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

Seeking Business Opportunities Workshop

As I've mentioned in my last post, I love attending seminars not just for freebies but for the added knowledge that could boost my confidence as a person. Last Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014, I attended a workshop. This time it's not about parenting but about a more serious stuff: Business. I graduated a college course in Entrepreneurship but I'm embarrassed to share that I haven't applied or haven't ventured into being an entrepreneur yet. I envy and look up to those people who have their own businesses, has a direction in life and let money work for them. I've been meaning to become a mom-preneur but didn't know how or where to start. I was so excited to listen to this seminar, hoping that it could change my life somehow or at least my attitude.

The title of the event is Seeking Business Opportunities. Let me share with you the things that I've learned or noted down from the lecture of Mr. Jeff Cua. Pardon my poor note-taking skills. These were the only things I have picked up. And also because I came in late that's why I wasn't able to get the earlier parts of the talk.

As lifted from the hand-out, Opportunity Seeking was defined as:
- a quality that enables the entrepreneur to see and act upon new business opportunities even in situations where other people see nothing but problems or hopelessness only
- encourages him/her to seize unusual opportunities for obtaining the necessary resources such as financing, equipment, land, workspace, technical assistance which will enable him/her to implement his/her business ideas

Part I: There are Two (2) Sources of Ideas: Problems and Untapped Resources. 

1. Look for Problems such as: 

• Dislike - think of something that people or you yourself dislike about
• Missing - think of something that is still missing or not yet available
• Hard - think of something that is difficult, complicated, time-consuming, burdensome
• Lack - think of something that is still lacking or incomplete
• Bother - think of something that irritates or annoys you
• Time - busy or no time to do this or that
• Knowledge - knows a little or nothing about a certain topic
• Reach - not accessible
• Novelty - something new or different/unique

2. Look into your Untapped Resources such as:

• Network - those you frequently interact with
• Skills - share what your talents or skills are
• Hobbies - share the things that you love to do, your passion
• Knowledge - share what you know or things you want to impart that can benefit others
• Experience - share your experience or what you have gone through

Part II: Create a Differentiated Solution.

1. Product in terms of new Feature, Performance, Style or Design 
    - should be distinct or has a unique identity
2. Service in terms of its Speed, Convenience or Careful Delivery - i.e. Zalora vs Sulit.com
3. Channel in terms of Coverage, Expertise or Performance - i.e. SM vs Shop Mom & Pop

Part III: Turning Ideas to Opportunity

1. Who and how many customers need it (Look for your Target Market)
2. Flow on how business works:

    a. Need Recognition
    b. General Need Description
    c. Product Specification
    d. Supplier Search
    e. Proposal Solicitation
     f. Supplier Selection
    g. Order Routine Specification
    h. Performance Review

Here are some of my take-home personal learning:


* Problems are found in the community or found everywhere.

* In seeking business opportunities, you should be in the know. You should know the current events or latest news.

* Always begin with the problem because problems will lead you to customers.

* It's an opportunity if there's money there. 

* Think of something you've never seen before.

* Follow the basic supply and demand principle.


So there you go. Enough of the serious stuffs, let me show you some of the photos that I was able to take during the event.

Attendees seated in a conference room inside the Ortigas Foundation Library after the break.

People from PRU LIFE U.K. gave a speech and invited everyone to attend their "Build Your Business" event.

PRU LIFE also raffled off some prizes to lucky attendees, such as umbrellas and planners.

Picture with the speaker Mr. Jeff Cua and distribution of Certificate of Attendance.

Group picture. Pardon the angle of the shot, I can't blame the person who took this photo, hehe. :)

Ofcourse, picture with the organizer and owner of Manila Workshops, Mommy Ginger.

Picture with the oh-so-cute fashionista Baby Zeeka! I missed my baby.

It was my first time to know about this place, Ortigas Foundation Library.

Thank you Manila Workshops and Innove Creative Entrepreneurship for coming up with this kind of seminars. Please click the link and connect with them through their Facebook Page to know more about their upcoming events.

Mommy Sally

Seeing Doubles: Support Group for Moms with Multiples

Medela House, where Medela Moms (Ms. Maricel Cua and Ms. Beng Feliciano) fulfill their advocacy, had been very instrumental and played a big role in my motherhood journey. It was where I first learned all about breastfeeding and got inspired to choose only this option in feeding my baby. I have been a loyal or frequent participant of their numerous parenting classes up until now. 

If there's one decision that I was able to make it right, it was purchasing my Medela breast pump directly from them, the Philippines' authorized distributor. Not only am I ensured of the quality of their products, they even offer to their valued customers free seats to some of their workshops as part of the perks. Aside from organizing learning events, they also offer breastfeeding counseling and help pool breast milk donations whenever necessary, among other things. 

Knowledge is very important that's why I enjoyed attending seminars in order to equip and update myself on the modern ways of parenting. One of the most sought-after topic is breastfeeding. Everyone knows that breastfeeding can be challenging and demanding, what more if you are nursing multiples, i.e. twins, triplets. But according to them, double the effort, double the fun too. 

Medela Moms is inviting all couples who are expecting twins or multiples to come to Medela House this Saturday, February 8, 2014 as they launch their first-ever Support Group for Moms with Multiples entitled Seeing Doubles. Medela Mom Beng would be there to share her first-hand experience of her own set of double blessings. This is the best time for parents with multiples to raise their questions and concerns and meet with other fellow "multiples moms".

Alongside the launch of "Seeing Doubles', there are also other exciting programs lined up for moms. These include:

• launching of SweatPea Nursingwear and showcasing of Walnut Melbourne Philippines stylish kiddie shoes through a fashion show featuring celebrity moms Amanda Griffin-Jacob and Marilen Faustino-Montenegro and kids. Listen too as they share their own modern day mom breastfeeding experiences.
• book signing by Amanda Jacob's Project Mom Book, co-authored by Bianca Araneta-Elizalde and a limited number of books will be available for selling.

This event is free of charge but attendees are required to pre-register by texting Medela Moms at 0917-8110821 or sending an email to medelamoms@gmail.com.

Event: Seeing Doubles: A Multiples Support Group
Date: Feb. 8, 2014 (Saturday)
Time: 9:00 to 11:00 am
Venue: Medela House

I know how important a support group is. I, myself, am very thankful for having mommy friends who have babies with same age as mine because we support each other especially in breastfeeding. And I'm happy that I am still breastfeeding my 14-month old.

Sign up now to experience the first support group for mommies of multiples in the country!

Giveaways, special promos, candy buffet, and other treats are in store for participating mommies. See you there!

Mommy Sally

Grand Baby Fair 2014

Since the time Baby A came to our life, my shopping agenda and pocket money was all for baby. Last year, when I found out about the Grand Baby Fair, I and my two other mommy friends went to Megamall to check it out. We had so much fun despite going there on the last day because there were lots of freebies, last minute mark down, and the most-awaited SWAG bag!

Last year Grand Baby Fair 2013's SWAG bag.

And as soon as the announcement of the Grand Baby Fair schedule for this year 2014 came out, I immediately informed my 2 mommy friends to go and visit the fair again. Online registration came out just one week before the fair and luckily I was able to register early. What's good about registering online and a Mom Card holder is the added perks of getting coupons via email to be printed out and presented on selected booths to redeem the freebies. The email looked like this.

 

There were five coupons.

 

Grand Baby Fair 2014 poster.

Their theme was Under the Sea-ty. 

This is their entrance, for walk-in registrants.

 
 

I'm a certified Mom Card holder!

I wasn't able to take photos of the booths because I'm busy enjoying the fair myself and on the look-out for great finds. Here are some of the booths that I was only able to take upon passing by.

Pigeon booth.

Cycles and Cradle booth.

Swimava booth.

I redeemed my free candies here.

Evian booth.

Picture taking with the backdrop and costumed people.

Picture with Cid, mascot of Lactacyd.

I took a picture of this helpful Baby Company staff. Look at the very long lines on the first day.

I played the Panchinco and was able to redeem a Zoo Bin.

Fisher-Price booth.

Me and my friend Mommy G bought lots of goodies home. We enjoyed it again this time!

We arrived there around 5:30pm and went home by 10:30pm after our dinner at Chili's. Thank you to Mommy Edel for the ride and for her hubby Doc A for helping us push our carts in line while we continue strolling around. We forced ourselves to reach the minimum purchase of P3,000 so that we could get home a SWAG bag. Yey!

Swag Bag unpacked plus a Goldilocks picture frame. Swag bag has a shoulder strap now.

Inside contents of the Swag Bag.

I think I like this year's Swag bag better because there's a cute bag which made it worth getting.

Freebies redeemed from the coupons. Gerber and Bibibons, I got it from their booths. I love the Zoo Bin and Photo Bag!

Here are the things that I've bought, amounting to P3,167.

Here are my good finds or super-sulit buys:
1. Stacking Soft Toy - P200 only, before was around P800
2. Vtech Mobile Phone - P500 only, before was around P1,300
3. Vtech Animal Alphabet Train - P640 only, before was around P1,800
4. Castle Baby bolster - P200 from around P470
5. Pitter Pat sandals - P100 only from before around P350

You still have until tomorrow to check out the fair! Good luck and enjoy your shopping! 

"Sa breastfeeding, maraming pang-shopping!"  and I will always remember that so that I won't be guilty of spending for baby. :)

Like Baby Company's Facebook Page to get updates on their latest promos and events.

Mommy Sally

Kung Hei Fat Choi 2014

Happy Chinese New Year everyone (新年快樂) ! It's officially Year of the Wooden Horse!

Here's a picture taken at Lucky Chinatown Mall. The mall is so festive. You can really feel the new year celebration and get to feel the Chinese culture here. There's free angpao (with purchase required), lighting of incense, striking a gong, picture with a kalesa statue, rickshaw and other Chinese accents, decorations and programs. 

So come and visit Lucky Chinatown Mall, walk along Ongpin Street and visit Eng Bee Tin for their famous hopia and tikoy, pay a visit to Narra Seng Guan Temple for more luck this year.

The horse is made up of wooden pieces of chopsticks stuck onto the wall by people.

The rickshaw.

Picture with the giant golden bar.

 Wishing you all the wealth and prosperity this year and the years to come. 恭喜發財!

年年有餘！

馬到成功！

萬事如意！

身體健康！

Grand Baby Fair here we come!

Mommy Sally