of museum posts to date:

PHILIPPINES

• The Mind Museum at BGC Taguig City
• Science Park, Mind Museum
• Ben Cab Museum in Baguio City
• PMA Museum in Baguio City
• Museo Pambata in Manila
• Exploreum at SM Mall of Asia
• Dinosaur Land Museum in Clark Pampanga

SINGAPORE

• Madame Tussaud
• Science Center Museum
• Trick Eye Museum

HONGKONG

• HongKong Museum of History
• Madame Tussaud Wax Museum

 

Movie Star Cafe just like in the MOVIES (updated)

I have heard quite a lot about one of the newest family restaurants in town - Movie Stars Café.  

It is a special kind of restaurant that runs hourly performances for the entire family entertainment.

So on my youngest son's 6th birthday, I pre-booked seats for us to check out and see for ourselves what the rave is all about.

 Movie Stars Café (here we are)

  

My boys gamely posed next to the King (himself) Kong (LOL!)

We came at about 6pm and found the place already half-packed.  There were still plenty of seats upfront, but to my dismay, we were given seats at the back. 

Although the place is small, and the back seats are only about 3-5 feet away from the  small runway stage,  I have been wanting to get front seats to amp my kids enjoyment in watching the shows.

I tried to use my charm to be moved upfront, but nah!

People started pouring in at 630pm and by 645 it was already jam-packed, so it was good we came in a little early.

We got eat-all-you buffet for four (2 adults and 2 kids), which cost P699 for adults and extra P100 for drinks.
 
There is not much to say about the food. It was plain and simple - much like a birthday party sort of spread.  
I honestly recommend you just do an a la carte.  That would be much cheaper and you get to choose what you like.  

There are plenty of MSC cast in famous movie character costume around to keep your kiddos busy in between performances that starts at 7pm.

If you did not get your money's worth from the food, don't fret since the shows are truly worth your every centavo.

(Performances photos courtesy of MSC FB page)

My boys had so much fun - my youngest son's jaw dropped seeing Spidey dance.

 Our choice pictures. L-R/T-B: Papa with Atom; Raj with Spider Man; Kuya with Jabbawockeez and Me with Bubblebee!

TIPS:

1. Reserve early.  Don't take chances, especially during weekends as it gets really crowded.
2. Do a la carte instead of buffet. 
3. Enjoy and don't hesitate to approach the performers.  They are very accommodating and will gladly pose with you!
4. Enjoy and have fun.

Movie Stars Café

Seaside Blvd., SM Mall of Asia

Pasay City

Tel. No. 550-1234

The restaurant has moved to a new home at the

G/F of Centris Station, EDSA cor Quezon Ave., Quezon City

For inquiries please visit their facebook page:

Movie Stars Cafe 

Exploreum... where SCIENCE becomes FUN

Worthwhile family activities is become more and more difficult to find.  

 

I was excited to hear that the SM through its lifestyle and entertainment arm, has recently undertaken a revamp of the SM Science Center into the Exploreum.

 

The Exploreum houses eight (8) main galleries, covering vast range of topics and interests.

 

 

Connect showcases various communication equipment. 

It has an exhibit of old computer, television, cellular phone, which were amusing conversational pieces to tell your kids how communication evolved as we know it today.

 

 

 

Cyberville is a hands-on-gallery featuring various inventions.  My kids grew a liking to the solar powered car that actually moves and took turns running it. 

 

Human Adventure provides visitors an in-depth view of the human body.

 

 

The Living Earth shows the origin of the planet.

 

 

Natural World showcases flora and fauna.

 

 

Zoom Gallery explores automobiles and planes at work.

 

 

 

Space Camp, meanwhile shows visitors a peep of life in space. 

 

 

The SM Planetarium is a 180 degrees full dome theater, showing digital videos and films. 

Aside from these galleries, Exploreum also has a practice science area called Discovery Science and a scientific play space/lab called Science Park. 

My honest verdict:  

The Exploreum is actually  a cheaper alternative to the Mind Museum at P350 per pax (inclusive of Gallery, plus one Planetarium show). We enjoyed our tour and my boys had fun learning . 

However, although Exploreum has all the key elements of a Science Museum, I don't think it has enough to fully engage and wow guests.

It tries hard to impress by packing it's space with too much themes, that they were unable to fully explore each one profoundly nor were they able to provide smooth transition from one gallery to another.

In the end a trip to the Exploreum is not a waste of time and money, however, for a more engaging science adventure, I suggest you spend some more and head to the Mind Museum. 

The Exploreum is located at the GF Southside Entertainment Mall, SM Mall of Asia Pasay City. 

You may click here for the rates <<<<

Stay, Eat and be Merry at New World Hotel Makati

   Our latest staycation was at the New World Hotel Makati. 

My husband had to work overnight on his birthday and I can't bear the thought of him spending his special day alone, so we decided to hang around.

 

Since he would be working at New World Hotel tonight (all smiles), we were able to get special rates. 

 

Our package included welcome drinks and noon tea buffet. 

 

Our receptionist personally seated us at the lobby lounge as we were served welcome drinks. Since our room was not yet available, we decided to take the noon tea as well.

 

This is the good life!

 

One of the yummiest cup cakes I have tasted. 

 

My kids went gaga over the sweet deserts and pastries.   They easily filled their plates with baked goodies they can eat ~ a real sugar overload!

 

After we finished and the kids had their fill, a bellboy took our bags and helped us to our room. 

 

We stayed in a superior room with a king size bed, plus a complimentary extra bed to fit us (2 adults and 2 kids) comfortably.

 

The room was quite small (made smaller with the additional bed set-up) and there were no real space for the kids to run around and play. The room was also a bit outdated, but it was clean and well maintained.  

 

The room has everything we needed ~ cozy beds, minibar, cabled television, wifi, It even has an umbrella and bath robes. 

 

 

We were just settling in, when the bellboy knocked and gave my husband a chocolate mousse cake.  What a surprise!

 

We just had noon tea and now an entire 8 inches round cake (less than two hours since we came in New World and I think I already gained a pound or two).

 

Too bad there is no candle. 

 

 

Our room has a lovely view of the pool and the Greenbelt. 

 

 

 

The buffet breakfast at the hotel's Café  1228 is amazing. Choices are varied and all very delicious 

(oops, again another pound or so).  

 

 

 

VERDICT

• Location alone is AAA+. The hotel is just a few steps away the Greenbelt Mall, Landmark and Glorietta.  It is an absolute shopper's dream hotel.
• Breakfast is superb.
• Excellent service, from the moment you enter the hotel. Staff very cordial and accommodating. 
• The extras we got made our stay really memorable.  We will be back for sure. 

 

PMA Museum

 

Have you been to the PMA Museum? 

 

Well it was a must go, during our last Baguio vacation for our military wannabes kiddos.

 

The museum is small and outdated. 

 

There is a video presentation in the entrance gallery and mannequins in PMA cadet uniforms from yesteryears.

 

There is model cadet room on display, but that is just about it.  About 85% of the exhibit are photos.  Not very enticing.

 

 

 

 



My boys love  museums here and abroad, and so I was not surprised to hear my youngest quipped, "..so Ma, what happened to the rest of museum?" 

 

We were literally finished 10 minutes, right after paying the P10 entrance fee. The place needs major revamp. 

 

Our PMA Fieldtrip

 

My boys have always been fascinated with men in uniform, with my youngest wanting to be a soldier.  What better way to fuel their dreams but by bringing them to the primary military institution in the country.

 

So in our last Baguio vacation, we found ourselves on a field trip with the kiddos to the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).

 

 

PMA grounds has been kept pristine clean and refreshing.

 

 

Picture perfect playground with the most relaxing of atmosphere.

 

 

 

One of the highlights of our PMA trip are the model tanks and helicopters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was a bit saddened my boys did not get to see marching cadets. Although we did manage to take glimpses of cadets walking in unison - good enough, hopefully next time we will strike lucky. 

 

 

TIPS:

(a) Drop by the souvenir shops and buy PMA shirts and PMA trinkets for cool "pasalubong".

(b) Visit the PMA webpage and read its history to get better appreciation of your trip.

(c) Head off and check the PMA Museum, it may be small, but still worth the visit. 

(d) PMA is very strict on traffic rules.   Remember to cross the street using the  pedestrian lane and maintain car speed while driving.

(e) Don't wear slippers as these are not permitted inside the academy.

 

Marooned in Mabilao Pangasinan for 3days and 2 nights

... the good kind of stranded...

 

I knew I should have just booked a night, I don't know what pushed me to reserve two.  Our trip was on a Holy Week and the resort was a little off the poblacion, so there was very little happenings. 

 

But it was okay, it was fun bonding with my kiddos, who obviously doesn't mind we weren't doing anything so long as we were together (I so love these boys)!

 

We stayed at Happy Ripples Resort, in the far away Magbilao Pangasinan, booked via Agoda (which is how I would normally book hotels). Do keep in mind that this is a basic resort and not a luxury hotel.  For the price we paid (with free breakfast),  this resort is actually a very good find! 

 

Happy Ripples is located right next to the beach, it was perfect for my sand addicted kiddos. The sand, although not powdery white like Boracay, was fine enough for early morning or late afternoon  barefoot (even for my boys) beach strolls.

 

 

• We were welcomed to a studio room with two double beds (fits four medium size adults comfortably). The place was decent and clean, however, there were no standard toiletries offered (just soap and shampoo).

• Beds were just okay, none of my boys complained (but then my boys are cowboys, and I am a queen, so I felt much better using my own linens. It was good I brought one). I think they were so tired with their beach frolicking they automatically shifted to sleep mode, right after they went to bed.

• Electricity was a bit of a problem, fluctuates every now and then affecting the air-conditioning (will not cool in the afternoon, but it was very cold at night - so it was again just okay since we were out beach bumming day time).

• There is a TV in our room, but no cable. Reception was also poor we only get two channels (hahaha)!

• Pool is small, but I think just right for a resort with only 10+ rooms. 

 

 

  Cell signals (Smart, Globe and Sun) were bad from our room, but works well from their view deck, were you get perfect view of the sunset. 

 

 Food was not superb, but was good and plenty. 

 We could take our meal anywhere in the resort we wish, we would almost always have it up the view deck of course.

 

The fact that there only limited rooms was great since there were not very many people. We were there on a Holy Week and were so happy we have the beach stretch just to ourselves (and a very few others) unlike the resorts nearby, swarming with people and hawkers.

 

A 3 days hiatus from gadgets and computers.  

It was just the beach, each other and our  imagination.

  

This resort is perfect for some peaceful family bonding time.

 

P.S. The waves in this side of Pangasinan gets really rough.  I do not recommend for families with very small children. 

 

 

Happy Ripples Beach Resort is located in

Mabilao, San Fabian, Pangasinan.

Landline: (075) 560-2076;  Mobile: 0918.529.6979, 0943.709.1667; Email: happyripplesresort@yahoo.com This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

 

 
 

 

Airforce City - Clark Field Pampanga

 

A huge field with plenty of planes lying about spells - KIDS FUN TIME (and tired mommas running after their kiddos)!

 

It is very seldom we get to see such huge spaces - for our children to run wild and get crazy and I am glad this was part of the school's fieldtrip itinerary. 

 

 

Pyrolympics 2014 (Can't Wait for Next Year)

 

 

Next to Christmases and Birthdays, my boys look forward to the annual Philippines International Pyrolympics Competition. This is obviously fast becoming an yearly event for my family!

 

The competition normally scheduled, Saturdays of February and March held at the SM Mall of Asia, Bayfront.

 

This year, we got to see Spain and UK fireworks display.

 

If you haven't seen one yet, I strongly encourage you to do so and bring your entire family along.  The displays are truly world class.

NOTES:
If you have cash to spare, I recommend an overnight stay at Microtel Hotel, their Sunset View Rooms, have a perfect view of the bay.

DinosoaurROARR Land

  Finally got to visit Dinosaur Island in Clark Pampanga as part of my kiddo's school field trip.

 

Dinosaur Island is tagged as the 1st (and I think only) Animatronic Dinosaur Park in the country.

 

I was really impressed to find gigantic and life like  (moving) dinosaurs for the first time.  They all looked very real and it took me a while to explain to my son that these dinosaurs are fake.

 

 

For a 5 year old's wild imagination,

the dinosaurs looked real alright! 

 

My son was second guessing "to pose or not to pose"

beside Mr. T (Rex)!

 

 

The park entrance has a tall and huge wooden gate (similar to the Jurassic movies) that keeps visitors guessing what is inside.  

 

1. Guests are first led to a  Dinosaur Trail.  Here expect to see: Brontosaurus, Tyrannosaurus Rex, Brachiosaurus, Spirosaurus, Stegosaurus, Triceratops, Iritator, Raptors, Rhinoceros, Iguanodon, and many more!

 

2. The park also houses a small museum (dinosaur fossils) ~ not really interesting. 

 

3. After the tour, we were seated and entertained to some dancing dinosaurs (it was really funny, you know these guys are just in dinosaur costume and yet when they try to scare, some were actually scared).

 

4. An optional extra-pay tour is the Jurassic Safari "Adventure" Ride.   We rode on motorized carts on tracks and were chased by the same dancing dinosaurs (Remember to keep extra attention on your kids and explain that these dinosaurs are not real. I saw one child, who ended up crying).

Entrance fee as posted in their facebook site:
Adult - Php 350.00
Kids - Php 300.00
FREE for 2yrs old and below.

Jurassic Safari Ride
Entrance fee - Php 150.00

Dinosaur Island is located along Gil Puyat Ave. Clark Freeport Zone Angeles City Pampanga. (near El Kabayo at the back of Clark Pinic Grounds) is open daily from 9am to 5pm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zoobic Safari

Ilog ni Maria Honey Bee Farm (road less travelled)!

I have read such good reviews of Ilog ni Maria from the internet. So, on our way home from our last Tagaytay trip, me and my boys decided to give this much reviewed stop over a visit.

 

It took us a while to find the place.  We had to stop for a couple a times and ask locals for directions (who similarly doesn't have a clue about what we are looking for).

 

 

When we finally saw the signage, we were led to an unpaved narrow (one-way) road.  It took us another 3-5 minutes to reach Ilog ni Maria.

 

 

We finally saw the farm entrance and a small shop, displaying the farm produce. 

 

I hurriedly took a small native shopping basket and began prowling the place for "pasalubong" and possible giftable items.  I got healing massage oils and propolis throat spray. 

 

My boys love night massages and Ilog Maria's massage oil were just perfect. 

 

Products and price, I think are comparable to other organic/eco-shops we have in Manila. I was expecting something extra (I think, this is a long way from home, after all.).

 

We were running a bit late and rain clouds seem readying a heavy downpour and had to cut our visit short.

Alas, we were  unable to tour the rest of the farm... that could have made the extra mile travel to Ilog ni Maria more worthwhile. 

Maybe next time!

For details on how to get to Ilog ni Maria, please follow this link.

Museum of History

  

Hong Kong has obvious high regards of its history and culture.  For such a small country, it boasts more than 50 first class museums. They have a museum for just about everything... 

 

One of our favorites, whenever we are visiting is the HK's Museum of History. 

 

My kids love the replicas and re-creation of old Hong Kong. 

 

A visit to this museum was more like a make pretend game rather than a education fieldtrip. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 If you are travelling with kids to HK, I suggest you go museum hopping and experience first class museums which are actually both fun and informative.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Porta Verde Boat Ride

The Lake Lumot boat tour came free with our Porta Verde overnight package. 

 

It was a 20 minutes tour via a motorized banca around Lake Lumot.  Lake Lumot is man-made reservoir / embankment dam for the Kalayaan hydroelectric plant located in Cavinti Laguna.

 

Sunset view may not be as magnificent as the others we have in the Philippines, but this one is still special, viewed from a man-made lake surrounded by mountain ranges.

 

Science is Alive - Science in the Park

 

 

Just across the Mind Museum entrance is an outdoor science at work experience. It features an artfully designed playground themed after nature's elements: sunlight, water, wind and greenery. 

 

 

 

The park is divided into play pockets, with the Water pocket as the park's main attraction.

 

We could have easily spent an entire afternoon - having fun making gigantic bubbles! 

 

Get ready to be WET!!!



 

Visit the Mind Museum and jump start your kids' love for Science!