My BRAVE Experience

I'm so fortunate to be able to join the very first workshop and launching of Brave Philippines last Feb. 22. Thanks to Ms. Kat Enerva for the exclusive invite plus the chance to bring along two of my friends. To know more about this program, please read my previous post here.

First of all, thanks to the instructions and map posted on their website. The three of us were able to find our way in going to the venue, coming from Manila. Here's an outside picture of the building where Studio M is located. Address is at 2/F V.G. Miranda Bldg., 9699 Pililla St., Brgy. Valenzuela, Makati.

The venue is at Studio M, rehearsal studio of the stars.

Upon entering, we were greeted by the organizers, gave us a hand-out and had us sign a waiver form before proceeding to the training area.

Intently reading what was written on the waiver form.

I chose to invite my two mommy buddies because I know we would need this kind of training to protect ourselves and our loved ones. We want to have the confidence and skill which we could use in times of danger. We were actually joking ourselves that after this training, "Lagot sa atin ang mga asawa natin mamaya pag-uwi." or "Kakaratihin natin ang lahat ng umaway satin!".

Excited for the self-defense workshop! Let's get it on!
Wearing blue is Mommy Edel, wearing black is Mommy G.

The session began with a self-introduction by SSgt. Joy Castillo, the female lead instructor followed by each of the attendees, then a brief orientation and run down of the course syllabus. 

Look at these attentive attendees.

Let me share with you some of the important points that are worth knowing.

Mom and Me Fun to be Fit

What is Mom and Me? (as lifted from their website)

Mom and Me was created to foster the relationship of moms and kids through various activities that they can do together.

With our busy lifestyle, it becomes a challenge for us to spend as much time with the kids as we would want to. The weekend is a breeze and often times, we resort to the TV or the mall for quality time. Mom and Me, along with its partner companies, feature all the many activities that you can do together such as arts and crafts, singing, dancing, sports, cooking, and more!

These are activities you may not have initially thought of. You might have enjoyed doing them back when you were still flaunting a 24-inch waist line. Or you might have wanted to do them but just couldn’t get around to it. Happy mom, happy family, so they say. And what else makes a happy mom more than spending time with their adorable bundles of joy!

Mom and Me wants YOU to bring out your active, fun-loving, super-mom selves.  Discover new places, get to know your kids’ interests, and meet new friends. Shared activities allow both you and your child to have a common experience and goal, strengthening your relationship further. These are the memories that we, and our children will look back on and the moments that will define our family.

Mom and Me is a lifestyle event brand of MARS Ideas Inc.

Mom and Me Fun to be Fit

This March, Mom and Me presents its new event series, Fun To Be Fit. Get physical with popular fitness activities such as yoga, aero-mashup and swimming. Each Saturday of the month of March features one activity you and the kids will surely enjoy!

March 1, 2014 (Sat)
Time: 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where (Fitness Activity): Yoga+ (Yoga)
Address: 11th Floor, The Fort Legend Tower, 3rd Avenue corner 31st Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

Age Range: suited for kids ages 5 to 8 

March 8, 2014 (Sat)
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Where (Fitness Activity): Slimmers World Megamall (Aero-Mashup)
Address: 2nd Level SM Megamall Bldg. A Doña Julia Vargas Ave. cor. EDSA, Mandaluyong City

Age Range: suited for kids ages 6 to 12 

March 15, 2014 (Sat)
Time: 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 
Where (Fitness Activity): White Space Mind and Body Wellness (Yoga) 
Address: 6/F Regis Center 327 Katipunan Avenue Loyola Heights, Quezon City

Age Range: suited for kids ages 6 to 12

March 22, 2014 (Sat)
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon 
Where (Fitness Activity): Slimmers World Trafalgar (Aero-Mashup)
Address: 28/F Trafalgar Plaza, H.V. Dela Costa Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City

Age Range: suited for kids ages 6 to 12

March 29, 2014
Time: 9:00 to 11:30 a.m.Where (Fitness Activity): The Legend Villas (Swimming) 
Venue: 60 Pioneer St. corner Madison St. Mandaluyong City

Age Range: suited for kids ages 6 to 12

Entrance Pass is only Php 350 good for mom/dad and one child per day. Participants get the chance to win in raffles and will receive a loot bag filled with treats. 
 
Use the promo code MAM4781 when you purchase your tickets online at their website, www.momandme.com.ph, and get a 10% discount! 

There's more! They're giving away tickets here! (Note: This Rafflecopter is one and the same as from their website. If you have already joined there, that's it. If not, then you can join through here.) And as a favor, hope you could also like The Binondo Mommy's FB page but that's optional and not part of the mechanics.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

GIVEAWAY mechanics: 

A total of 5 tickets will be given away, one for each event day.

Simply follow the procedure below and get a chance to win a Mom and Me Fun To Be Fit ticket worth P350. (Note: For announcement of winners, please refer to their Facebook Fan page.)

1. Contest is open from February 17 to March 28, 2014.

2. Contest is open to all Mom and Me Facebook Fans and Twitter Followers. Make sure to read about the event in their website [http://bit.ly/momandmeweb]. Join this only if you and your little one can attend.  

3. Announcement of winners will be every Monday on the week of the event. 

4. Winners will be announced via Mom and Me Facebook and Twitter. 

5. Entry to this rafflecopter allows Mom and Me to announce the winner to the public. 

6. Prizes are transferable upon request and cannot be exchanged for cash.

7. Tickets must be used on its specific date of validity and cannot be exchanged to another date. 

This event is presented by companies and brands who support the health and fitness of moms and kids: Yoga+, Slimmers World, White Space Mind and Body Wellness Studio, The Legend Villas, Citibank, Enercal Plus, Thor Productions, Malaya Living, Baby Magazine, Travelife Magazine, Circuit Magazine, Mom Center Philippines, and WhenInManila(dot)com.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mommyandmePH

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mommyandmePH

Too bad, we still can't join in their events because my little one is only 14 months old. We'll definitely join this when her age permits her to join. :)
 
Mommy Sally

Brave: Women's Self-Defense Workshop

I have been so used to commuting since I was a kid until today. At some point, I would ask myself why my parents allowed me to be exposed to the uncertainties of commuting. But thinking of it now, I am thankful for training me to become street smart, be equipped with navigating directions and be brave enough to commute to places even if it was my first time. And I thank God for always keeping me safe in my everyday journey. But because I am a mom now, commuting would be a different story especially if with baby. I actually don't dare to go out with her that's why we are not that mobile.

Lately I came across an invite to a workshop called Women's Self-Defense Workshop brought to you by Brave Philippines. It actually got my attention because I have been wanting to learn self-defense. Let me tell you more about the program.

As lifted from their website:

BRAVE is the first and only self-defense system specifically designed for working women. We understand the complexities of modern women's busy schedule that is why any program of BRAVE is optimized and can be completed in just a day. Martial arts and fighting background is not a prerequisite. In just a day, a woman will learn the principles, techniques, and methods on how to protect herself in times of violence.

After any BRAVE program, a student is guaranteed to have the knowledge that can be turned into power in violent situations, and the skills to protect her from people who want to hurt or take advantage of her.

Brave Self-Defense System is based on Kali, the Filipino Martial Arts. Kali is one of the most effective martial arts in the world. So effective that it was used by Matt Damon and Tom Cruise in Bourne Series and Mission Impossible. It was also alleged that Jeet Kune Do (system founded by Bruce Lee) was mostly influenced by Kali because of Bruce Lee's partner, Dan Inosanto who is an instructor of Filipino martial arts.

A working woman is an independent woman. An independent woman must know how to protect herself.

What: Women's Self-Defense and Real Life Combat Training

Time: 9:00am-4:00pm (7 hours with breaks in between)

Price: P2,500.00 

Date: Feb. 22, 2014 (Saturday)
Venue: Studio M Makati

What will I learn in BRAVE?

Registering for a BRAVE Self-defense program would equip you with essential skills that will heighten your awareness in an assault and enable you to protect yourself and your loved ones in times of danger. Registering yourself for a self-defense immediately increases your safety by 90%, guaranteed!

Here are some of the things you will learn:

• Effective striking
• Releasing from various grabs (hair, hand, arms, neck, etc.)
• Dealing effectively with distance
• How to anticipate certain types of attacks giving you advantage
• Disarming and stopping an armed assailant
• Effective counter attacking
• Defending from any line of attack (front, back and sides)
• Immobilizing an attacker
• Taking down an attacker
• Self-awareness and reflexes
• Combat training applicable to real-life situations 

After completing this workshop, you are guaranteed to gain the confidence and skills to protect yourself in times of danger. Your fear will turn into power.

How can I join?
Inquire.
Send a text message: 0927-659-9718 /0936-330-3650
Email: bravephilippines@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BRAVEph
 
What should I wear?
Be in your most comfortable. We suggest coming in with shirt, jogging pants/gym pants/jeans and rubber shoes.

 

What should I bring?
Though we provide lunch, snacks, and hydration on our workshops. Feel free to bring in your own snacks, juices, and bottled water. Bring in face towels and extra set of clothes too.

Where is the training located?
Our venue for workshops is at Studio M Makati.
 

For more info about Brave Philippines, you can visit their website: http://www.braveselfdefense.com/

I'm so excited to attend this self-defense training so that I won't be that scared whenever I go out and commute. Hope to see you there!
 


Mommy Sally


P.S. Please proceed to this link to read about my personal experience on the actual workshop.

Winners for the Two Workshops

Last week, I hosted two giveaways for this Saturday's workshops. Thank you to Manila Workshops for giving The Binondo Mommy's readers a chance to attend two of your First Time Parents series of workshops. I'm sure they are so excited to learn from them.


First, let me list down the names who joined for the Baby Nutrition and Dental Care Workshop. This is based on those who left their names and email addresses on the comment box.

1. Jennifer Bringas
2. Michelle Namilit
3. Gayzell de Jesus
4. Alkina Mendoza
5. Yasmin Besorio
6. Lona Saljay
7. Rowena de Luna
8. Karen Ang
9. Aisa Vagilidad
10. Allysa Pascual
11. Rolly Cirineo
12. Mark Mendoza
13. Vicenta Rada
14. Laurence Tengkiat

For the Delivery and Newborn Care Workshop, here's the list of people who joined. This is based on those who left their names and email addresses on the comment box.

1. Maan Ibarra
2. Yasmin Besorio
3. Rozelle Reyes
4. Vicenta Rada
5. Laurence Tengkiat
6. Mhaybelle Parto


Upon verifying the Rafflecopter entries, there were some who clicked on "Leave a Blog Post Comment" but didn't actually do it and still proceeded to the next tasks. I'm sorry but those entries will be invalid to be fair for those who completed the task. Hope you understand.

Congratulations to the following people who won two (2) seats each. Kindly message me through The Binondo Mommy's Facebook the complete names and email addresses of the people who will be attending the workshop. I need to submit them to the organizers by today Feb. 20 (Thurs).

For Baby Nutrition and Dental Care Workshop:
1. Alkina Carla Mendoza - child: 13 months old
2. Aisa Vagilidad - child: 20 months old
3. Jennifer Baradas-Bringas - child: 13 months old
4. Vicenta Castillo-Rada - children: 9 years old and 18 months old

For Delivery and Newborn Care Workshop:
1. Laurence Lim-Tengkiat - 7 months pregnant
2. Maan Santos Estrella-Ibarra - March due date
3. Mhaybelle Berganio Parto - 25 weeks and 4 days pregnant
4. Rozelle Reyes - child: 1 week old (for her friend who is a teen mom)

Thank you to everyone who joined my giveaway! Till next time!

Don't forgot to join my ongoing giveaway here.

Mommy Sally

Breastfeeding is Love

I am one proud breastfeeding mom to my 14-month old toddler. Until now, I still can't believe how I was able to reach this point and sustain my milk supply. All I can say is that I'm thankful for the seminars that I've attended when I was still pregnant, to the mommies who gave me encouragement, for the unwavering support of the people behind Breastfeeding Pinays Facebook Group, and most especially to my husband for being one with my decision. 

These tips are so true! I hope you'll follow them.

Looking back, breastfeeding wasn't as easy as it seems. But I'm lucky to say that I had an almost successful and smooth breastfeeding journey. I was able to overcome sore nipples, plugged ducts, flat nipple and nipple confusion. Yes these were just a few as compared to other moms' cases but they were quite disturbing. If not for my full determination, tough love, persistence and patience, I won't be able to conquer these breastfeeding battles. 

You read it right! It's a matter of mind power.

Through breastfeeding, I learned the meaning of unconditional love. With my utmost intention to give the best to my child, I swept past sleepless nights feeding my then newborn baby almost every hour with only my breastmilk until she's 6 months old. And because I fed my baby directly from my breast while she co-slept with me through the night, my sleeping habits totally changed. I would need to be in bed earlier than my usual time because baby needs me, my breast, before she could fall asleep. This means shortening my me-time and making me feel unproductive for the day. But I kept telling and reminding myself that this would be my greatest investment for baby, the gift of breastmilk. My goal is to breastfeed my baby until two years old and beyond, as long as I can.

Aside from investing on health, I'm fostering as well our intimate relationship and unique bond as mom and child because I know that we can't be like this forever. Baby would soon be a toddler, a preschooler, a grown-up kid, a teenager then an adult and soon she'll be on her own. I would then miss her warm cuddles, making eye contacts as she breastfeeds and seeing her big smile after feeding. Breastfeeding also relaxes me from all my worries.

I can imagine baby telling this to me. Sweet.

Breastfeeding gave me lots of sacrifices to make. I chose to stay home and let go of my full-time job to give easy access for baby to breastfeed. I hardly had out-of-town trips because I don't want the hassle of being away from baby. My hang-out sessions were minimized or shortened because I couldn't help but to worry if baby would have enough stored breastmilk to drink or if baby might be waiting for me already. The question of whether I need to lug around my pumping paraphernalia would also always cross my mind before I go out. In addition to these, my choice of clothes is becoming limited and out of fashion because I could only wear those that are accessible to breastfeeding. Speaking of clothes, I don't buy ready-made nursing wear or else I would be broke. Instead I just wear button-down polo shirts or low neckline tops with tube on the chest or plain t-shirts with tube placed on my belly. All for the love of breastfeeding. If there's a will, there's a way.

So can relate!

But despite these minimal and short-term sacrifices comes a long list and long-term benefits for baby which money couldn't buy. Let me share with you some of the good things that convinced me to breastfeed.

Why Breastfeed exclusively for 6 months?

• completes antibodies of babies to protect from childhood diseases upto 12 years old
• increased protection from common illnesses
• most superior infant food until 1 year old
• stronger teeth and gums, faster speech development, better social, motor and mental development
• savings on vitamins, trips to the doctor, hospitalization fees, antibiotics
• natural child spacer 

Here are some more benefits of breastfeeding to babies.

Why breastfeed upto 2 years old?

• reduces the risk of contracting family illnesses
• higher EQ and IQ of child
• continuous protection from common illnesses
• for mom: greater protection from cancer and other life threatening illnesses
• for dad: more savings
• confident and happy parents

Here are some more benefits of breastfeeding a toddler.

The list is just an excerpt from the handout on Sustaining Breastfeeding (202 Class) that I attended in Medela last 2012.

Personally, I can already attest to some of the benefits mentioned above. I am proud to say that baby only visited the doctor for her vaccinations and never because of illnesses. She did got sick of runny and clogged nose twice when she was still less than a year old, without taking any medicines even vitamins, it went away in less than a week. On the other hand, despite me having fever and colds, I still continued breastfeeding my baby and yet she didn't get infected. These are indeed some of the miracles of breastfeeding.

All the sacrifices have been paying off because I still have a steady supply of milk even at this stage. I even got to donate some of my excess frozen milk to online strangers and eventually make new friends. Going out has become more convenient because I am already used to breastfeeding her anytime anywhere, lessening the use of my pump. I am able to help hubby save money for baby's future and practical everyday necessities. I can multitask working in front of the computer while baby is latched on to sleep. Breastfeeding gives both of us longer sleeping time now that baby could crawl and help herself to reach for my breast at night without fully waking up or crying for milk. Tip: Just leave your chest open or covered with a blanket when you sleep at night for easy access. Our favorite pose is Australian breastfeeding position where baby is on top of me.

Let me leave you with some more breastfeeding-related infographics to ponder and reflect on.

True! I feel more empowered, confident and fulfilled having breastfed my baby. Let's make good use of the special gift that God has given to us.

Spread the benefits of breastfeeding. Encourage all moms to breastfeed. Let's make breastfeeding the norm.

For a more detailed narration of my breastfeeding journey, I'm inviting you to read my previous blog posts here and here.

Share your love this Valentine's day! Breastfeeding is Love! Happy Heart's Day everyone! :)

Here's me nursing my toddler in public without a cover. I'm wearing a low neckline dress with a tube to cover my chest.

This post is part of the "Breastfeeding is Love" blog link up party. 

Please feel free to visit other posts from fellow mommy bloggers on the joys of breastfeeding! 

Hosted by Chic Mompreneur

Chic Mompreneur: Breastfeeding is Love

My Finance MD: Breastfeeding is Love

Art of Being A Mom: Breastfeeding Love

Mommy Bares All: Breastfeeding is Love Poured Out From One Heart to Another

Wear and Nurse Baby: Breastfeeding is Love! Why I Breastfeed. 

Pinions and Plumage of Love: B-R-E-A-S-T-F-E-E-D-I-N-G is the Longest Spelling of Love

The Binondo Mommy: Breastfeeding is Love

Mamanee's Nest: Breastfeeding is Love

 Mommy Sally

P. S. I lifted those infographics from the Breastfeeding Pinays Photo Albums.

Delivery and Newborn Care Workshop + Giveaway

If I were a pregnant mom, I would be so excited to attend workshops that could help me prepare the coming of my baby especially if it was my first. And that is exactly how I was before. But even though it would be for my second pregnancy, I might be attending these all over again hoping to learn few more things, brush up my knowledge, listen to stories of other moms and meet new friends.

Parents nowadays are so lucky to have easy access to various kinds of parenting workshops. And we must thank Manila Workshops and Medela Moms on this for passionately and continuously serving and catering to our needs.

Presenting to you the third installment of Manila Workshops' First Time Parents (FTP) Series of workshops entitled Delivery and Newborn Care. This event will take place on February 22, 2014 (Saturday) from 1pm to 5pm, to be held at Medela House.

Topics to be discussed:
1. Baby Milestones
2. Newborn Baby Care
3. All About Breastfeeding
4. Safe Sleep

I highly encourage pregnant mommies that they be accompanied by their husbands especially on this topic about breastfeeding because they will be the one to support and back you up when the time comes that you badly need encouragement and moral support.  

Speakers are:
1. Dr. Milette P. Romero 

    - is a practicing pediatrician who graduated from the UST College of Medicine

    - trained in Pediatrics at the Department of Pediatrics, East Avenue Medical Center, Diliman, Quezon City, and was awarded the Most Outstanding Resident of the North Integrated Residency Training Program during her Senior Year of Residency Training

    - was also named Assistant Chief Resident of the Department of Pediatrics at the East Avenue Medical Center during her final year of training

    - presently holds clinics at the MediCard Ortigas Clinic, at Express Medical Center in Robinson’s Galleria, and her personal clinic in Makati

    - will be opening another clinic at the Medical Arts Tower in The Medical City, Ortigas soon

    - a doting godparent to her sister’s children, she possesses a natural love for children, which is what inspired her to pursue a career in the field of Pediatrics

2. Ms. Joyce Martinez 

    - is a certified lactation consultant, and is the in-house lactation counselor of Medela Moms

    - is a registered nurse who also served as a Lactation Manager at St. Lukes Medical Center, Global City

    - earned her Nursing Degree from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, and followed up with a Master of Science in Nursing Degree at UERMMMC Graduate School

    - also conducts presentations and academic talks on the ABC’s of Lactation Management for Nurses, as well as Breastfeeding Classes for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Mothers

    - a breastfeeding advocate, she provides lactation coaching and counseling, not just for breastfeeding and pregnant mothers, but also for their families, while actively organizing and promoting national breastfeeding campaigns

DATE: February 22, 2014 (Saturday)  
TIME: 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
VENUE: Medela House, #29 1st Street, New Manila, Quezon City

Learning Fee:
Regular Rate: P600
Couple’s Rate: P1,000

Kindly go to this link to register: http://manilaworkshops.com/2014/01/first-time-parents-delivery-and-newborn-care-feb-2014.html

Here, I'm giving away four couple seats (4 pairs) to this workshop. Just follow the Rafflecopter mechanics carefully. Giveaway will run for a week, from Feb. 13 until Feb. 19. 

Winners will be announced the next day and will be submitted to the event organizers. Good luck and feel free to invite your pregnant mommy friends especially those first timers.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mommy Sally

Baby Nutrition and Dental Care Workshop + Giveaway

Few months before baby turned 6 months old, I started preparing myself on what and how to prepare baby's first solid food. My initial perception was to feed baby mashed, jarred or boxed food as how it is done the traditional way. Not until somebody shared to me how she fed her child that I came across the term Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) for the first time. I was impressed by her stories where she proudly shared to me that her baby below 1 year old could feed on his own using bare hands, eating sliced vegetables, fruits and even meat. She told me that practicing BLW is the better way to feed baby because of convenience, nutritious, cost-efficient and to avoid picky eaters. She even invited me to join a Facebook support group named Baby Led Weaning Philippines to answer my further queries and doubts. 

Here's my 14-month old BLW toddler eating her chicken wings.

Aside from feeding nutritious food, I also prepared a baby toothbrush for her to get the habit of brushing teeth three times a day. One of my dreaded pains is having dental problems that's why I want to make sure that baby's teeth are well taken cared of as early as now.

My baby loves brushing her teeth especially when she sees me doing it.

And I'm glad that Manila Workshops is offering a workshop about these topics which are both very timely for me, Baby Nutrition and Dental Care.

Presenting to you Manila Workshops and Medela Moms's event this coming February 22, 2014 (Saturday) from 9am to 12noon. This is the second part of their First Time Parents (FTP) Series of workshops.

Topics to be discussed:
1. Nutritional Meals for Baby
2. Baby Led Weaning
3. Dental Care

Speakers are:
1. Ms. Cecile Bayaga
    - registered nutritionist-dietitian
    - full-time faculty at the College of Home Economics, UP-Diliman
    - has been teaching Principles of Nutrition, Nutrition for the Lifecycle, and Medical Nutrition Therapy for the past 12 years
    - has published scientific articles on glycemic index, essential fatty acids for brain development, and clinical nutrition
    - awarded as The Most Promising Nutritionist-Dietitian by the Nutritionists-Dietitians’ Association of the Philippines in 2005
    - has been happily married for 9 years and has one child

2. Dr. Fina Marilag Gupit-Lopez 
    - is a specialist in Pediatric Dentistry
    - is a practicing Pediatric Dentistry Consultant at the Oral Health Care Center in Greenhills and Dentphix, Inc in Pasig City
    - works as a Consultant, Lecturer and Clinical Supervising Staff at the Pediatric Dentistry Center of the Philippines of Dr. Fe del Mundo Medical Center and Foundation
    - Apart from her medical practice, she is also a columnist for Baby Magazine. 
    - has conducted several lectures on oral health care and caring for children’s teeth
    - is married to a businessman, with whom she has 4 children

DATE: February 22, 2014 (Saturday)  
TIME: 9:00 am to 12:00 noon
VENUE: Medela House, #29 1st Street, New Manila, Quezon City

Learning Fee:
Regular Rate: P500
Couple’s Rate: P800

Kindly go to this link to register: http://manilaworkshops.com/2014/01/baby-nutrition-and-dental-care-february-22-2014.html

By the way, I'm giving away four couple seats (4 pairs) to this workshop. Just follow the Rafflecopter mechanics carefully. Promo will run for a week, from Feb. 13 until Feb. 19. 

Winners will be announced the next day and will be submitted to the event organizers. Good luck and feel free to invite your friends.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I'm actually excited to attend this workshop. Hoping to learn and discover more new things to improve my parenting skills. 
 
Mommy Sally

A Trip to Philippine Science Centrum + Giveaway

Since the time I learned that my then-boyfriend-now-hubby's favorite topics were science and history, I made it a point that going museum-hopping would be our common hang-out activity together just so I can relate to him and have something to talk about. I personally enjoy this type of activity too because I thirst for knowledge and exposure. Maybe because I didn't had enough educational field trips when I was growing up. And because of that, I promise myself to bring my child to these places and let her explore while she is still at a very young age.

Last November 2013, I won two tickets to Philippine Science Centrum from Manila Workshops through Moomy Musings blog. I happily told my hubby about it but he was not as excited as I was because he had been there before several times. He actually knew some of the people behind that museum because my hubby had previously dealt with them. But nevertheless, hubby agreed to accompany us. Yipee!

We went to Philippine Science Centrum last Dec.14, 2013 with Baby A and our two helpers. We gave the two helpers my free tickets while the three of us (hubby, baby and me) went in for free. 

Thank you for the souvenir.

BACKGROUND

Did you know that Philippine Science Centrum (PSC) had been in operation since 1990? Happy 24th Anniversary!

Led by Engr. Ceferino Follosco, the museum's main objective is to uplift the Science and Technology education in our country by providing a venue where these concepts can be presented in an entertaining, experimental and interactive workshops easily understood by laymen and children. 

To know more about them, you can read the 'About Us' page from their website by clicking here. 

GALLERIES

PSC currently has twelve (12) Galleries namely:
1. Electricity and Magnetism
2. Vision and Perception
3. Earth Science
4. Liquids
5. Bodyworks
6. Mathematics
7. Infectious Disease
8. Kids' World
9. Space
10. Lights
11. Mechanics
12. Distorted Room


Let me walk you through this science museum using some of the pictures we took.

Vision and Perception

Accompanied by a museum guide, our first stop was the Anti-Gravity Mirror. This was so cool. Although it looked simple, but for a kid this would seem like a magic for them.

I'm flying, weee! And I'm sexy, yeah!

Head on a Platter

Love this trick! Haha!

Wonder House

We went inside excitedly but went out feeling dizzy. Wonder why? Enter and you shall find out why!

Space

Then the museum guide assisted us to this Human Gyro Ride wherein I volunteered to take a ride. Gyro comes from the word gyroscope which refers to a wheel that spins quickly and is held in a frame that allows to tilt in any direction.

All buckled up! Let's go!

Here's a 1-minute video of me while inside the gyro. It was not that easy and relaxing as it seems. It was one heck of a ride, imagine your whole body being turned upside down.

An overall view of the Space Gallery.

Want to check out Your Weight in Other Planets? Step on this weighing scale and see how heavy or light you are in other planets.

Checking baby's and my weight. I find this somewhat inaccurate because baby is only 5kg while me only 51kg?!

Want to be an astronaut? Try this I Am Astronaut exhibit!

Here's my baby astronaut.

Hmm, this astronaut suit looks good on me! Haha!

 
 Electricity and Magnetism

Van de Graaff or famously known as the Static Ball

Hold onto the ball and see your hair electrified!

Lights


Colored Shadow

Baby with her magenta colored shadow.

Distorted Room

Become a giant and a dwarf in an instant by merely switching places inside the room.

Kids' World

We had so much fun inside the kids' world! I'm back to being a child!

Earth Science


Feel the Shake - simulation of the different earthquake intensities

I love this simulation! It really gives you that earthquake shake.

 Wood Sample

Check out the different types of wood by touching the actual sample.

Carbon Footprint

Check out the amount of Carbon Dioxide per Kilowatt hour of the different appliance you use at home.

Infectious Disease

Why Get Vaccinated

Mechanics

Sympathetic Swing
Action and Reaction
 

We enjoyed these common playground rides: swing, seesaw.

Bodyworks


Watch Me Pedal

I enjoyed watching the skeleton imitate my pedal movements.

Come Race With Me

Me and hubby had so much fun running and trying to beat Elma Muros' record of 10 meter dash in 1.2 seconds. Wow!

Liquids

Ring Bubbles

Look at my hubby playing with giant bubbles! Haha!

Meralco All-Electric Energy Efficient Model Home

Learn how much electricity each appliance in the house consumes.

Here's the museum entrance and ticket booth. People came in when we're about to go. Lucky us, we soloed the museum!

Here's their mini souvenir shop.

Picture with Ms. Karen Cantos of the Philippine Science Centrum's Marketing and Promotions Team.

My Sentiments

All I can say is that Science Is so much Fun here at the Philippine Science Centrum. I told my hubby that I like it better here because the exhibits were more interactive and hands-on. Despite its old-looking facilities and infrastructure, you won't get bored inside because you really get to try the exhibits personally and experience it first hand. I got more Aha! moments because there are a lot of exhibits to tinker around. Experiential learning is the best way to appreciate and understand the logic behind science.

My favorite exhibits so far were: Head on a Platter, Wonder House, Van De Graaff, Distorted Room, Kids' World, Feel the Shake, Come Race With Me. Actually, I wasn't able to finish the whole museum maybe because I know that I will be back soon, when baby can already appreciate. Lastly, what I love most is that the entrance fee is very affordable. So I'm inviting everyone to visit one of the earliest science musuem in our country, the Philippine Science Centrum. 

Admission Fee (maximum of 1.5 hours, additional P60 every hour thereafter)

Adult and Private School Students: P120/head
Public School Students: P95/head
Children below 2 years old: FREE Teachers with ID: FREE
Senior Citizen with ID: 50% discount (P60/head)

Museum Hours

Monday to Saturday 8:00am to 5:00pm

Philippine Science Centrum
Address: E-Com Building, Riverbanks Center, Marikina City
Contact No.: 942-5136 or 0905-2597771
Website: http://www.science-centrum.ph/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/philippinesciencecentrum
  
To let you experience what I've experienced in this museum, I'm giving away two (2) complimentary passes each to five (5) lucky readers of The Binondo Mommy. Ticket is valid until May 31, 2014. Just simply follow the mechanics from the Rafflecopter below. 

Raffle will run from Feb. 8 (Sat) until Feb. 28, 2014 (Fri). I will be announcing the winners by first week of March and will be sending the tickets to the winners as well. Good Luck and let's visit Philippine Science Centrum.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

By the way, they have just launched their newest exhibit focused on Environment last Feb. 5. What a good timing to visit them if you haven't gone there for so long. 

Environment exhibits include: Battle of the Bulbs, Biodegration, E-Waste, Biogas Generator, Dual Flush, Surface Run-Off, Standby Power, Let's Recycle.

Mommy Sally