Shopping at Manila's First LEGO Store (My KIDDOS Heaven)

Where do you take two (2) lego fanatic boys, who keeps on saying "they have nothing to do"

~ GO to a LEGO STORE silly! 

I have read about the recently opened, first LEGO certified Store in the country, and can just imagined the thrill it would give my LEGO fan boys to have an unplanned (unannounced) trip to a Lego Store ~ Oh PRICELESS!

The first Lego Certified Store is located at Park Triangle, 11th Avenue cor Rizal Drive, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

Park Triangle is a fairly new commercial complex building and is the same complex to house Kidzania Manila.

Look who welcomed us!

My son was so happy to see a life size Emmet, guarding the Lego Certified Store front. 

My kiddo loves Emmet, so I had to explain for a number of times that this one is not for sale :D

Other Lego Characters with Emmet are from Lego Chima ~ Laval and Cragger. 

So Cool and selfie worthy :P

This Lego Certified Store is quite small and carries limited Lego merchandise arranged by toys age appropriateness. 

Like all other Lego stores around the world, however, Lego Store Manila sells bricks by 100 grams in their Pick A Brick (PAB) area. 

And the Build A Mini (BAM), where kids and kids at heart can customize their own mini figures (headwear, head, torso, legs, including tools and accessories).

Boy and big boys will have fun, checking out these awesome toys and displays.

Happy threesome~ we will be back!

  

Are you a Lego fan?  You may also want to check our family trip to LEGOLAND Malaysia. Follow these links:

Legoland Hotel ~ Lego fanatics Dream Hotel!
Legoland Malaysia (A Dream come true for Lego Fans)
Legoland Water Park

  

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

 

 

10 Worthwhile Gift Ideas from The Mind Museum

Are you looking for one-of-a-kind gifts for people closest to your heart?  

Here are 10 well thought off and worthwhile gift suggestions from The Mind Museum to help you:

1. A Scientific Date: Have an exciting fun filled day with your loved ones with an All Day Pass or gift certificate to The Mind Museum! Fuel your children’s interest in science and love for knowledge.

I can honestly say that this is a gift your children (and even your husband) will treasure and remember by.  

Read here, how science literally came to life in our last Mind Museum trip. 

(The Mind Museum All day passes is sold for only Php750) 

2. Name Stars after Your Loved Ones: Your honey will surely be delighted in seeing his/her name imprinted on the virtual stars that make up a constellation; Little ones, meanwhile would definitely find it amusing to have a specific kind of dinosaur from a virtual era in history named after him/her.

What’s more heart-warming is that all proceeds for this program go to supporting the various projects of The Mind Museum, such as giving free museum visits to public school kids.

(Virtual exhibits’ price ranges from Php1,000 to Php5,000, depending on your choice of show. For more information, visit http://exhibits.themindmuseum.org.

3. Mind Museum’s Unlimited Science Pass: Just imagine a year-round, all-day admission to the country’s first world-class science museum. This gift is perfect for your aspiring young scientist.

The Mind Museum’s Unlimited Science Pass also gives free admission to over 300 worldwide science museums, discounts on travelling exhibition tickets, birthday packages, and purchases inside The Mind Museum Store. This unli-pass also directly supports free museum passes for underprivileged kids. 

(For a group of four or more, avail the Unlimited Science Pass for only Php2,250/pax. Visit https://www.themindmuseum.org/science-alive/63/membership-program for more information)

4. All for Science, All for Love: Celebrate the holidays in a meaningful way, by sponsoring a trip for public school kids. Ask your family or friends to join you in spearheading this project to further enrich the sense of wonder of these young ones. The Mind Museum’s doors are open to help you plan and accomplish this advocacy of embracing and sharing the true spirit of the season. 

(To inquire about this project, please send your email to inquiry@themindmuseum.org.)  

Inspire young minds, with the following gifts you can get from the Mind Museum Store:

 

5. Cool Statement Shirts: Let your friends “wear their wit” with design shirts that are exclusively available in The Mind Museum Store! These shirts come in different colors and are tastefully designed with vibrant graphics and statements that will truly make science a cool fashion statement of choice this holiday season. 

(Prices range from Php379.75 to Php499.75)

6. Puzzles, Papers, and Pencils: Instead of those tired old notebooks or planners, try giving the young ones (or even your family and friends) funky Human Anatomy Notebook and Science Alphabet Notebook, paired with Puzzle Color Pencils  

(Human Anatomy Notebook and Science Alphabet Notebook are sold for only Php379.75, while Puzzle Color Pencils set is sold for only Php649.75.)

7. Own the Universe: Seize the universe, literally, through the Star Planetarium! This contraption projects 3D stars, planets, and constellations. It includes 3D glasses for a more mesmerizing virtual representation of what’s above and beyond the world we’re living in. 

(The Star Planetarium set is sold for only Php2,579.75.)

8. Un-earthen Dinosaurs: Your little paleontologist would be transported back in time to the era of dinosaurs with this special edition of Dino Excavation Kit.  Dig for bones hidden in the gypsum block, assemble them and enjoy your very own miniature dinosaur skeleton replica.

(The entire Dino Excavation Kit is sold for Php2,699.75.)

9. Tricks and Treats: Put fun in learning through playing cards, such as “What’s GNU?” and “Hyperswipe!” (What’s GNU deck costs Php9,49.75 while the Hyperswipe set costs Php1,349.75.)

10. Build Your Own, Learn on Your Own: Teach your young ones the basics of gardening, without having to worry about landscaping your backyard, with innovative plant miniatures!

Learn about Sweet Leaf, which grows leaves used as a natural substitute for sugar; Mini-Melons that will actually produce sweet mini cantaloupes in less than 2 months; or get really out-of-this-world with the Curious George Outer Space Adventure Garden that will allow your young ones to experiment right in their own mini pots! 

(Sweet leaf and Mini-melons cost Pho829.75 each while the Curious George Outer Space Adventure Garden is sold for Php1,229.75.)

Make this holiday season more meaningful for your children, for inquiries visit The Mind Museum today. 

 

My yummy BANNAPLE!!!

 

Love, love, love BANNAPLE! 

 

But the long and endless queue of customers lining up is very disheartening, especially if your stomach is already growling!!!

 

I am happy to see that Bannaple has been expanding branches to serve its hungry customers. 

 

As of writing, they now have stores at Robinson's Galleria, Ayala Fairview Terraces, the Sky Garden at SM City North Edsa, Tuscany at McKinley Hill, Katipunan, Connecticut Greenhills, Market Market at BGC, Alabang Town Center, Tomas Morato at Ayala Triangle.

 

Cute interiors at the Market Market BGC branch.

 

Bannaple Pies and Cheese Cakescakes serve hearty meals guaranteed to satisfy your hunger.  Hot dishes and pasta meals are reasonably priced and are with generous servings. 

 

 

 

It is highly recommended that you finish your meal with a cup of their brewed coffee and an order their top seller banoffeepie.

 

 

Simply delicious!

Pedro Calungsod Chapel at SM Aura, BGC Taguig

We were on our way back home from a weekend staycation at Microtel Hotel near SM MOA. We were looking for church along to way and remembered SM Aura has a chapel.

  

Parking was a breeze. There were plenty of parking slots available, considering it was a weekend.  After parking we rushed towards the mall entrance and asked our way to the chapel.

 

The chapel of San Pedro Calungsod is located at SM Aura's top level (level 7).  We took a lift from the B2 parking to Level 5 and changed lift to reach the chapel.  We reached the chapel just in time for the 12nn mass.

  

 

 

It was a long way up, but worth it.  The chapel is beautifully designed and view outside breath-taking  (with fresh air to spare - although every now and then, we can smell grilled food, which I am guessing coming from the food court area).

 

The chapel can fill up to 300 people. Unfortunately, with the number of mall goers wanting to catch mass before shopping - expect SRO, especially if  you come it late. 

 

Mass-goers easily spill outside towards the deck and with people coming in / passing by it was quite difficult to concentrate (the cons of mall masses).

 

The Chapel of San Pedro Calungsod is located at the 7th level of SM Aura Premier, 26th Street corner McKinley Parkway Taguig City.
Mass schedules:
Mondays to Saturdays at 12nn and 5pm Sundays at 10am and 5pm.
 

 
 
 
 
 

Seafood Island ~ Real Deal!

We entered the Seafood Island Restaurant in pure desperation, upon seeing the long queue of hungry people outside Cabalen (we have been planning to eat there). 

 

I was quite hesitant to enter Seafood Island really, as I was expecting prices to be on the upscale, since it is after all a seafood restaurant in the Metro!!!

 

I was honestly surprised as I was given the menu and found group meals affordable and reasonable...

 

 

The restaurant aims for an nipa hut/beach ambiance with native abaniko-inspired ceiling fan, hard wood chairs and tables and island souvenir decorations.


The tough part was choosing from their wide selection boodle feast (all looked so yummy and filling). 

After much deliberation we ordered the "fiesta bicolandia"

(halaan sa buko, pork bbq, ensaladang talong, ginataang alimango laing, grilled tilapia with bagoong rice... my mom wanted soup so we order sinigang bangus belly!)

Some souvenir shots infront of Seasfood Restaurant, Market Market!

VERDICT:  Perfect for huge groups (families and barkadas, even balik-bayans). My balik-bayan Tita seems very satisfied (she ordered additional rice).

We had our fill for a little over P1200 (we actually paid less as we were with senior citizens).

It was a good thing Cabalen was full! So love this restaurant, we can't wait to order the other boodle feasts :P  (Note to self:  I will be back!!!)


Visit Seafood Island Restaurant at G/F Market! Market!, Carlos P. Garcia Ave Fort Bonifacio, Taguig.

F1 Hotel Pool

 

 

For a small hotel, BEST WESTERN PREMIER F1 Hotel happens to have three swimming pools: a kiddie pool, wading pool and an infinity lap pool - which was perfect for family fun time.

 

A staycation is not complete for my kids, without a dip into the pool right after breakfast. 

My hubby and my youngest son, playing while waiting for kuya to finish his laps.

Active Fun (BGC)

If you are looking for some city fun with your family,  Active Fun at BGC is just the place for you!!!

Plenty of shelves for your bags!

I would say this slide takes the "star of the play ground award"
It was 3-4 long slides down :P

A boat of balls (or something)!

Soft ball gun fight - for my little soldiers!!!

Plenty of things to do for the tot!!!

My kids adore this place. I am guessing it wont be long before they beg to return!!!

ActiveFun Bldg 9th Ave., cor 28th Street Bonifacio Global City,Taguig

Tel: (02) 869-0800, (02) 869-9509