A Conversation With My Belly, Postpartum

9 mos. pregnant with Guijo. 2011

While executing a back bend during yoga class, I felt my shirt slide to expose a part of my belly. My first instinct was to try to pull my shirt up to hide my grotesque flesh, but my hands were pressed to the mat, carrying the weight  of my body. I felt trapped and in a slight state of panic. Then the instructor said, "Let go", "Open your mind and body", "Ease into the pose"... and I dutifully listened. "Stay there for five full breaths", she said. And I complied. And in those five breaths, I found myself thinking beautiful thoughts of gratitude directed at my body. I gave my belly a silent thank you speech. 

Thank you dear belly, for housing my most precious offspring -  my daughter Narra first, then my son, Guijo. Thank you for cushioning them with your protective layers of womb, and fluid, and fat. Thank you for adjusting your skin perfectly in tune with their needs: stretching just enough to give them room; but remaining tight enough to give them support.  Thank you for your contractions which delivered my children into the light. You generously expanded yourself to your very limits so that I may fulfill my destiny and become mother.  You quietly, gently retracted back to normal when the task was done, so I may lay my babies on your soft surface as I nourish them with my milk. 

4 mos. pregnant with Narra. Punta De Lima, Laguna. 2009.

I used to view your stretch marks as battle scars - but what an awful, violent metaphor this is! Giving birth is not a story of war. Rather, it is  a tale of cooperation, when everyone unites to protect the most glorious gift of life.  Your stretch marks dear belly, are my historic markers of peace - celebrating my milestones, of those moments when I accepted my vocation to nurture the lives entrusted to me.  

And how kindly I was treated by the world when you were fully on display as a womb with child. Strangers felt welcome to strike a conversation, and we received an abundance of pleasantries - in word and deed. Doors were held open, seats were given up, everyone rushed to carry our bags or push our carts - it is as though the world conspired to help us carry the weight of propagating humankind.  When you were in full bloom, you had the power to disarm even the most disenchanted folk. I've seen stern faces turn soft in your presence, I remember a surly security guard doing a routine airport check transform from strict-and-brisk to kind-and-gentle in a heartbeat! 

7 mos. pregnant. Pearl Farm, Davao. 2011.

I thank you for letting me experience the world in a whole new way. Like when we went swimming in the sea and I had to discover a new sense of balance - it was like being introduced to buoyancy for the first time. In fact, you pushed me to re-learn everything - from the most basic things: to breathe, to eat, to sleep, to walk, to sit. You forced me to be humble, to listen to my body and to follow its dictates. I was kindest to my body in your presence. I ate well, and stayed away from smoke and dirt; and other poisonous elements (like anger and regret). 

Pregnant, I felt connected to Mother Earth as I never have before. I could feel the pulse of Pacha Mama resonating in my body, through you, my awakened belly. You were like a portal to other worlds.  I saw the world creating the world - chains of life-giving power: the earth bearing trees; the trees bearing fruit; fruit bearing seeds; seeds falling to earth; so the earth can bear trees... and on and on, I saw it all, how pregnant the world is, constantly. Is it just me, or do pregnant women really enjoy a heightened awareness, when all our senses open to the world more than ever before?

So I say to my belly: after all these gifts you've given me, what right have I to be ashamed of you? How could my first instinct be to hide you now? And think of you as grotesque? In my vanity, you have been transmogrified from "bearer-of-life" to "bringer-of-shame".  I am sorry, my belly. My mind has bad habits I've yet to break.  I was conditioned to think of beauty in terms of flat bellies covered by flawless skin, so much so that I felt compelled to hide you with my hands, even at the risk of me collapsing to the floor. My apologies. You are part of what I am now, for I wouldn't be a mother had you not been stretched to house my children.  I accept you for the mother's belly that you are. And I will take care of you, and nurture you gently back to the best shape you could possibly be in, by strengthening your muscles; and slathering soothing balms on your stressed surface; and getting you nourished with good stuff from within. And next time you peek through my clothes at yoga class, I won't lose composure in embarrassed panic! For we are a work in progress, you and I, companions on the road to recovery,  and that's a good, good thing. 

                           

Fontana Water Park and What I Learned From My 12-Year Old Nephew

Kuya Joaquin carrying Narra

There are some places that develop and improve over time, while there are others that just deteriorate. Fortunately, Fontana Water Park in Pampanga proved to be the former. When I first saw this Water Park a decade ago, I was quite impressed with it back then. Now, years later, it's even bigger and has more attractions! A decade ago, I was in my early twenties and full of thrill-seeking and adventurous drive. In the past, whenever I went to a theme park I headed to the biggest and most exciting attractions. The higher, the faster, the riskier a ride, the more I wanted it!  Now, I am in my mid-thirties, and already a mother of two tiny beings still in their diapers. Nature must have designed me to develop new instincts. I am now a nervous wreck. When I saw Fontana Water Park again, I saw it as an overwhelmingly big place full of potential dangers.  

Oliver, Mama, and I with Narra and Guijo at the entrance to the Fontana Water Park

Earlier this month, the Socorro - Carsi Cruz branch of my husband's family took advantage of the long weekend by renting 3 villas at Fontana Leisure Parks and Casino in Pampanga. As typical Filipino extended families go, we were quite a big group: 2 grandparents, 9 aunties and uncles; 11 nephews and nieces. While the adults played at the casino, the kids went to Fontana's Water Park. Guess where I went? I just had to go to the Water Park to make sure Narra would be ok. My husband and mother-in-law escorted us only until the entrance, then they went back to join the rest of the adults. There I was, the only aunt with a bunch of kids.

Ruby (aka Yaya Nene) taking Guijo's new stroller for a spin on the Water Park's grounds

I brought Guijo with me, and his yaya Nene pushed him around in his stroller. This is part of my "training" period, for myself and for our yaya. I have plans of traveling abroad in the near future, so I have to practice the art of touring with two tots. The only way to gain expertise is through experience which is why I take both my babies with me every chance I get. I'm hoping "inconvenient arrangements", when experienced frequently enough, can become "convenient arrangements" over time. Thank God Guijo is proving to be an easy baby to lug around, he slept through the entire affair and didn't add to my list of things to worry about!    

The Pirate Ship, a great section for young children

One of the first attractions inside the park is the Pirate Ship. Located close to the entrance, this shallow pool is perfect for small children.  I was quite happy to stay with Narra there. It was manageable. But I knew that I was being a cowardly hen by staying put. The park was huge, and there were more attractions waiting to be discovered. Narra's cousins were already at the big Wave Pool and I was depriving her of precious bonding time with them. So I moved my entourage out of the comfortable Pirate Ship, albeit reluctantly. With Narra and Guijo in tow, we headed deeper into the park. Oh wow! What an expansive terrifying terrain!

The Lazy River is a familiar attraction, I've seen it before, but it looks better now, perhaps because of the lush vegetation. The trees have grown more roots, and that adds to the appeal of the place. It also helps that the signage and barriers seem to have just received a fresh coat of paint. I love how the park feels well maintained.  There are also new rides, like the Three Giant Aqua Thrill Rides, an imposing, towering structure composed of spiraling giant slides a couple of stories high. 

The long Lazy River's start-off point

The Giant Aqua Thrill Rides

I was happy to stay in the shallow section of the Wave Pool and to just keep Narra entertained with the tiny little fountains and small slides. But then, my 12-year old nephew Joaquin, approached us. "Tita Nikki", he said, "Can we take Narra to the Water Cottage? It's fun, I'm sure she'll enjoy it".  Oh gosh, I was unsure about leaving Guijo, but his yaya Nene assured me he was happily sleeping and they were comfortable in their precious shady spot under a tree. She didn't want to move him and disturb his peaceful sleep (mental note to myself: I really like this yaya).

So off we went to the Water Cottage which had 4 slides: 2 for kids, and 2 for adults. Joaquin accompanied Narra on several runs on the kiddie slides, which she enjoyed immensely. Then Joaquin put me on the spot: "Tita Nikki, can I take Narra on the big slide? I assure you it's safe". Er, em, ah, that slide up there? The one we can reach only after climbing several flights of slippery steel stair steps? Oh gosh, I was so unsure, and Joaquin (who is such an intelligent boy, and I mean in terms of Emotional Intelligence too) sensed my hesitation. "I'll go first Tita, then maybe you can go too, so you can gauge if Narra is ready for it, you can ride with her on your lap". Here's the thing, I trusted Joaquin's judgement. I did. Ever since I met him when I was just dating his Uncle Oliver I was already impressed with his maturity.  So I decided to go for it! We went up carefully, I was clutching the hand rails tightly with one hand, and Narra's arm with the other. I watched Joaquin disappear down the spiraling yellow slide, then it was our turn! I had Narra on my lap, and my hand on the push bar at the top of the slide. It was time to push off and let go. I was still hesitating. "Tita it's not that steep", Joaquin shouted encouragingly. 

Narra, Joaquin, and I, before going off to the Water Cottage where I re-learned to have FUN!

It felt like a scene from the movie Finding Nemo, I am Marlin holding on to the whale's tongue and Dory is encouraging me to let go. "How do you know nothing bad is going to happen?" Marlin asks Dory. "I don't!" says Dory. "It's Time to Let Go!" she shouts. And Marlin closes his eyes, hopes for the best, and lets go! They drop down the back of the whale's throat only to be thrust back out of the whale's body, shooting up to the sky through the blow hole. Wooohoooo!!! That's how I felt when we slid from side to side down the spiraling yellow slide. 

Joaquin asked if he can take Narra for a second run, just the two of them. I let them. He was right. It was not a steep slide. I was nervous as they made their way up. What if they slip? What if she looks for me and gets scared? What if...what if...? - Oh I was still unsure. "Trust me" Dory says to Marlin many times in Finding Nemo. Bottom line, I trusted Joaquin. He's an MVP champion baseball player circulating in international league circuits - he's in better physical shape than I am for crying out loud! I remembered myself at 12, when I was into gymnastics, and volleyball, and swimming, and how I carried my own toddler cousins too, in pools and parks, and on all sorts of rides and slides...and how my aunts and uncles trusted me with their kids. It's my turn now, to do the trusting. So I watched them slide down, and Narra was ecstatic! And it hit me! What if Narra is a cool kid and I am turning her into a nerd with all my fears? Do I really want that for her?  Maybe she's better off learning to be a kid from her cousins. For surely, I no longer know how to be one!!! 

Isabel, Sophia, Narra, and Joaquin at the Wave Pool

Then I remembered my father. My ultra-cool, super fun, responsibly risky dad, Walter. He never stopped knowing how to enjoy life with a childlike enthusiasm. He was in the military, a Navy pilot, which meant he knew about boats and planes, and he approached his training with a sense of play - as a chance to manipulate cool gadgets - a plane! a ship! He was also an underwater diver 50 years ago! when diving gear still looked primitive.  How did he raise me? To be adventurous. He'd take me to the deep end of the pool and encourage me to jump, and he'd always catch me. He'd instruct me to exhale, and drop down until I reach the bottom of a deep pool, and push the floor to return back up, all in one breath, and he'd be there the whole time, his reassuring presence giving me confidence to try things on my own until I become confident in my own skill. He taught me to do handstands by doing them himself at the age of 40! We'd do it side by side against the wall, making the white walls dirty with our shoes. And when I took up ice skating in the 1990's, he bought hockey skates and joined me for practice sessions at the old rink in SM Mega Mall, even if he was already in his late 50's. 

It's funny how Joaquin reminded me of my dad. How could 2 people, decades apart in age, be so alike?Because in my young nephew is a maturity beyond his years; and in my dad is a childlike wonder that was never knocked off him by life's many brutal blows. Both my dad and Joaquin have the precious secret combination of good judgement and a sense of adventure - these two ingredients combined is the recipe for FUN! They know how to have fun! 

That morning at Fontana Water Park my 12-year old nephew coached me gently and patiently in the art of having fun. His presence was reassuring and I relied on his judgement. He taught me to relax, to trust myself, to trust Narra, to trust another person to handle Narra. Right after that exhilirating slide in the Water Cottage, we returned to the Wave Pool to join the rest of the kids. Narra wanted to be with her caring Ates: Sophia, Julia, Bianca, and Sabel who were all good to her. I let Narra go. I allowed her to play without me hovering around. I stayed a good distance, with my camera trained on her, just so I can keep watch. The camera allowed me to zoom in on her, to focus on her, while allowing her the freedom to discover on her own, what kind of kid she is. And when the kids wanted to go to the deep end of the Wave Pool, I put down my camera, and joined them. I wanted to relax, but I also needed to constantly be alert and responsible, I am a parent now after all and kids must be under constant adult supervision.  I let Narra ride the waves in her cousins' arms. I was just nearby, also riding the waves, going with the flow, still on alert but with a difference this time. Like my father, I was being a parent and actually having fun!

Narra surrounded by cool cousins: Sophia, Bianca, Joaquin and Julia

For info on Fontana Water Park, visit:
http://www.fontanaleisureparks.com/fontanaweb/recreation/recreation.html#

Kid Friendly Restos: The Frazzled Cook in Mandaluyong

I am now on the look out for kid-friendly restaurants where I can bring my kids and not feel like I am bothering other patrons. I'm still learning the art of relaxing while still being a parent on constant alert.  Fortunately, there are heaven-sent places out there where decent adult food is served in a setting that's also entertaining for kids.  The Frazzled Cook is one such place. It is a house-turned-resto along Luna Mencias street, close to Shaw Boulevard, in a lovely part of Mandaluyong where beautiful old houses on large cuts of land have been converted into business establishments like art galleries, antique furniture shops, pre-schools, bakeshops and restaurants. We stumbled upon this place when our aunt Tita Boots died and her wake was held nearby. Driving by the converted  house, we were intrigued by the markings on the windows that read: "I am a Restaurant". 

From the name of the place alone, busy moms can already feel an affinity with the people behind the resto. Frazzled. I know the feeling. As a sleep-deprived mother of a newborn and toddler, and the wife of an on-the-go husband, I find myself perpetually grasping for equanimity.  So I was so pleasantly surprised to feel relaxed at The Frazzled Cook. I recommend it as a kid friendly place.  Upon entering, one already gets a sense of the whimsical and playful approach of whoever did the interiors. The booth closest to the door features a mural, and a wall-full of waving good-luck cats.  

There are a lot of things to look at: books, toys, and collectibles on the shelves; chandeliers, drop lights and trinkets on the ceilings; pictures, paintings, and murals on the walls; mismatched chairs and tables as well as mismatched china and other tableware. The furniture look welcomingly weathered and worn, in a shabby chic way, making a parent feel that kids won't hurt them with a scratch or a spill.  Narra was clearly entertained. Right next to our table was shelf with children's books, including a fun pop-up version of the timeless classic, Alice in Wonderland. The eclectic collection of furnishings and novelties made me feel a bit like Alice myself.  The ambience is reminiscent of Cafe Juanita in Pasig, and the old Fat Michael's in Makati. 

When we arrived, were immediately given a high chair for Narra, and that's a plus! Some restos simply don't have high chairs, and that always makes me feel as though my kid is unwelcome.  A high chair is an investment made by restauranteurs who count kids as part of their clientele. I sometimes have to guess whether it is appropriate to bring my kids to certain places.  The laid back attitude of the people at The Frazzled Cook reassured me (they didn't seem frazzled at all). 

The resto's menu is another kid-friendly artifact. It has a lot of quirky illustrations and is made of a sturdy, stain-free material - not the flimsy pages your kid can easily rip apart. Narra pretended to read it like a storybook.

And when her food arrived, the resto passed my true test for being a kid-friendly place: Narra ate her food without being coaxed! Her soup was pureed asparagus with chunks of white cheese swimming about, and she asked of the floating white things: "what's that mama?" - "cheese", I replied, and this brought a smile to her lips. She also liked the pita wraps with cottage cheese, rolled small enough for toddler hands.  

Next time we're in the area, I'd love to eat there again. It's a great laid-back destination where a frazzled mom like me can come with my kids and actually get to relax.

For more info, visit their website:
www.thefrazzledcook.com

Narra's Star on Museo Pambata's Christmas Tree

Christmas is around the corner and we already set up our own Christmas tree at home. When we took Narra to Museo Pambata (Manila's Museum for Children) a couple of weekends ago, they also had their own special tree already put up. It was decorated with stars and candy canes bought by museum goers for the benefit of the museum's projects. Right before the shadow puppet show started, a museum representative invited the crowd to support their Christmas tree drive, a simple star could be bought for 20 pesos, while bigger and more elaborately decorated ones go for a bit higher, with all the proceeds serving as donations.

Narra picked a star from a basket full of decorations. The one she chose was purply-pink and gold and covered completely in glitters. It cost P100 pesos, and it looked to me, to be the prettiest star in the bunch. Oliver put Narra's name on the star.

Narra was excited when we left her star on the museum's tree. I am particularly happy to give her  a sense of group identity as part of a larger Filipino family. It was a good idea to get her to buy something that she doesn't get to keep so that she learns that there is great joy to be had in participating, and not just in accumulating or collecting stuff. That star was a pretty thing and it looked really good on that tree. Putting it there is such a fitting way to conclude a fun-filled visit to the museum.

Museo Pambata also has a Christmas toy drive for less fortunate children. They accept both brand new and pre-loved toys in good condition. I am already talking to Narra about giving away some of her toys, and I am planning to go back to the museum with her to participate in their drive. They are accepting donations until December 15.

For info on museum hours, fees, location and exhibits visit the museum's official website: 

http://www.museopambata.org/

Related Posts:

Museo Pambata Part 1: Introducing Kids to Philippine Architecture
http://nikki-mama.blogspot.com/2011/11/museo-pambata-part-1-introducing-kids.html

Museo Pambata Part 2: Encouraging Kids to be Writers and Artists
http://nikki-mama.blogspot.com/2011/11/museo-pambata-encouraging-kids-to-be.html

Museo Pambata Part 3: Introducing Kids to Theater, Dance, and Music
http://nikki-mama.blogspot.com/2011/11/museo-pambata-part-3-introducing-kids.html

Museo Pambata Part 4: Exposing Kids to Entrepreneurship
http://nikki-mama.blogspot.com/2011/11/museo-pambata-part-4-exposing-kids-to.html

Museo Pambata Part 5: Instilling Environmental Awareness Early On

http://nikki-mama.blogspot.com/2011/11/museo-pambata-part-5-instilling.html

Museo Pambata Part 5: Instilling Environmental Awareness Early On

Museo Pambata has an awesome exhibit to encourage kids to think of the environment and be aware of climate change. Entitled "I love my Planet Earth" the exhibit is in a visually appealing space. Narra was running around excitedly. The emphasis is on what kids can do at home to help reduce their carbon footprint. I plan to keep coming back to this exhibit so that I can take the time to explain each section of the exhibit in greater detail.  

On one of the walls is a dynamic display that shows the picture of a wet and green rice field that transforms into arid land as you walk from left to right.  The visual illusion delivers a high-impact message. I already tell Narra to conserve water at home whenever she turns  on the faucet by herself, or takes a bath. I tell her, Mama Earth cries when we waste water, and the running tap is like her tears. Exhibits like these help me drive home the point more effectively and lend authority to my spiels with my young daughter.

In a previous exhibit located in a nearby hall, where there was a typical rural home (bahay kubo), there was also a poso or water pump on display. Narra had fun playing with the poso. I explained to Narra that in some parts of the country, people have to pump their own water and walk long distances to bring measured quantities to their homes. Thus, they know how to value and conserve water and do not use the precious resource wastefully. This is in stark contrast to some urbanites who have the convenience of  running water in their homes which often leads to wasteful habits.   

According to the Museo Pambata website, the theme room called "Kalikasan" (Environment), will reopen to the public soon. This room simulates a rainforest and seabed, to allow kids to go "nature-tripping". This theme room aims to inspire kids to value Mother Nature and to take positive steps towards preservation.  This exhibit was closed when we were there, so I have even more to look forward to when I take Narra there again. It's never to early to start getting kids environmentally aware, and I am so glad a have a place to take Narra where I can teach her important lessons on conservation while doing it in a fun and playful way.

Related Posts:

Museo Pambata Part 1: Introducing Kids to Philippine Architecture
http://nikki-mama.blogspot.com/2011/11/museo-pambata-part-1-introducing-kids.html

Museo Pambata Part 2: Encouraging Kids to be Writers and Artists
http://nikki-mama.blogspot.com/2011/11/museo-pambata-encouraging-kids-to-be.html

Museo Pambata Part 3: Introducing Kids to Theater, Dance, and Music
http://nikki-mama.blogspot.com/2011/11/museo-pambata-part-3-introducing-kids.html

Museo Pambata Part 4: Exposing Kids to Entrepreneurship
http://nikki-mama.blogspot.com/2011/11/museo-pambata-part-4-exposing-kids-to.html

Narra's Star on Museo Pambata's Christmas Tree

http://nikki-mama.blogspot.com/2011/11/narras-star-on-museo-pambatas-christmas.html

Museo Pambata Part 4: Exposing Kids To Entrepreneurship

I am embarrassed to say this but I haven't brought Narra to a market yet. She's only been to groceries and her idea of food acquisition involves riding a shopping cart. The Museo Pambata's exhibit entitled Pamilihang Bayan or the Marketplace recreates usual neighborhood shops where children can pretend to buy and sell all sorts of produce. At first I pretended to sell to Narra, haha - I gave in to the dramatic impulse to act a little: "Bili-bili na kayo diyan!"..."Ano ho ang sa inyo?" Narra was happy to pretend to be interested in buying a carrot. Later, Narra had her turn selling stuff and she was just enthralled with the trusty old timbangan (weighing scale).

Sigh, so much has changed even in the tiny landscape of our home kitchens. I grew up in a home where a timbangan (weighing scale), and kudkuran (coconut grater), are common everyday fixtures. Now, my daughter's first experience of a weighing scale had to be at a museum! After our visit to Museo Pambata, I vowed to expose Narra more to street life. I made Narra buy turon from a manang, and she was thrilled to perform the dialogue sequence I taught her: 

"pabili po ng turon" (may I buy turon), 

"ilan" said manang (how many?), 

"anim po" (six please) said Narra, following my instructions; 

"apat na lang ang meron" (there's just four left) said manang.

"sige, bayad po" (It's ok. Here's my payment) said Narra.

Oh gosh, I was such a proud Mama. Narra is 2 and a half years old, and she was transacting with a complete stranger unfazed and she understood what was going on. Narra returned to me feeling very bothered, "Mama apat lang!" (Mama there's only four!) Oh she was so fretful for not getting her mission accomplished of buying six pieces of turon. I was very thrilled though, to see Narra beginning to understand the concepts of counting and the more complex notion of money as a mode of exchange for goods and services!

One service kids could pretend to perform is that of a barber's. There was a colorful pretend barber shop with a real barbero's chair. Our tour companions, our driver Michael and his son Basti, looked cute pretending to be in the middle of  a haircut session. The thing is, both Mike and Basti do go to a barber shop regularly to get a trim, and yet they still found the re-creation of a barbershop fun and entertaining. That's the cool thing about Museo Pambata's exhibit, it makes us more aware of what we see everyday, in order to appreciate in a different light - as vibrant manifestations of our country's entrepreneural vigor.

When I saw the sapatero (shoe repair shop), I felt a bit nostalgic. It seems to me that for our kids these days, shoes have become so accessible as there are now many options that are affordable, that shoes are just replaced rather than repaired when there are problems. There are exhibits that make me feel as though I am introducing my child to the continuing past - to things in her present that she does not know much about because those aspects of Philippine life that were once so common, are becoming less so. This is why this afternoon at the children's museum is such a worthwhile activity.

Related Posts:

Museo Pambata Part 1: Introducing Kids to Philippine Architecture
http://nikki-mama.blogspot.com/2011/11/museo-pambata-part-1-introducing-kids.html

Museo Pambata Part 2: Encouraging Kids to be Writers and Artists
http://nikki-mama.blogspot.com/2011/11/museo-pambata-encouraging-kids-to-be.html

Museo Pambata Part 3: Introducing Kids to Theater, Dance, and Music
http://nikki-mama.blogspot.com/2011/11/museo-pambata-part-3-introducing-kids.html

Museo Pambata Part 5: Instilling Environmental Awareness Early On

http://nikki-mama.blogspot.com/2011/11/museo-pambata-part-5-instilling.html

Narra's Star on Museo Pambata's Christmas Tree

http://nikki-mama.blogspot.com/2011/11/narras-star-on-museo-pambatas-christmas.html

Museo Pambata Part 3: Introducing Kids to Theater, Dance, and Music

We visited Museo Pambata on a Saturday and there was a short shadow puppet theater show on the theme of a working man's efforts to survive in Manila. While the theme may be a bit heavy for kids, it was done to the lively tune of a witty Yoyoy Villame song and was over in no time (perfect for short attention spans). Kids were given a chance to try their hand at casting shadows on the screen.  Excited little ones queued up for their turn to wave around their sticks/puppets of various plants and insects.

I liked seeing the museum's effort to introduce children to puppet theater as this is one way to instill in our youth an interest in a form of art that serves as a reminder of our rootedness in Southeast Asian performing arts traditions. That the museum recognizes the need to instill a sense of regional identity in the youth is seen in the collection of puppets from other parts of Asia displayed in another exhibit hall nearby.  

Then there's the Pangalay exhibit which shows a choreographic diagram of the flow of movement of the arms and the various postures of the body. That children (and enthusiastic adults like me) are encouraged to give the dance a try is suggested by the presence of a full-length mirror positioned conveniently next to the diagram. This is an interactive museum after all, and we're encouraged to move! (so yes, I danced shamelessly, and happily - imagining the rhythmic beat to accompany my movement) 

And then there were musical instruments.  My daughter Narra had fun with the kulintang and the piano (two instruments we also have at home).

I love how much freedom one feels in this museum. When outside the home, kids are often told "don't touch" for fear that they may destroy something. Here at Museo Pambata, they're encouraged to do the opposite - Touch to discover! Move, make noise, and dance your way to learning!

Related Posts:

Museo Pambata Part 1: Introducing Kids to Philippine Architecture
http://nikki-mama.blogspot.com/2011/11/museo-pambata-part-1-introducing-kids.html

Museo Pambata Part 2: Encouraging Kids to be Writers and Artists
http://nikki-mama.blogspot.com/2011/11/museo-pambata-encouraging-kids-to-be.html

Museo Pambata Part 4: Exposing Kids to Entrepreneurship
http://nikki-mama.blogspot.com/2011/11/museo-pambata-part-4-exposing-kids-to.html

Museo Pambata Part 5: Instilling Environmental Awareness Early On

http://nikki-mama.blogspot.com/2011/11/museo-pambata-part-5-instilling.html

Narra's Star on Museo Pambata's Christmas Tree

http://nikki-mama.blogspot.com/2011/11/narras-star-on-museo-pambatas-christmas.html

Museo Pambata Part 1: Introducing Kids to Philippine Architecture

We want Narra to grow up rooted in her country's culture. Manila's Museo Pambata (Museum for Children) will help us achieve that goal. We visited it last Saturday and I have plans to keep coming back. I was so impressed that writing a single blog post won't do the trick, so I'm going to write a series of posts. 

Oliver and I are fortunate to have in our employ our driver Michael, who is married to our housekeeper Chie. Together with their 5-year old son Basti, they've stayed with us for the last few years, first in our very secluded house in Lipa, Batangas, and our second house in congested Metro Manila.  While in Lipa, our two families used to go to outings together - to have dinner out, to watch movies, or to do a little sightseeing in Tagaytay. Since moving to Manila, we haven't had the chance to go out and tour like we used to. So last weekend, we decided to head to nearby Museo Pambata. It was originally meant as an exposure trip for the kids, but it ended up being entertaining and enlightening even for us adults!

On the ground floor of Museo Pambata is an exhibit on the Spanish period. Kids are introduced to colonial architecture through a recreation of some design features of a typical 19th century, 2-storey illustrado home. Narra and Basti enjoyed looking through the window grills done in the buntis (pregnant) style, and peeking through the windows on the second floor. There were also small-scale antique furniture inside the house, which the kids absolutely loved to sit on.

There's a small-scale version of a typical Spanish colonial-era church which museum-goers can actually enter (adults and kids alike). It's pretty fascinating to stand inside the structure feeling like a giant! At the altar, Narra inspected the figures of Jesus and some of the other saints, while Basti had fun pretending to be a priest. 

There was also a sample from the American colonial period, a scale model of a 1930's home inside a glass case. The former Elks Club Building which houses the children's museum is, in itself, a historic architectural treasure. I loved climbing its wide staircases, and walking on its old tiled floors. 

On the second floor, there were more interactive exhibits to explore. In particular, Narra enjoyed the kid-size bahay kubo. It was a bit of a challenge for her to climb the bamboo ladder to enter the hut, but we didn't assist her, since it was low anyway and posed no threat to her safety. She clambered up rather clumsily but I enjoyed watching her figure out how to make her way up on her own. Once inside the hut, Oliver and I could only supervise her from the  windows, but she was pretty much on her own. She enjoyed playing with the clay stove with the kawali on top, and spent a good many minutes pretending to cook.

 "Ay ganyan ho sa amin" (oh that's how it is in our home) said Chie who hails from Bicol, and whose parents make a living as farmers in a remote part of the province. She was excited to see the carabao-drawn cart on display and demonstrated to her son, and to my daughter Narra, how her father would use it. I realized how the Museo Pambata plays an important role in bridging generations. It is a means for Chie to introduce her Manila-born and Manila-raised son Basti, to the rural livelihood of his own grandfather. Oliver's own family hails from Malolos where they have an old ancestral house with beautiful touches of colonial architecture. I hope Narra can learn to appreciate that when we next visit Malolos. 

While we were at the second floor of the museum we happened to look out the window to see a traditional Ifugao house being re-furbished on the grounds below. I'm waiting for that exhibit to be completed so I can take Narra back there again to explore traditional architecture from the North. 

Related Posts:

Museo Pambata Part 2: Encouraging Kids to be Writers and Artists
http://nikki-mama.blogspot.com/2011/11/museo-pambata-encouraging-kids-to-be.html

Museo Pambata Part 3: Introducing Kids to Theater, Dance, and Music
http://nikki-mama.blogspot.com/2011/11/museo-pambata-part-3-introducing-kids.html


Museo Pambata Part 4: Exposing Kids to Entrepreneurship
http://nikki-mama.blogspot.com/2011/11/museo-pambata-part-4-exposing-kids-to.html

Museo Pambata Part 5: Instilling Environmental Awareness Early On

http://nikki-mama.blogspot.com/2011/11/museo-pambata-part-5-instilling.html

Narra's Star on Museo Pambata's Christmas Tree

http://nikki-mama.blogspot.com/2011/11/narras-star-on-museo-pambatas-christmas.html