Monday, May 14, 2007
MUSEO PAMBATA NG MAYNILA
Museo Pambata owes its existence to two women.One was Nina Lim-Yuson, an early childhood educator and mother of four who, after taking her kids to the Boston Children’s Museum in the States and after seeing how much fun her children had with those hands-on exhibits, wished for a similar place back home where millions of other Filipino children can learn and have fun in the process.
The other, Estefania Aldaba-Lim, a former Department of Social Welfare and Development secretary and a United Nations appointment as Special Envoy for the International Year of the Child 1979. Together, these two women envisioned the establishment of a museum as a venue for alternative learning for children, especially for those without access to formal education.
In March of 1993, Lim and Yuson presented a proposal of their dream children’s museum to the then Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim who had just arrived from a UNICEF Mayor’s Meeting on the Rights of the Child in Mexico City. The two women included in their proposal for the historic Elks Club Building on Roxas Boulevard in Manila to be converted for this purpose. Much to their delight, Mayor Lim approved the project. On December 21, 1994, Museo Pambata was officially opened to the public.
The museum is primarily a children’s interactive museum established to enhance the lives of Filipino children. It boasts eight theme rooms where children, families, and school tour groups can explore new and exciting ways to relive our rich cultural heritage, assuming a pro-active role in caring for the environment, understanding how the human body works, discovering certain aspects of science through play, imagining what they could become someday, and understanding human rights in a global perspective. Educational programs for both children and adults enhance Museo Pambata’s interactive exhibits.
The museum also offers a children’s library and resource center, gift shop, multi-purpose hall, changing exhibits hall, outdoor theater, playground, and parking space.
Roxas Boulevard corner South Drive, Manila
Open on Tuesdays to Saturdays, 9:00am to 5:00pm; Sundays from 1:00pm to 5:00pm
Streetchildren, infants, teachers, and museum workers – free
Children and adults – P60.00
Seniors – P40.00
Manila residents – free on Tuesdays; 50% discount on other days
Tour groups of 30 or more can avail of special rates
Telephone: 523-1797 to 98
posted by Señor Enrique at 7:49 PM
46 Comments:
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said... Cute ng church, parang playhouse... :)
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Señor Enrique said... This is undoubtedly a fun museum for kids and their parents, Rhoda! I wish that more locals find time to discover it and enjoy what it offers.
Its website lists its monthly activity/exhibition schedule. Check it out.-
carlotta1924 said...
ahh, the earthquake table! this one's more colorful than the one i saw. =) i'd like to go to the museo pambata sometime though i'm old already hahahaha.
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Señor Enrique said...
Actually, Carla, there were groups of adults I saw in there who had as much fun as the kids with their parents :)
Go! Bring some friends along and have fun!-
mgaputonimimi said...
memorable place itong museo sa akin at sa aking mga kasamahan sa thesis.. ginawa naming subject ito...
katuwa pagmasdan ang mga batang nagfe-fieldtrip dito.. Ü cute nila!-
NOYPETES said...
It say's "street children" come in free. Are there museum volunteers helping out these kids? I hope they are not required to dress up to get in for free. This idea should be brought out to the other regions of the Philippines. You are using your camera and skills to promote these learning facilities and have kept your goal to help the young kids enhance their knowledge and cultural awareness. Yu da man!!!!!
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said...
that place reminds me of the Touch Me museum in Philly, where i used to take my kid to.
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Gita Asuncion said...
i think my nieces will enjoy it here. i have to find time to bring them there before school starts again.
senorE, no restrictions sa photoshooting???-
Señor Enrique said...
Oo nga, Mimi -- mas maganda mag-picture taking dito kung may mga bata. Nakakatuwa makita ang mga masasaya nilang mukha.
Bakit kaya dito tungkol ang iyong thesis?-
Señor Enrique said...
Hi Noypetes!
NCCA (National Commission on Arts and Culture) actually has launched a program of promoting our local museums to our teachers hoping that they in turn will be encouraged to bring their students here for their field trips.
I am not fully aware of the programs, if any, that Museo Pambata has specifically for street children. But now that you mentioned it, I will ask the next time I visit the place.
Incidentally, I believe anyone is allowed to take pictures here, especially of course among parents who want to document every mover that their children make ... hehehe.
As for the sunsets in Roxas Boulevard, I've been there a couple of times recently. So far there was no one to stop me from doing so.-
Señor Enrique said...
Since this museum is based from the one in Boston, Leo, I have a feeling that most states in America does have a children's museum nowadays. As we all know, American culture is more supportive of such endeavors.
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Señor Enrique said...
They will indeed have a great time in that museum, Gita! I'm sure of that :)
I saw lots of folks taking pictures inside so, I can only surmise that picture taking is allowed for all.
Have fun!-
noemi said...
I often brought my kids to this place. How they love it. I am sure they have fond memories of museo pambata.
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said...
I think it's nice that Manila has a children's museum now. I don't recall going to any museum when I was still there.
We also have a Children's Museum here in Winnipeg and have brought the kids there many times aside from their yearly school field trips there.-
Unknown said...
Dear Senor Enrique,
Wow great pictures again :) thanks for sharing this-- because like I mentioned in my blog our digital cam broke down or the battery has no charge. I was really sad that the A70 didn't work and we have Genuine as house guest from bantay bata. Haay. Camera phone na lang po kami. Baka po i link ko na lang ito sa blog ninyo if ever i post about our trip there.
We had a great time two of us moms, one tita, 2 kids and one baby who loves the bahay kubo.
I am truly thankful to the two women who started this project. Its good to know a bit of history.
The street kids-- meron po kami nakasabay noon-- hindi po sila nag bihis para makapasok (they were not required to dress up) I am happy that they were able to access Museo-- sa kanila nga namin nakita yung small details like the water well sa gilid ng kubo when they were pretending to get water to cook some food or serve in the carinderia--we had a good time watching they enjoy themselves.
We enjoyed our visit as well!
hay dito na tuloy ako nakapag entry :)
kakatuwa talaga. subra!-
said...
Whenever I pass by or hear about Museo Pambata, I can't help but feel nostalgic since a friend of mine who passed away years ago was involved in designing the Science Exhibition section here when it started. He even spent a night there at that room just to get some ideas on how it should looks like in which at that time didn't have anything at all. He enjoys kids a lot and am glad kids are enjoying the place still.
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Unknown said...
Eric, you were able to take pictures! That means there were no restrictions regarding photo-taking?
Isn't Estefania Aldaba-Lim the mom of Cheche Lazaro? I have always admired her since she served as DSWD secretary.
If street kids are admitted in for free, wouldn't it be a good idea to organize groups of street children this summer and take them there? If you can spearhead that, I am willing to do what I can to help, short of being physically present. It would be wonderful for them to have a chance to enjoy the museum and even if they can't visit again, their imaginative and creative minds will take care of the rest. :)-
Sidney said...
I am a bit old for that but I might give it a try next time I am near the American Embassy.
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Ai Dihayco said...
Never been to this place when i was in Manila last year twice..hmmm...next time i'll drop by this place. Good, that there's no restrictions on taking pictures..tks for sharing Senor Enrique.
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said...
nice feature eric, i hope this posts make people aware that there are fun and informative place for children to learn and visit on a field trips... good job eric.
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Señor Enrique said...
I wonder, Noemi, if their multi-purpose hall is available for rental for children's parties?
It'd be much more fun celebrating a child's birthday in the museum than in the usual Jolibee's. Or just have Jolibee's cater the event if they really cannot live without it but hold the affair inside the museum.-
Señor Enrique said...
I believe they also have one in NYC, Irene, but I haven't seen it.
I'm sure your kids always enjoyed themselves in your city's museum otherwise they would have never wanted to go back.-
Señor Enrique said...
Hi Daisy,
I've a feeling you will return to the Museo Pambata with the family again, but this time make sure all the cameras are working ... hehehe.
That's nice to know that they really cater to the streetkids and allow them to enjoy themselves inside. Yes! I saw their mini-palengke and was amused to watch the little kids really having fun and playing inside all the stalls.
Post an entry on your site still and we'll come and read it. No one gets tired of reading something about kids and adults alike having fun :)-
Señor Enrique said...
That Science Exhibition room happens to be my favorite, Ferdz. I love its design. You can even tell from the pics I posted that I took most from inside that room. Wish you had shared with us the name of your friend. He really did a wonderful job.
Guess, we can say it was his legacy! He left behind something that will be enjoyed by millions of Filipino kids! Great achievement that is, I say :)-
Señor Enrique said...
Hi Bugsy! Check out this URL from Cathy's site:
http://nancydrewandme.blogspot.com/2007/05/mommy-is-that-me.html
Cathy happens to know those women you mentioned :)
My feeling is that most of the streetkids are not actually living on the streets but just plain indigent. Therefore, best bet is to approach some parishes in the city and have them organize such trips. We have a priest in our camera club, I should mention this him and perhaps, he'd make a better candidate to spearhead such effort. I'll keep you posted.
Thanks, Bugsy! Your love for Manila really shows :)-
Señor Enrique said...
Go in and take some photos in the museum, Sidney! You'll love it. I'm sure of it :)
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Señor Enrique said...
It's be tough to stop a mother from taking a picture of her child having such a wonderful time, A! so, I guess that is why they allow picture-taking inside the museum ... hehehe!
Visit it next time you come home for vacation :)-
Señor Enrique said...
Hi Lino! Bring our wife and some nephews and nieces if you have none of your own, yet. Trust me, they'll love you even more for it :)
And take some pictures while you're in there!-
-= dave =- said...
Nothing beats interactivity. The Science Centrum in Naga City had some similar modules, but Museo is more complete of course.
Where's the moon rock?-
Señor Enrique said...
Would you believe Museo Pambata was among the only five museums worldwide given a piece of moon rock?
Yes, the two times I was there, everyone seemed excited by the interactive exhibits :)-
JMom said...
What a worthwhile endeavour! Kudos to the creators of the museum. My girls and I frequented these interactive museums when they were smaller. They loved them! I'm glad to see they allotted a free day for residents. It makes such a big difference for children to be exposed to these museums.
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sheilamarie said...
oh! oh! oh!! eric, i swear i had so much fun when i went there! i mean, my son did! LOL!
what he enjoyed most, since he was still quite young when i last brought him there, was making lots and lots of noise in the music room by banging on the kulintang. hahaha...-
said...
did you also visit the HCS office? :)
museum series, heh? :)-
said...
when family went to Fort Santiago, we planned to visit this museum, but we ran out of time. thanks for sharing the photos, i will include this museum in our itinerary next time. seems to be not only educational, but exciting as well.
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Señor Enrique said...
Hi JMom! Yes! I think it's a great idea to present an interactive children's museum all over the world, especially here in Manila. The children I saw in there were truly excited by the exhibits; really feeling that it was a place created especially for them :)
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Señor Enrique said...
Oh my! I can imagine Luchio having a grand time there, Sheilamarie. And know what? No one I'm sure was bothered by all that racket he created with the kulintang ... hehehe. It was a place to have fun, right?
Okay, when you come back here to visit (and he's a bit bigger older) take him back there and I'm sure he'll love you even more for that treat!-
Señor Enrique said...
Basically doing my share in promoting the various resources available for our citizenry, Tito :)
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Señor Enrique said...
And make sure you take some photos, Dine! I'm sure they will enjoy their visit there, and you will, too! :)
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said...
last time i've been there was when i was a kid myself. which is not really so long ago since i'm just 19. ^_^ i see it's got a new look. i'll try to visit it again, it looks fun.
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Señor Enrique said...
They must constantly refurbish the rooms, Liz. Last Sunday the Know Your Body room was closed for renovation.
But I will return with some kids in the clan ... hehehe.-
mgaputonimimi said...
mas mapalit po sa school at sila lang ang tumanggap sa amin.. pinayagan nila kaming mag stay sa loob ng ilang beses.. aproachable silang lahat at mababait.. Ü
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Señor Enrique said...
Oh, I see, Mimi.
Yes, napansin ko nga na very accomodating ang staff ng museo na ito :)-
said...
our first time to visit museo pambata, tuwang tuwa ang anak ko sa mga little stores nyo, like the bakeshop, drug store, grocery, etc... wish lang nya na meron xa nun, hehehe..... very educational talaga ang place, sana makabalik kami uli.... sana me discount din mga tagaprobinxa, lugi naman kami....byahe palang. thanks and more power!!!!
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Señor Enrique said...
Wonderful!
Glad to hear na nag-enjoy kayong lahat sa pagbisita ninyo sa museo na ito. nakatutuwa nga naman yung mga maliliit na tindahan ... hehehe.
I think only the students are given a discount :(-
said...
anu po gamit nung mga phones? ang dami kasi, bawat poste 4 po ata. gumagana po ba yun? me tatawagan sana ako e, hehehe. :-)
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Señor Enrique said...
I was told that you'd hear a record story about the hero whose image appears on top of the phone, Janine :)
An interesting idea that I'm sure the kids and adults will enjoy.
