Director's Club Groupie Experience for First Timers

For my 40th Birthday, I invited my girl friends to watch a movie at a Director's Club Cinema (DCC).  We were all excited as it was our first time to watch a movie via DCC.  

A DCC is truly an intimate, cinema experience.

You can relax and enjoy the movie (just don't sleep) in a La-Z-Boy Power Recline XR+ seats.

Patrons are served a complimentary bowl of freshly popped popcorn upon arrival.

Then order some more by just a push of a button (classy).

Me and my girl friends enjoying the experience.

Thumbs up for DCC.  Will definitely be back, next time with my kiddos.

For details visit www.smcinema.com, or follow SM Cinema at www.facebook.com/SMCinema.

KidZania Manila Invasion: For First Timers

My children have been asking for a trip to KIDZANIA since it opened in Manila a few months back. 

We finally gave it a go and bought tickets online via TicketWorld.  The boys were just so thrilled.

MamaSpeaks, welcomes you  to KidZania!

What is KidZania?

KidZania is an indoor role play city where kids can be anybody they want to be. It is it's own nation, where kids actually rule! And my boys are ready for some action.

Our timing was perfect. There were fewer crowd than KidZania's normal full house.   Waiting time was under 10 minutes (well except for the blockbuster Fire Station) ~ Lucky us. 

My 7 year old finished 11 activities (excluding lunch break, bus tour, opening an account and getting a passport) in his 9am-4pm shift. Not bad at all!

First stop ~ the Bank

At entry, the kids were handed KidZanian checks worth 50 kidZos.  Kids (yes parents wait outside, as for all of the other activities) must cash-in their check in the bank. 

  They can then open a bank account, to get an ATM card.  It is real fast and easy.  

Next Stop ~ Immigration

Before role playing, the boys applied for KidZanian passport. Applying for a passport requires parental consent and costs P250. I pre-applied the kids on-line, so the Immigration officer needed simply to retrieve their application from the database.

A passport gives your children a citiZen  status.  CitiZens get special benefits such as discounts and higher pay.  

Naturalized CitiZens for instance gets:

• 5 kidZos discount on redemption items at the Department Store
• 5% discount on National Store and Photography and
• earns extra 2 kidZos per activity

A passport is a good investment, especially if you plan of coming back for more of KidZania.

Third Stop ~ City Tour Bus

A ride on board the tour bus cost 1 kidZo each. Taking the tour bus before doing any activity was a good call, as it gave us a good vista of the town for easier navigation afterwards.

 Parents wanting a break, would appreciate the Parents' Lounge located at the Mezzanine level. Here adults can charge their gadgets, or have coffee.

The boys had a blast playing make believe.  Here are pictures from from the activities they did.

As a radio talent at the DZMM/MOR Radio Station 

As a baker at the Goldilocks Bakeshop 

As construction workers

 Developing treats at the Oishi Creative Hub

 Flying a plane as a Pilot at the Cebu Pacific Hub

 As a patrol police officer at the KidZania Police Department (KZPD)

There are dozens of activities kids can try, a shift is not enough to finish them all. 

Here are the other activities we would come back for:

As a dentist  ~ just look at the make believe child seated on the dental chair. She looks life like.

As a fireman at the Fire Station ~ would definitely do this on our next visit.

As a court observer in the court house

Things to remember when visiting KidZania:

1. Activities may either earn your kids kidZos or cost them. Work activities earns, while activities that teaches cost kidZos.

 Use the map you receive upon entry as guide to check if the activity earns or costs kidZos.

2. Check the census plaques (like the one below), which are helpful guides to learning about the town's different activities. It contains information on age requirement, length of activity, number of visitors who may join the activity and whether the activity will earn or require spending of kidZos. 

Note: CitiZens pay 2 kidZos less or earns 2 kidZos more than published rates.

3. A visit to the KidZania website will  help you choose activities pre-hand.  Prioritize your child's personal interests, but try to encourage him on other activities outside these interests as well.

4. Get your tickets online to avoid disappointments.  You don't want to go there learning there are no more tickets left. When getting your tickets via TicketWorld you would notice that there is a ticket availability indicator (green means light crowd, while red means full house) ~ if you are not particular on the date, I suggest you delay your trip to a less crowded day.

5. Bring your camera and take lots of pictures.  Have fun and enjoy an educational bonding day with your kids.

6.  Most of the activities are for children ages 4-14 years old, however, I noticed that my older child (age 12) was not so keen on joining most of the activities. I think he has already outgrown role playing. It was however, perfect for my 7 year old, who was all over town.

Thumbs Up for KidZania Manila ~ Perfect place for Kids is a perfect place to dream and play!

We had a wonderful day at KidZania ~ we would surely be back for more.

 KidZania Manila is located  at the Park Triangle, North 11th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City

Tel No: +632 711-KidZ

For inquiries check KidZania's media pages:

facebook: www.facebook.com/KidZaniaManilaKid

instagram: @KidZaniaManila

twitter: @KidZaniaManila

Pinto Art Museum ~ World Class Art Museum

 

WARNING:  This post is picture heavy (this blogger had the hardest time ever to decide which pictures to post ~ :P )

 

Truth be told, Pinto Art Museum is more than just a museum!  It is living and breathing work of ART!  It is an amazing place, full of exceptional art pieces that made my eyes pop out of excitement.

 

Pinto Art Museum is a 1.3 hectare lot area, with about six huge galleries, a chapel, vast gardens (including a sculpture garden and a full size pool) and café  ~ perfect for an all day "all you can shoot selfies".      

 

 

Now for the art pieces I love...

 

This collection titled, "Transient Present" is by Ms. Sandra Fabie-Gfeller.  Me and my friends love the movements, lines and color of her paintings. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Another favorite piece is this eccentric chair.   I so love this picture too.

 

 

This is my favorite of the sculptures adorning Pinto's garden.  I was really awed, when I saw there is an actual sculpture of a baby inside this mother's womb.  

 

 

 

 Yes, a jaw dropping piece - this one!  The sculptor used mesh and wire and created "LOVE".

 

 

This painting entitled "Karnabal" is 12 feet high and 40 feet wide, it took 16 painters (who call themselves Salingpusa) to finish it.  

 

 

 

 

Found these  pieces ingenious and clever.  I really want them in my garden!

 

 

 

 

 

What about a wall size window that opens to a beautiful garden :P  

 

 

 

 

My and my girls! 

 

 

 

 

My handsome hubby, just so "into" the moment...  Pinto has that effect on people.     

 

MamaSpeaks highly recommends a visit to the PINTO ART MUSEUM.  Schools should even consider bringing their field trips here for art appreciation.
 

 

PINTO ART MUSEUM

is located at 1 Sierra Madre St., Grand Heights, Antipolo, Rizal.

The museum is Tuesdays through Sundays

9 am to 6pm.

 

Ticket prices

 P180 for regular ticket
P150 for senior citizens and PWD with valid IDs
P100 for children and students with proper school IDs

 For inquiries on pre-nuptial and other events inquiries, please look for Mrs. Jenny Villanueva  at  6971015.

 

TIPS: 

1. Pinto Museum is huge, I suggest you wear comfortable walking shoes (rubber shoes preferably) touring the place requires a lot of walking and climbing up and down stairs. When you think you have covered all, you would be surprised there are more galleries in the lower grounds waiting to be discovered.
2. Bring a change of clothing, face cloth and water. 
3. Try to visit on a weekday (as it tends to be crowded during weekends).
4. And lastly don't forget your camera (oh and make sure your battery is full charged). 

 

DonnAppetit Garden Grill ~ A Perfect Night Out wth My Girls

Our mission was to find a cozy place, specially different from our usual hang-outs to celebrate a friend's 18th (I know, you know, we both know, but I am not about to post her actual age on blogger now would I?).

 

Tada, our find for tonight is Donn Appetit Garden Grill a home garden restaurant, serving authentic home-cooked grilled dishes.

 

The place was rather small (seats about 40-50 guests), but is aesthetically pleasing, with a well kept garden to boast. 

We especially love the chirping birds as an added touch to complete the ambiance.    

 

 

Unfortunately since we came on a night time, we were not able to fully appreciate Donn Appetit's beautiful garden.

 

 

 

The restaurant is spot clean and although it is an open area, there are surprisingly NO bugs around.

 

Let us check the menu.

 

 

There are plenty of options to choose from, although most are grilled dishes.  Average cost per dish is only P150, really affordable.  One of my girls complained about the small serving size, but I think, it was just right for the price.

 

 

Here is what we ordered...

 

For appetizers, we had Nachos (P150). 

I am not a fan of this one. I find it lacking crispiness, probably a reaction to the rainy and humid weather.  The dip, however, was very good.

 

 

From the Grill, we had Liempo (P130)  

 

 

Baby Back Ribs (P180), which was my favorite among our orders.  The meat was tender and flavorful. We should have ordered more of this. 

 

 

 

And Hungarian Sausage (P75).  I am not a sausage fan, either, but this here (well, more than half) ended on my plate. 

I liked the spiciness of it.  It was really good. 

 

 

 

We also ordered Pancit Bihon (P100) of course, as we were there to celebrate a birthday. 

 

 

 

VERDICT ~ Thumbs up!

• Overall it was a worthwhile discovery.  I would gladly take friends there for a night out over a bottle or two of chilled beer. Unfortunately, we did not have any, as I was driving that night.
• Donn Appetit brags a "homey" garden ambiance, perfect for special occasions. 
• Service is fast considering they prepare your food fresh.  The staff were likewise cordial and cheerful.

 

With my girls :P

 

We finished everything, with only enough space for a cup of coffee (and probably some yummy dessert)!

 

 

DonnAppetit Garden Grill is located at14 Noli Pascual St. Gregoria Heights, San Isidro, Taytay Rizal.  It is a good stop over if you are heading to Antipolo from Manila via Ortigas Extension.

 

For reservation you may call: 570-6117 or 881-8028

Magnum Manila Review ~ Heaven Sent Dessert

What do you say to a Magnum Bar, with three (3) of your choice toppings, on a super hot afternoon? 

 

It was obviously a big YES (with a huge GRIN) for me and my boys. 

 

I have been wanting to try Magnum Manila's "make-your-own" ice cream bar, but the long queues is such a turn-off.  

 

We were back at SM Aura last week, and the queues were not as long ~ Yipee!

 

 

 A DIY Magnum Bar cost P100. 

 

 

 

After paying, a crew takes in your choices of three (3) toppings...

 

(Tip: There are so many toppings to choose from, if you are not certain, get the toppings labelled "best seller")

 

 

 

 You  would be asked, whether you want a vanilla or a chocolate bar; and preference of chocolate coating: dark chocolate, white chocolate or milk chocolate.  

 

 

The ice cream bar is dipped into the chocolate coating and the toppings are then sprinkled to the ice cream bar, and "tada", the bestEST Magnum Bar ever!!!

 

 

 

 My choice: vanilla ice cream, dipped in dark chocolate with almonds, marsh mallow and choco dots for toppings. 

 

 

My boy is so proud of his own ice cream creation. 

 

I guess we will be back again soon (hopefully without queues)!

 

 

 

Magnum Manila is located at the 5F Skypark, SM Aura

Check out their facebook page for details: Magnum Manila