A Visit to the Mind Museum at Bonifacio Global City - Taguig

This might be a bit late entry as I was very preoccupied during the Christmas season. But, hey, better late than never! So, I'm posting about our short visit to the Mind Museum last December 2012. The Mind Museum is located in Bonifacio Global City Taguig. It's actually a promising business district. The first time I visited the area, it felt like I am not in the Philippines at all. It felt the same way this time around, especially when we arrived at the Mind Museum which is truly world-class.

There were four-time slots to choose from 9am, 12pm, 3pm and 6pm. This is so because each batch of guests is given around 3 hours to be able to go around the different science exhibits. It was either you avail of the Museum Pass and choose among the allotted time slot which cost Php 600 per person or purchases an all-day pass where you can visit the museum any time of the day for limited hours which cost Php 750. Luckily, we had our school ID and were given a discount for teachers, and it only cost Php 150 per person. Talk about a significant discount!

discounted ticket

We arrived early for the 3pm slot, and once we got in, the museum guide gathered us on the stairs for a short introduction and rules while inside the facility. So, we were introduced to a robot named AEDI (IDEA spelled backward).

AEDI

And after the short intro, we were separated into 2 groups. One group started on the other half of the museum and the other group into the other side to avoid commotion and that everyone gets a chance to manipulate the exhibits.

I did not bring my SLR, so, I can only share pictures from my Samsung phone. Here are some of the photos I took while inside.

It was like a photo booth except that only your shadows are taken a picture of. :)

different flavors

stairs going up the 2nd flr

love the caption :)

I enjoyed dancing to spell my binary name! It was like dance dance revolution in Play Station

oil rig

Picture A - solar grasshoppers and Picture B - dinosaur skeleton

My personal take in our Mind Museum experience:

1. It was indeed one of the best and neat-looking museums in Manila as compared to the Science Centrum and Museong Pambata which we visited way back elementary and high school.

2. It's an advantage that they let people take pictures unlike in other museums where it was restricted.

3. It's a bit pricey for Php 650, but it was all worth it. You don't have to buy the all-day pass. Just be on time, and you will be able to finish touring around in less than 3 hours. 

4. I was not that amazed at the exhibits because you might have encountered them in some other museums. But, it's very ideal for kids to see as well as adults. 

5. The museum presented human origins from the vastness of the universe down to the tiniest atom in our body. It's more like an "evolution-themed" museum.

For the geeks and curious minds, better head off to the Mind Museum!

Microtel Inn - Manila: A Review

Since I started attending conventions and conferences held in different parts of the Philippines. I managed to appreciate the good luxurious opportunity of staying in hotels. I have been to Microtel Inn - Mactan, Cebu and it was fairly good except for the overly pricey food. This time, I had the opportunity to stay in Microtel Inn - SM Mall of Asia in Manila. Overall, it was pretty much standard with the other Microtel branches nationwide. The interiors are quite different maybe because it caters to various kind of clients - local and foreign. But, the room and facilities are generally the same for all Microtel Inn branches.

Microtel Inn - SM Mall of Asia Manila branch looks like the pictures I'll share with you below:

standard room for 2 - sunset view Microtel Inn Manila

 When you are on the sunset view of the room, you will get to see this picturesque scenario of the city life..

They have quite a limited space in the lobby. In the evening, part of the hall is converted into a bar. In the morning, it becomes an extension of the buffet area where you can see dining tables. After some time it will go back to the usual waiting area for guests.

What my favorite facility at Microtel Inn - SM Mall of Asia is the roof deck where it has an elegant place to stay with the family and swim in their mini swimming pool and at the same time you get a 360 degree view of the city (well at least the SM Mall of Asia area).

Aside from the dynamic list of facilities, Microtel Inn is quite generous for having potable water and they serve it in a water dispenser and a supply of ice cubes on a clean gigantic bucket.

For a budding hotel in the metro, Microtel Inn - SM Mall of Asia is one place to pamper yourself and get to relax even for a short weekend. The staff, facilities and value for money are very reasonable because you are treated professionally and pampered quite well with their available facilities and efficient employee service. 

Birthday Celebration at Resorts World Manila

August 29, 2011, marks my 28th birthday. The original plan was a Puerto Galera getaway but was canceled due to the typhoon. So, we decided to just take a stroll at Resorts World Manila located across NAIA Terminal 3. I may not have a grand vacation but, going to this particular spot in Manila made me feel like I'm out of the country! It was truly a world-class "empire" made for tourists. At the entrance, you'll see the CASINO, where you have to leave your luggage,  electronic gadgets were not allowed so, we had to leave our cameras. 

If you would just like to take a stroll, there's an activity area similar to that of Glorietta where you see benches and fountain. I also observed that visitors in Resorts World are usually families, yuppies (young professionals), oldies and, tourists (Caucasians and Asians). There were lots of restaurants mostly the high-end type. You can choose whether you like Asian or Western cuisine. 

We decided to explore further and realized that the Newport Mall is actually connected to Mariott and Maxim's (both are first class hotels in the country). Another thing that impressed me about Resorts World Manila is the comfort rooms. I think there were about 2 comfort rooms in every hallway of Resorts World (very accessible!).  It was something I don't usually find in other malls. At first, the place looks extravagant and overwhelming but, if you really think about it, it's just like the usual mall except that, the ambiance will make you feel like you're not in the Philippines!

The highlight of our trip to Resorts World Manila was the cinema experience. We watched Crazy, Stupid, Love which was a  feel-good movie. Anyway, Resorts World cinema was unique in the sense that there were movie schedules at 12midnight and 3:00am! Talk about 24-hour entertainment, right?! I've heard of Resorts World cinema that has lazy-boy chairs but unfortunately, we watched the movie in Cinema 4 which was just like an ordinary theatre. But, it was very nice and the chairs were similar to airplane seats! haha! We arrived early for the 10:35 show so, we had spare time for photo ops in the cozy and modern cinema lobby. Apart from that, I observed that movie-goers were decent enough to bring out their trashes after the movie. I wish we are all like that in any cinema.

I wish we could go back again perhaps, even try playing in one of the slot machines in the casino. Overall, it was a pretty good birthday celebration. Kudos to Resorts World Manila!