Museo Pambata, A Museum for All

June 27, 2015, Saturday, was the first ever Bloggers Day that was held last  at the Museo Pambata, Manila. The successful event was lead by Ms. Chie Roman and Dra. Nina Yuson-Lim, Museo Pambata CEO. Their aim was to promote to the media the various interactive exhibits the museum offers and to teach them that learning and fun can go side by side.  

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
This was not my first time at the Museo Pambata. Eleven years ago, after seeing it being featured on a TV show, I said to myself, "this is it!".  This is a place where my children could learn, discover and have fun at the same time. Unlike the other museums I grew up with, this one is interactive. And as an advocate of discovery learning, I know that children assimilate most if they could actually experience and not just read things from the book or watch it behind a glass cabinet. And so, I brought the four of them here and I was happy to see the result. My children had a blast apart from learning. Even I was enlightened to a few things that I didn't learn from school. And so I realized that this museum isn't just for kids but for everyone who are willing to learn constantly.

A BRIEF HISTORY

The Museong Pambata is the brainchild of Dra. Nina Lim-Yuson. Being a mother of four and an educator, she hoped that one day the Philippines would have our own interactive museum where the children can learn and have fun at the same time. With the help of friends and the local government, Museo Pambata was opened in 1994 at the historical Elks Club beside American Embassy. And since then, it has opened its door to millions of children and adults alike.

THEME ROOMS

MAYNILA NOON (OLD MANILA)

The Old Manila Hall will gives you a feel of the turn of the century Manila. It feature different replicas that became a big part of our history namely the tranvia or tramvia (electric street tram) that used to run around the streets of Manila during the American occupation; a Galleon Trade ship - big ships that sailed the Pacific Ocean carrying goods from Acapulco, Mexico to Manila, Philippines  and back; then there's the Binondo Church; there's also a gallery of Filipino heroes; and lastly, the La Puerta del Sol where you can find pictures of the old Manila and a mini-Bahay na Bato with some old things that the kids can actually touch and play with.

KALIKASAN (ENVIRONMENT)

The Kalikasan (Environment) Hall can be found on the left side of the ground floor.  You can find a simulated  seabed and rainforest inside, a bahay kubo that shows all the vegetables that grows around it, a Botika ng Barrio, a Botanical garden, and replica of a rice field. They were made to inspire the children to take part in the preservation of Mother Nature.

BATA SA MUNDO (CHILDREN IN THE GLOBAL VILLAGE) 

This is a hall that showcases various musical instruments and dolls from different parts of the world.  Children can play indoor games here too.

MY BODY WORKS! (KATAWAN KO)

This room displays the different parts of the human body and it teaches us how our organ works to keep our body functioning.

MARKETPLACE (PAMILIHANG BAYAN)
This hallway is a replica of a typical market place. Here, the children can pretend to shop or sell, or whatever they feel like doing. At the end of it is a firetruck where the kids can actually ride on it while wearing a fireman's uniform.

CAREER OPTIONS (PAGLAKI KO)
The room highlights different kinds of career a child could choose from when they grow up. Presently, it's featuring the writers and illustrators. 

I LOVE MY PLANET EARTH
This room exhibits the different effects of climate change and other environmental issues and the things that we can do about it. 

It's very Filipino to bring home "pasalubong" from a place where you've been, so the gift shop outside the Bata sa Mundo Hall is perfect for your souvenir shopping. You can choose from the wide array of their merchandise.  

And for the book lovers, the children's library is just waiting for you at the end of Pamilihang Bayan Hall.

Aside from the free tour, they prepared a program for everyone. First, Museo Pambata CEO, Dra. Nina Lim-Yuson gave a short speech and history of the museum, then afterwards, the Bayanihan, the National Dance Company of the Philippines, performed a few famous Filipino folk dance like the Tinikling and the Maglalatik. The children also enjoyed a story given by an in-house story teller.

The event ended with a sumptuous lunch at the Karapatan Hall. We were also given free Ice cream by the famous brand Carmen's Best. 

VISITOR INFORMATION

Museo Pambata is located at  Roxas Boulevard corner South Drive, Manila, with telephone numbers 531-1797/98. You can also email them at info@museopambata.org or you can visit their website at www.museopambata.org for more information. 

HOURS

Tuesday to Saturday:

8 AM to 5PM September to February

9 AM to 5 PM from March to August

Sundays:

1 PM to 5 PM

The museum is closed on Mondays and other holidays.

FEES

Children (2 years old and above) & Adults: P150

Manila Residents with valid ID: Free on Tuesdays and 50% off on other days

Museum workers and teaching staff with valid ID: Free

Groups with 30 people or more can avail of a discount. 

They also now hold children parties. For inquiries visit www.museopambata.org/parties.html