An Afternoon at Planetarium: My Thoughts and What to Expect!

I live in Manila and I'm ashamed to admit that for the 33 years (age revelation! haha!) of my life, I haven't stepped foot at the National Museum or the Planetarium until last March 31. BOS and I have been planning to take the kids to the National Museum but we still haven't done it, must plan it this summer! When I found about the launch of Planetarium's launch of their new full dome projector on Facebook, it fastly became the topic on one of my mommy group chats and one thing lead to another, Michelle and I agreed to go one day. I have been passing Planetarium since I was a kid, I have always been curious but I never got to go so I was excited to take Y with me!

Before I share my thoughts and expectations with you, let me share the history of the Planetarium first!

From the National Museum website:

The idea of putting up a modern Planetarium in Manila was conceived in 1970’s by the former National Museum Director Godofredo Alcasid Sr. with the assistance of Mr. Maximo P. Sacro, Jr. of the Philippine Weather bureau (now PAGASA) and one of the founders of the Philippine Astronomical Society (PAS). The Planetarium is located between the Japanese Garden and the Chinese Garden at the Luneta Park. The project was presented to the former First Lady Mrs. Imelda R. Marcos, then the Chairman of the National Parks and Development Committee (NPDC). As one of her priority projects, Mrs. Marcos requested the Department of Public Works and Highways to prepare the Planetarium in one month’s time and allocate the funds for the construction. Construction of the building began in 1974 and took nine months to complete. It was formally inaugurated on October 8, 1975. The Presidential Decree No. 804-A, issued on September 30, 1975, affirmed the Planetarium’s status. Its primary function is to disseminate astronomical information through planetarium shows, lectures, demonstrations, exhibits and actual celestial observations. The unique feature of the Planetarium is the true-to-life projection of astronomical bodies that captures the interest and tickles the imagination of viewers. The GM-15 Goto Planetarium Projector was acquired through the Japanese Reparation Program in the Philippines. Through the years, improvements have been made in the Planetarium building through the efforts of its former Directors. In May 2010, Director Jeremy Barns approved the funds for the major repair of the Planetarium Projector which is considered to be the heart and soul of the Planetarium. Efforts to continually develop its facilities are ongoing and the public could expect improvements in 2013.

This was my quick review I made and posted through Instagram but edited for this blog post. :)

Went to National Museum Planetarium with Y and  Michelle (My Mom-Friday) and her kids last March 31. Admission is free until April 30. It's currently running 5 shows on Tuesday-Saturday and 2 shows on Sunday.

They're currently running three shows: Hayabusa Back to the Earth, Journey to a Billion Suns and A Planet for Goldilocks.

Tuesday-Saturday: Planetarium Program: 

1st show: 9:00 am - A Planet for Goldilocks

2nd show: 10:30 am - Hayabusa Back to the Earth

3rd show: 1:00 pm - A Planet for Goldilocks

4th show: 2:30 pm - Journey to a Billion Suns

5th show: 4:00 pm - Hayabusa Back to the Earth

Sunday:

1st show: 10:00 am - Journey to a Billion Suns

2nd show: 2:00 pm - Hayabusa Back to the Earth

What to expect:

1. The theater can accommodate 200 pax only per show. If they reached 200, they won't let you in anymore and you have to wait until the next show which is 1.5 hours apart.

2. Expect long lines and a waiting time of at least 1 hour. It's hot so bring your paypay/portable fans! They only give out tickets after the previous show is done. Kids 4 and below are strictly not allowed.

This was what greeted me upon entering the gate. There's 1 guard who regulates the line.

 If you are lining up and there's this many people, always remember who's in your front and back because may mga sumisingit!

Ayan busy sila. Kanya kanyang phone!

3. Bags are not allowed inside. Cellphones are also prohibited inside the theater. Only your wallet and other important belongings are allowed. They also have a baggage counter where you can leave your things. You can get your cellphones after the show and take photos around the exhibits.

When the line started moving, there's a table near the entrance. They asked us to write our names, what age and grade are the kids in and gave us this ticket.

Then fall in line again going in the theater and for leaving your bags at the baggage counter.

4. The theater is new. Amoy bago! Lol

Since phones aren't allowed inside, I grabbed this photo from the Planetarium's Facebook Page. This photo speaks for itself.

5. Each show is 30 minutes long. We watched Journey to a Billion Suns. The show is nice and Y enjoyed it, she learned something new! It's a full dome show meaning the show is projected to the dome, hence you have it watch it in an inclined position. Nakaaliw pero medyo nahilo ako (aging? Haha!).

6. If you want to watch the next shows, you have to fall in line again. Come early in the morning and catch the early shows, baka less people and not as hot.

7. I hope they'll have a better ticketing system that they'll give out or let people buy tickets in advance (after April 30) for the next shows parang sa movies so there's no need to line up in the heat!  People can go around Luneta while waiting for the next shows.

8. Worth it? Besides the wait and init, yes. Make a Manila tour, visit na din National Museum and Intramuros! Will be come back? Yes, we'll come back for the other shows pero baka pag hindi na ganon ka-init!
9. If you are driving, parking can be a challenge. They have limited parking area, I think maybe only 6-8 cars can fit. You can park by T. Kalaw (challenge din) or the parking lot near Nayong Pilipino but medyo mahaba ang lalakarin niyo.

10. You can enter via Rizal Park at the Japanese or Chinese Garden, forgot which one.

Almost one month later after our visit, I really hope the lines aren't as long and their ticketing system has since improved (even just a little). Y wants to go back and watch the other shows. If you've gone recently, kindly share your experience!

For more information, visit National Museum Planetarium Facebook Page or http://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/!

A&D Family: The Mind Museum + Ippudo Day

During the Holy Week, BOS and I took the kids out to The Mind Museum at BGC then dinner at Ippudo in SM Megamall after. It's was a first for all of us so we were quite excited. It was Black Saturday, streets were empty, parking was easy, and the museum wasn't too crowded.

We arrived around 3PM. Papa hand-in-hand with the kids!

Aedi greeted us as we enter Mind Museum.

I am one of those who didn't really excel in Science in school but I am always interested with Science (just not interested in listening to my teachers, haha!). I want to take my kids to as many museums this summer as well as expose them to Science this early.

Trying out new things. Y is a very shy kid and is always apprehensive to try new things. I was happy that she was game to try this after seeing me try it too.

Then Y got scared when she saw this because she thought it's real like the one in The Night at The Museum hehe!

Human evolution. This scared the kids too heehee! But they will eventually learn about this in school.

She likes the more interactive and fun part of the museum like this. It's a flying ball!

 And as always, monkey see, monkey do! Hehe!

Adults get learn new things at the Mind Museum. This got BOS's attention.

And there's this test which I failed haha! You think you know it all, but you don't! What do you think is the answer to this question? :)

R thought this was real. I was putting my head inside its mouth and R kept on saying "No! No!" Haha!

Hair-raising experience for Y!

This kept them laughing and they were at this for 5 minutes. Haha!

It's all about Chemistry!

And this was probably R's favorite spot in the museum. We couldn't get off him the arcade. Good thing there was no line. I think he stayed here for about 20 minutes. Our little car-loving boy.

More games and it's all for free (well, it's inclusive in the entrance fee haha!).

We spent around 1.5 hours in the museum. I didn't get to read everything posted because R was a bit makulit and I have to run and chase after him. Y doesn't know what "Science" is because she's not studying it yet in school but I still want to them to expose them to different things.

What made them most excited was the playground outside the museum. Too bad one of the slides was being repainted but the kids still got to enjoy playing!

They can play here all day!

After our almost 2 hours museum trip, we were deciding where to eat for dinner. I thought we were going to eat around the area but BOS suggested why not eat at Ippudo in Megamall. He figured it was a holiday and there would be not a lot of people at the mall, there would be no line at Ippudo and I thought why didn't I think of that?! But lo and behold, when we got to Megamall, there was a long line to the parking! And we had to wait another 40 minutes at Ippudo. Wewewe...

The line started pass the "Line Starts Here" sign. I was a bit hesitant to line up because I was hungry already plus we were with two kulit kids. But then I thought, if I don't eat here now, when will I? We just took turns running after R na lang and gave the kids snack so they won't get hungry!

The line moves naman every 10-15 minutes? Sometimes there would be a free table but it's for sharing or you will be sat at the counter. We refused twice. We wanted our own table because we know R would be makulit. I don't want other people to be hassled by us.

30 minutes into the line, this guy came out and gave away cold tea to us who were waiting

Almost there! And after 5 minutes of torture with this view in the waiting line, my name was finally called.

After 1 million years! We ordered 3 bowls of Shiromaru Motoaji with Tamago, a pork bun and gyoza.

Patiently waiting (for 5 minutes haha) for his noodles. They give us kiddie bowls and spoon.

BOS and I each had a bowl while the kids shared another bowl. I think my kids can also finish a bowl of their own. Alam ko na next time!

This lady brought her own chopsticks. Her papa told her pala the night before that we were going to eat ramen kaya she reminded yaya to pack this in their bag.

Yummy pork buns which I will try to replicate at home!

I had to order gyoza. My blog name wouldn't have "dumplings" in it for no reason. But sadly, this was so s and the gyozas were small.

Verdict? It was good but I have to go back 2-3 times pa to really know for myself if I like the ramen. And maybe I was too hungry, I inhaled my food so fast, I forgot how it tastes like. Hahaha! When BOS asked Y how she finds the new ramen place, she said she  still likes the one with the "kahoy kahoy" interior. Hehe! Our favorite ramen place remains to be Ikkoryu!

We day ended on a sweet note with Bonogelato! Thank you Papa for taking us out, more family days like this please :)

Robert Irwin's Wild But True Adventure on Discovery Kids

There's a new show on the block that kids who love science, technology, nature and what nots must watch! On Discovery Kids’ brand new series Wild But True, hosts Robert Irwin and Isabel Yamazaki show how biomimicry – the imitation and application of nature’s systems, models, designs, or elements – has paved the way for technology and inspired many modern-day inventions. Wild But True premieres every Tuesday at 5:00 p.m., starting 2 December. Encores every Saturday at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Two weeks ago, I was able to take Y with me to the Show and Tell with Robert Irwin at The Exploreum Laboratory at SM Mall of Asia. I was excited about going to this event as I was a bit of a fan of Steve Irwin and Y is still very new to anything science.

The Irwin Family. Bindi is all grown up na! And Robert is a very intelligent boy! You really can feel his passion for science and nature proving the apple doesn't fall far from the tree!

The 10-year old Robert Irwin is starring in his first solo TV series with Isabel Yamazuki (in her television debut), the resident science geek reveal how science has made mankind a true student of Mother Nature. On each episode, they explore nature’s amazing solutions for problems in the wild and reveal how we humans use these blueprints to make our world greener, safer, more efficient, and more fun for future generations to come! Artificial intelligence in the form of their digital friend Giles helps them along the way – Giles provides clues that will lead them to the answers behind the most puzzling questions, and also hooks them up with scientists, researchers, and developers from across the world who tell us more about the each item or technology. 

Robert and Isabel!

Robert demonstrated a few experiments for us during the show and tell which was so awesome! I wanted Y to volunteer but she was shy. :)

More of these on Wild But True!

To better understand concepts, features, and abilities intrinsic in the wild world, Robert and Isabel will also create and participate in fascinating experiments. Kids everywhere will be awed as they discover the impact animals have on humans. Tune in and join the dynamic duo as they reveal where and how nature has helped make our lives better and easier. Get ready for an adventure-filled journey across time, space, science, and nature that can only be described as Wild But True!

Photos from Australia Zoo website

And can I just add this here. I posted this on my IG and I want to put it here again. I was really moved and touched (at naiyak talaga ako) at what the mom said about her kids. The Irwin family lives in Australia Zoo, they do distance learning program.

What her kids won't tell us about it this: They're both straight A students and you can really here how the mom is so proud about her children's achievements. Robert is 10 and is 2 years ahead of his class and is in Grade 7 while Bindi is taking college courses! How amazing! They are truly blessed to have each other.

We got to have a photo with the family! Don't forget to watch!

Wild But True premieres every Tuesday at 5:00 p.m., starting 2 December. Encores every Saturday at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. For more information visit www.dkids.asia/event.