Truly Rich and Blessed

Coming Home: Bo Sanchez’s Kerygma Conference 2015 (An Invitation & A Giveaway)

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*The giveaway for the Kerygma Conference 2015 is closed. Congratulations to Lady Lyn Escrieses!*

When you think of the word “home,” what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? Is it a big house? A cozy apartment? A posh condo?

Or is it something more?

If you were to ask me the same question, this is what comes to mind:

kerygma conference 2015

Home = Heaven with Jesus, Mama Mary and all the saints; my “original” family, and my own growing family now :)

It’s not about a physical structure. It’s not about the furniture or clutter (heehee, I just had to say that, since our physical home is full of it! 😉 ) or anything material.

Home, to me, is truly where your heart is. Just as it says in this quote by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.:

Where we love is home – home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.

As a Catholic, I truly believe that we will only find our ultimate “home” in Jesus; that our hearts will only find rest in Him. Just as Saint Augustine once said:

kerygma conference 2015

And while we are journeying here on Earth, and getting glimpses of our “True Home”, i.e. Heaven, we should take every opportunity to “come Home” to God; to experience His love, healing, power and grace. Because He wants to bless us. He wants to use us. He wants to change us.

That’s why I’m so grateful to God for the Kerygma Conference. Dubbed as “the biggest inspirational learning event in the country,” the Conference is an annual gathering where people from all walks of life can receive spiritual “nourishment” and practical teachings, too — on how to live better, more blessed lives so that, in turn, God can use them to bless others. 🙂

kerygma conference 2015

“Founded” in 2007 by bestselling author, dynamic lay preacher and “millionaire missionary” Bo Sanchez, the Kerygma Conference is having its ninth run this year. Our family has been #trulyrichandblessed to be part of it in a more “intimate” way for the past few years, since my husband serves as the Project Manager (aka Events Coordinator) for the Conference.

kerygma conference 2015

I’ve personally seen how people’s lives have been changed for the better through the Conference, and so I’d like to invite you to attend it, and be blessed and empowered through all the talks.

kerygma conference 2015

Join us and the rest of the expected crowd of 20,000 participants at the Kerygma Conference in Metro Manila on November 19-22, 2015 at SMX Convention Center and SM Mall of Asia Arena (there will be separate runs in Cebu and ).

kerygma conference 2015

Kuya/Bro. Bo Sanchez, the Kerygma preachers, and other world-class speakers will be sharing fresh and life-changing insights during the plenary talks and different classes, which have been categorized into 5 different “streams”: (1) business and career, (2) leadership and education, (3) family and relationships, (4) health and wellness, and (5) church and ministry systems.

This way, the Conference has something for every attendee, and for every aspect of a person’s life. 🙂 (Click here to download the Kerygma Conference 2015 brochure for the details of the class schedules and speakers.) 

In face, there will even be a special Youth Conference on November 21-22.

kerygma conference 2015

For the main Conference attendees, we will surely be inspired by all the speakers, who have been carefully chosen for their passion and dedication to their respective crafts and missions.

This year’s plenary speakers include international speaker ” who will be sharing his relentless passion for life and faith (watch the short video below to learn more about how God changed Justin’s life).

Other plenary speakers include Fr. Joel Jason, one of the most sought-after Filipino theologians and current head of the Commission on Family and Life of the Archdiocese of Manila, and Rex Mendoza, an esteemed corporate leader of various corporations such as AIA Group, Philam Life, Ayala Land, and Globe Telecom.

kerygma conference 2015

Arun Gogna, senior Feast builder of the Feast Alabang, and Alvin Barcelona, one of the senior Feast builders at the Feast Bay Area will also be there.

On November 22, the Feast of Christ the King, the Kerygma Conference will end with two “Grand Feasts” at the Mall of Asia Arena. Holy Masses will be celebrated by Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD (A.M. session) and Fr. Mario Sobrejuanite, SSP (P.M. session). Plenary talks after each Mass will be given by Bo Sanchez and Alvin Barcelona.

kerygma conference 2015

Non-conference attendees can attend the Grand Feast A.M. session by purchasing tickets from www.smtickets.com.

kerygma conference 2015

Meanwhile, the Grand Feast P.M. session attendees (i.e. Kerygma Conference ticket-holders) will be treated to entertainment numbers by Ogie Alcasid, Regine Velasquez-Alcasid and Jaya.

kerygma conference 2015

So I invite you, dear friends and readers, and even those who may have just stumbled upon this blog, come home to blessings and inspiration this November at the Kerygma Conference 2015. Get your tickets now at www.kerygmaconference.com.

kerygma conference 2015

BUT WAIT! 🙂

As mentioned in the title of this post, this isn’t just an invitation to the Conference — it’s to tell you about this awesome giveaway! 🙂

Thanks to the generosity of the Kerygma Conference Team, I’m giving away TWO (2) Power Package Tickets plus freebies from The Generics Pharmacy to ONE #trulyrichandblessed person. 🙂 Power Package tickets entitle the bearers to admission to the 4-day conference, complete with the classes of your choice — total of 9 classes [3 classes a day].

So here’s what you need to do to join the giveaway (this is open to anyone with a Facebook and/or Instagram account; please make sure that your Instagram account is set to Public):

1. Follow me on Instagram: . Leave a comment on my photo there, where I mention this post. (Look for the photo which includes the Saint Augustine quote; i.e. the SECOND photo in this blog post.)

2. If you are on Instagram, post a photo (any photo will do!) and tag and @kerygmaconference. You must include a caption that says why you wish to attend the Kerygma Conference. For example: “I want to attend the Kerygma Conference because I believe that God will speak to me powerfully there! @kerygmaconference”

3. Like my NEW Facebook page: ““, NOT “Truly Rich Mom”. Look for the post that mentions this Kerygma Conference 2015 invitation and giveaway, and share it on your personal wall. (Again, look for the photo which includes the Saint Augustine quote; i.e. the SECOND photo in this blog post.)

IMPORTANT: Your Facebook share/post must be set to Public. You must also state why you wish to attend the Kerygma Conference in your personal “share”/post, and tag @Truly Rich and Blessed and @Kerygma Conference, plus tag at least THREE (3) of your friends on Facebook.

4. Leave a comment on this blog post, “Coming Home: Bo Sanchez’s Kerygma Conference 2015 (An Invitation & A Giveaway),” with your name, the link to your Facebook post and/OR your Instagram post about this giveaway. In the comment, please tell me what your version of “Coming Home” means. For example: “Coming Home to me means coming home to God, the only Source of peace and joy.”

One winner will be announced on Monday, the 16th of November, here on this blog post, and .

kerygma conference 2015

This is what my new FB page looks like. 🙂 Just to be sure you follow the right instructions. :)

To end, may I just request that you please say a prayer for all those preparing for the Conference, including my husband and his team, and our respective families? Your prayers would mean a lot to us!

Praying for all of you too, especially those who will be joining the giveaway, and those who will be attending/serving at the Kerygma Conference! 🙂 God bless us all!

 

Image credits: First photo — Picture of Madonna and Child by sritangphoto | FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

Updates + The Scholastic Readers Cup 2015: 4 Important Reminders for Parents and Educators

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It has been quite a while since my last post here, I know.

To tell you the truth, I have had my hands full again with oh so many things (the usual — the kids, chores, WORK, etc.), not to mention events that I have been attending as “media” (though I am still not used to being labelled as such!) and events to which I have been invited as a speaker (Invite me, invite me! Before I give birth, haha!).

HSS talk

I was invited to give a talk lately at the PTA Assembly of Holy Spirit School — I learned a lot from chatting with the teachers and parents! 🙂 Photo from my Instagram feed (yup, I’m finally on IG — , if you want! 😉 )

Then there is also the “laziness” that comes with being pregnant — many days, all I want to do is lie in bed and read a book (or scroll through my social media feeds! Aaarrggghhh!).

On the few occasions when I did get to sit down and attempt to write a blog post, I was dismayed to find out that I couldn’t log in to WordPress! Huhuhu! 🙁 (It’s a loooong story, but let me just say — I need to subscribe to a new internet service provider!)

Anyway… here I am now, at my mom’s place, taking advantage of the fact that I can finally access the back end of this blog. (Thank you for your patience, everyone!)

First thing on my bloggy agenda is to share important reminders about reading and problem-solving, and learning in general — based on lessons that I learned from attending the Scholastic Readers Cup 2015 last month.

scholastic readers cup 2015

I was most inspired by the talk given by Dr. Duriya Aziz, Vice President of Scholastic Asia — she sounded a lot like some of my former teachers in Brunei, actually! :)

I won’t go into the nitty-gritty of the event though, because:

(a) I already wrote about it for Philstar.com;

(b) it’s 4.30 a.m. and I should be sleeping (so says every person who discovers that I am awake and online at hours like these! “You should be resting; growing your baby requires enough sleep; etc.!”); and

(c) the toddler might wake up to nurse and I won’t be able to finish this post because I’ll end up falling asleep beside her! 😛

So… please forgive me but I’ll just go straight to the point of why I found the Scholastic Readers Cup 2015 truly educational and insightful, especially as a parent and an educator-of-sorts (since we homeschool and all 🙂 ). Here are my four main takeaways, which, I believe, serve as important reminders for all educators and parents, since we parents are considered the primary educators of our children:

1. We need to teach children how to learn and how to use what they learn.

scholastic readers cup 2015

As a parent, one of my goals is to raise independent learners who know how to learn, meaning, how to get information on anything and everything they want to. I think this goal would apply whether or not we homeschool.

At the Scholastic Readers Cup 2015 though, I was reminded that, in today’s society, it’s not just what you know that matters; it’s what you can do with that knowledge that is most important. This is something that both parents and teachers should remember when teaching kids. We need to teach them about the “usefulness” of what they learn; after all, learning should be purposeful, right? 🙂

2. We need to encourage children to read beyond what is “required” of them.

scholastic readers cup 2015

This is something I have been personally struggling with working on with my kids. They LOVE it when I read aloud to them, but are not yet very big on independent reading beyond what is required of their curriculum. So, we’re working on improving the culture of reading that we currently have, by hoarding getting books which the kids find interesting (many of which are actually from Scholastic!).

I also plan to use charts to help us achieve our goals, which will help the kids track the number of books that they read. Of course, since our Kindergartener/beginning reader doesn’t read so fluently yet, her book “requirements” will be simpler, and limited to the phonics readers we are currently using.

3. We need to encourage and teach children to be problem-solvers.

scholastic readers cup 2015

Based on the slide pictured above, plus Dr. Aziz’s talk, we must remember that both reading and problem-solving (related to proficiency in mathematics) are important. I personally was both a language and math “nerd” when I was still a student, but admittedly loved language more (hence, my current “job description” as writer/editor/communicator!).

As a parent (and a teacher), I hope for my kids to love (or at least like) both too — reading and math. I know that I need to encourage and inspire them to actually have that “love” though, and it is definitely challenging! Time to make concrete plans for the new school year! 😉

Schoolteachers would also do well to encourage their students to be proficient in both math and reading, as this would mean better opportunities for the children later on in life.

4. We need to assess children to help them prepare for the future.

scholastic readers cup 2015

Personally, as a recently self-declared “,” I am not very fond of assessment tools like tests and exams. I actually don’t give my kids regular quizzes, tests and exams. But after attending the Scholastic Readers Cup this year, I was encouraged to look at tests and exams in a different light — more as a “teaching tool,” rather than a way to see what grades my kids are capable of getting. (I know, I know — my bad for thinking of them as such!)

Assessment is not a bad thing — it helps us parents and teachers determine a child’s certain level in a specific subject, so that we can identify areas that need improvement. Something I need to constantly keep in mind! 🙂

In hindsight, I can say that I am really glad that I was invited to the Scholastic Readers Cup 2015. I learned a lot, and am even more inspired to be my children’s “first and best teacher,” as my friends from The Learning Basket always say! 🙂

Scholastic is the world’s largest publisher and distributor of over 600 original titles every year. The Readers Cup is an event that recognizes the exemplary efforts of educators — from teachers and librarians, to principals and schools. At this year’s Readers Cup, Scholastic also launched its new programs, namely Literacy Pro, Literacy Pro Library, and PR1ME Mathematics.

For more information on Scholastic, and its products and programs, email or contact (02) 944READ (7323). You can find also them online via their website: http://scholastic.asia/en and on Facebook: .

KidZania Manila: A Sneak Peek + FAQs + Practical Tips to Help You Plan Your Visit (UPDATED as of August 7, 2015)

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Warning: This is quite a long post, but I hope it will be worth your time, especially if you plan on visiting KidZania Manila soon! 😉

(Note on August 7, 2015: We were able to visit KidZania a second time, with LOTS more people around, and so I felt I had to update this post! If you read it already before without the updates, please do read it again if you can! Thanks!)

kidzania manila

Finally, the moment we parents have all been waiting for is here: KidZania Manila is set to open its doors to the public on August 7, 2015! 🙂 In case you haven’t heard, KidZania Manila is THE ultimate pretend play place for kids — it’s “the play city where kids do big things”!

The concept of KidZania actually originated in Mexico, and KidZania Manila is the 20th KidZania city in the world — the first of its kind in the Philippines!

kidzania manila

KidZania’s mascots or “RightZKeepers” performing at KidZania Go!, KidZania Manila’s Pre-Launch Event earlier this year, which we were blessed to attend (Photo courtesy of KidZania Manila’s Ministry of Communications)

Located at Park Triangle in Bonifacio Global City, KidZania Manila boasts of 8,000 square meters of play space, with over 50 activity centers where kids aged 4-14 will have THE ultimate pretend play experience — and I’m not exaggerating! Believe me, your kids will surely be begging you to go back! (Our kids are still asking me when we can do so, ha, ha!)

KidZania Manila

Screen shot from the KidZania Manila website. For a larger version of the map to KidZania Manila, click .

So, what exactly can you see at KidZania Manila? Here’s a sneak peek — though you’ll have to forgive me, because being four months pregnant now (*surprise, surprise, in case you didn’t know! 😉 *), with three kids running around, I really had a hard time taking photos and noting things down during the “city tour” we had at the Press Preview!

KidZania Manila: Getting inside

kidzania manila

Upon entering, you “check in” at the KidZania International Airport, where you pay for your tickets, which can be booked online starting August 3.

You will receive a KidZania City Map, a “boarding pass,” KidZania City Codes (which contains all the rules and regulations inside KidZania Manila — I recommend you read them BEFORE you go; just click here). Each child will also get a check worth 50 “kidZos,” which is the currency used inside the city. They can encash the checks at the BPI bank inside KidZania Manila.

Below are the ticket prices, based on the KidZania Manila official website:

Ticket prices from August 7 to October 7, 2015:

Weekdays: Mondays-Thursdays

  • Children (4-14 years old) – P750
  • Toddlers (1-3 years old) – P420
  • Babies/ Kids below two (2) feet in height – FREE
  • Adults – P420.00

Weekends: Fridays – Sundays (and National Holidays)

  • Children (4-14 years old) – P1,000
  • Toddlers (1-3 years old) – P550
  • Babies/ Kids below two (2) feet in height – FREE
  • Adults – 550.00

Ticket prices from October 8, 2015 onwards:

Weekdays: Mondays-Thursdays

  • Children (4-14 years old) – P900
  • Toddlers (1-3 years old) – P500
  • Babies/ Kids below two (2) feet in height – FREE
  • Adults – P500.00

Weekends: Fridays – Sundays (and National Holidays)

  • Children (4-14 years old) – P1,100
  • Toddlers (1-3 years old) – P600
  • Babies/ Kids below two (2) feet in height – FREE
  • Adults – 600.00

kidzania manilaFor parents like me who have more than one child and no helpers/yayas, or won’t be bringing them along, you may be wondering how you can keep track of each kid, and about the security of your kids while inside the city. Don’t worry — KidZania has it covered! 🙂

From the official website:

All visitors who enter KidZania Manila will be required to wear an RFID (radio frequency identification) security bracelet. Each child will be matched with a corresponding adult who will also wear an RFID security bracelet. No child is allowed to leave the facility without being accompanied or picked-up by the registered adult.

Here is what the bracelets look like (photo from the KidZania Manila website):

kidzania manila

If you have toddlers or younger children, the bracelets will be placed on their ankles instead of their wrists. (Our toddler insisted on having hers on her wrist though, like her older siblings!)

Once you have passed “security checks” at the airport, you — well, more like your kids actually — can begin having fun! 🙂 (Though I am sure all the adults who visit KidZania Manila will be amazed and thrilled at all the fun things that can be done too!)

KidZania Manila: Things to do once you’re inside

Here are photos of just SOME of the things you can see — and what your kids can do — at KidZania Manila (some of these are also on ):

One of the “main attractions” for the kids is the Airline Crew Training Facility, or “aviation academy,” as my son calls it. I was unable to take photos inside because our toddler was all over the place, ha, ha! Note that kids have to pay for the activity here, similar to real life, when one pays to attend training workshops, etc. So make sure that your child has already exchanged his/her check for cash before you go here (or anywhere else, for that matter)!

Also shown in the photo is the city’s Radio Station, where kids can part of a live radio broadcast, and the Theater, where they can show their acting talents in a stage play, or be part of the marching band at the City Clock Tower (on the balcony of the theater).

kidzania manila

Among the other activities that kids can do at KidZania Manila (clockwise, left to right): Learn how to care for trees and plants at the Urban Garden; create their own treats and snacks at the Oishi Creative Hub; visit the KidZania Tiangge and make their own handmade arts & craft creations to take home; and learn how to file for and pay taxes at the City Tax Office (kids can also help compute and collect taxes from businesses inside the city).

kidzania manila

Other fun activities, which my kids tried so they could earn more kidZos: Apply for a job at the Magazine Publishing House and make your own comic strip — Tim did this while his little sisters were at the Beauty Salon nearby. 😉 The girls spent some of their kidZos first, because they wanted to get manicures! Then they got busy “working” at the salon, so they could earn back their money! Ha, ha!

kidzania manila

One of the most amusing experiences for me as a parent at KidZania Manila: Our toddler was a “police officer” alongside her sister, while their Kuya helped put out a fire! (The firefighting activity is actually one of the most popular ones in KidZania, because the kids get to ride a moving fire truck and use actual water to “put out” a fire at a hotel.)

kidzania manila

Here’s another place where the girls spent some time: The KidZania Hospital, where kids can be part of a paramedic team, or work together to perform a transplant operation. The photo on top shows our toddler trying to get into the ambulance, ha, ha! :) The ambulance is a moving one, and it goes around the city with the fire truck when the kiddie firefighters go to put out a “fire.”

kidzania manila

IMPORTANT NOTE: Our 2-year-old was allowed inside some of the establishments just for that day — usually, only kids ages 4 to 14 are allowed inside to do the activities. Maybe it was because it was a special event for the press? Anyway, she had LOTS of fun and, to my surprise and amusement, listened attentively to all the “lessons” taught by the Zupervisors in the different areas! 🙂 Thank you, everyone, for being so nice and accommodating, especially to our little one!

Actually, kids ages 3 and below are welcome to roam around KidZania — walking, sitting in strollers (must not be larger than 36″ x 52″ or 92 cm x 132 cm), carried or “worn” by their parents — BUT are not allowed to participate in the activities.

There are, however, two special areas designated for them: the RightZKeepers’ House, and the Kindergarten. Our toddler had a blast at the former (we were unable to visit the latter) — it’s basically a play area that is full of pretend play items perfect for little ones! The “bedroom” is actually a “bouncy-house” area, and the bathtub is like a ball pit.

(NOTE: Although my two older kids are seen in the photo of the bedroom {bottom right}, they’re actually NOT allowed in there! They were allowed just for that day, since the RightZKeepers’ House and the Kindergarten are strictly for kids 3 and below. Parents/guardians are welcome to stay and keep an eye on them, of course!)

kidzania manila

(IMPORTANT UPDATE as of August 7, 2015: During our second trip to KidZania for a special preview for homeschoolers, I found out that there are times that kids below 4 years old are allowed to do certain activities in areas outside the RightZKeepers’ House and the Kindergarten. According to the Zupervisor I spoke to though, this is on a case to case basis, depending on the number of children ages 4 and below who are waiting in line for the RightZKeepers’ House and Kindergarten. The line will get pretty long on ordinary days, I bet!)

More places your kids can check out: The Bookstore, where they can browse freely through the books, or take part in storytelling sessions; the Ice Cream Factory, where they can learn how to make their own ice cream; the Climbing Building, where they can pretend to be cable service installers (IMPORTANT: your kids need to be wearing shoes for this — our son wasn’t able to try it because he was wearing sandals); and the Hotel, where they can have a go at working in housekeeping, food and dining, or reception.

kidzania manila

Please forgive the poor lighting of some of my photos!

As previously mentioned, these are just SOME of the places you can see and the things your kids can do in KidZania Manila. Check out a more complete list of activities on their website. 🙂

(IMPORTANT UPDATE as of August 7, 2015: Again, during the homeschoolers’ preview of KidZania, I discovered that there are certain activities that have recommended ages and/or height requirements, so it is best to check these on the “plaque” or notice that is placed at the entrance of each establishment/activity area.)

When your kids are ready to go (or your time limit is up, whichever comes first!), all of you have to proceed to the Immigration Office. That is where you surrender your security bracelets and “check out.”

The KidZania Manila souvenir shop — dubbed the National Store — is strategically located right below the Immigration Office, so if you want to get souvenirs of your visit, you can do so. (Sorry, no photos, tired me was in a rush to get the kids out and find a taxi!)

FAQs about KidZania Manila

When my friends saw the photos of our KidZania “field trip,” a few of them had questions for me, the answers to which I think will be helpful to other people as well — so I am sharing their Q’s and the A’s here:

1. Is there a separate fee for each establishment/activity area inside KidZania Manila?

No. The fee you pay (when you buy your tickets) covers entrance to ALL the establishments/activity areas inside KidZania. 

2. Are children with disabilities allowed to enter KidZania Manila?

Yes! They are very welcome! The Zupervisor I spoke to at the Press Preview emphasized this to me when I asked them about it. Should they need assistance doing the activities, the Zupervisors can help them out OR the child’s adult companion can do so.

3. Are we allowed to bring our own food and drinks?

No, except for the following:

  • Distilled drinking water for infant formula
  • Any food required for medical purposes and medically–indicated nutritional supplements
  • Any food required for special dietary needs
  • Canned, jarred, or processed baby food, breast milk and infant formula
  • Liquids including water, juice, or liquid nutrition or gels for passengers with a disability or medical condition are permitted “in the absence of suspicious activity”

*If needed, you may also bring soft-sided insulated bags no larger than 8.5″ wide x 6″ high x 6″ deep.

4. Where can we buy food and drinks while inside KidZania Manila then?

Personally, if you’re on a budget (and who isn’t these days, right?! 😉 ), I would recommend that you eat a heavy meal before going inside KidZania Manila. If you really need to buy food and drinks there, you can choose from the following food outlets:

  • McDonalds
  • Yellow Cab
  • Via Mare
  • Goldilocks
  • Mini-Stop
  • Purefoods 

5. Is there a discount for PWDs?

I asked this at the press preview, and was told “Yes,” there will be a 20% discount during the soft opening (which is next week). Beyond that, there is no information yet regarding special discounts (at least, that’s what the Zupervisor who I was talking to told me).

If you want to be really, really sure though, it may be best to contact KidZania Manila ahead of time via phone: 2-711-KidZ, or email: , or via (they reply pretty quickly to messages!).

6. Are parents allowed inside the establishments/activity areas?

No, but you will be able to view your kids through the glass doors and windows of the establishments/activity areas. If your kids are old enough to be left roaming around the city, you can even have some “me-time” at the Parents’ Lounge, if you want! 

(The lounge, pictured below, comes complete with electrical outlets, and a McCafe. There is free wi-fi inside KidZania as well.) 

kidzania manila

(UPDATE as of August 7, 2015: Apparently, no kids are allowed here — I was not aware of this during the Press Preview, and only discovered this on our second visit, so I gave feedback to one of the Zupervisors that I think they should review this rule, as some parents go to KidZania with toddlers or babies who might fall asleep, and so it would be nice for them to be able to rest inside the Parents’ Lounge.)

7. Will bringing kids younger than 3 years old be “worth it”?

It depends on your budget. 😉 If you have the resources, go for it — although, like I said before, kids 3 and below are (usually) allowed inside two areas only, namely the RightZKeepers’ House and the Kindergarten. (In my humble opinion, it would be best to wait for your kid to be 5 or 6 years old, so they can do more things there. Some 4-year-olds might not like the other activities. 🙂 )

8. Can our kids bring home the kidZos that they earn inside KidZania Manila?

Yes, they can, but you need to make sure that they are not damaged so that they can use them again in their next visit.

Better yet, open a bank account inside KidZania Manila before you leave, and have them deposit their extra kidZos there for safekeeping. (Remember, children can use kidZos to buy stuff or pay for services inside the city, just like in real life.)

9. Can we bring bags and/or strollers inside?

Yes, you can. There are baggage and stroller counters available, for your convenience.

10. Are we allowed to re-enter KidZania within our allotted time for the day?

Kindly note that only adults are allowed to re-enter KidZania within the allotted time for the day, BUT you must make sure that your kid companions 8 years old and below have accompanying guardians with them.

Practical tips to help you plan your Kidzania Manila visit 

To be perfectly honest, I had no idea what KidZania Manila would look like, except for what I saw in articles and social media. So I wasn’t really prepared for the experience, and neither were the kids! Ha, ha!

That’s why I’m sharing these tips with YOU, in the hopes that they will help you plan for your own visit (and as reminders to myself, too, for the next time we go there!). Remember, KidZania Manila opens to the public on August 7, so start planning! 🙂

1. Talk to your kids about what they can do inside KidZania Manila.

Orient them about the “entrance process” (i.e. security bracelets, etc.), and, if possible, discuss in advance which activities they’d like to try first. Again, you can check out the activities here. I suggest you let them choose freely, depending on their interests. Make a list of the activities that they want to try BEFORE you go.

(UPDATE as of August 7, 2015: But do “warn” them that they may not be able to try EVERYTHING on their list, as the lines might be long — based on our second trip there, when there were A LOT more kids!)

2. If you’re going with more than one child, decide on which kid(s) will be “independent” and which kid(s) will need a companion.

Generally, I’d say kids ages 8 and above would be “independent” enough to go around on their own (like our son was!). Actually, according to the KidZania Manila City Codes:

Child Visitors above eight (8) years old shall be allowed to remain in the facility without a parent/guardian.  Said parent/guardian will be requested to fill up a UNIVERSAL ADULT FORM which should be presented by the same adult during pick-up.  Only the parent/guardian stated in this form are will be allowed to pick up the child Visitor.

If you’re with multiple younger kids, it would be best to just go around together, like I did with my daughters (ages 6 and 2).

Be prepared, though, in case your younger child insists on going into an activity area with his/her older sibling — I had to distract our toddler with other things at times, because she wanted to go inside activity areas/establishments with her sister!

3. Make sure everyone is dressed comfortably and wearing proper footwear.

The KidZania Manila City Codes outlines the proper attire that visitors should have. I recommend that you and your kids wear comfortable tops and pants or shorts, and comfortable shoes.

(Although all of us were wearing sandals when we went, which is perfectly OK, too, though, as I mentioned, my son wasn’t able to do the climbing activity because he wasn’t wearing shoes.)

4. Once you’re inside KidZania Manila, have an “orientation” with your kids BEFORE you let them go off and do their desired activities.

Show them where the toilets and fire exits are.

kidzania manila

The toilets are all child-friendly of course!

Also, designate at least two places where you can meet at a certain time — good suggestions are the Parents’ Lounge and the City Clock Tower. (Or, if you’re bringing kids 3 years old and below, the RightZKeepers’ House, since you’ll probably be spending most of your time there.)

5. If your (older) kids have their own cellphones, make sure they bring them inside. 

This way, it will be easier to contact them and locate them if needed. If they don’t have their own phones, maybe you can lend them an extra phone if you have one. Or if you have personal 2-way radios, you can use those too. 😉 (UPDATE as of August 7, 2015: So sorry, I should have inquired about this at the Press Preview! We brought 2-way radios during our second visit and apparently, they are NOT allowed! My bad!)

6. Remind your kids about what to do in case they are “lost.”

Technically, your kids won’t get “lost” inside KidZania Manila, since it is a secure and safe place.

However, there may be times that they will look for you and don’t know where to find you (like what happened with my son!). So, remind them about what they should do in those instances:

  • Stay calm (and pray!) and approach one of the Zupervisors (the people who work there inside the city)
  • Ask if they can help locate you — your children should be able to tell the Zupervisors your name and contact number, if needed (Of course, they should already know this even before you go inside KidZania!). Your contact number will also be linked to your security bracelet, along with your name, so it will be easier for you to be found.
kidzania manila

The zupervisors at KidZania Manila are zuper friendly and have good rapport with kids! :)

Don’t worry, because KidZania has excellent security and safety measures — quoting their official website and based on our experience:

Professional security and other measures such as CCTV monitoring cameras, paging system, and emergency facility features are in place to ensure that each child remains safe while inside KidZania Manila. To attend to medical concerns, KidZania Manila has a dedicated, fully qualified first aid team inside the city. Likewise, key frontline personnel are trained in the provision of first-aid and carry basic medical kits with them at all times.

7. It would be advisable for your kids to do the following first:

  • If you have extra cash with you, visit the PaZZport Office before your kids go off to do any activity. There, a child can get a KidZania PaZZport for a one-time fee of P250, and be a “citizen,” i.e. a member of the B.KidZanian loyalty program. As a citizen, you get benefits like earning more kidZos per activity. The passport is stamped for every “job” or activity the kids do.
  • Whether they become a citizen or not, kids should prioritize encashing their checks for kidZos at the Bank inside the city. While they’re there, they can also open a bank account. (My kids weren’t able to do this, so… note to self!)
kidzania manila

This is what kidZos look like. (Photo from the KidZania Manila website)

  • Attend “school” first so they are “equipped” for their future “jobs.” They can do this at the University, where they can get a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. (Note: Kids have to pay kidZos for this, since they are “investing” in their education.)
  • Once they are ready to work, they can opt to go to the Job Information Center. Here, kids can create business cards, look for a job or take an assessment test. This is TOTALLY optional though, because my kids didn’t go here, and they were able to participate in the activities.
kidzania manila

The university and job information center inside KidZania Manila

After that, you can pretty much just let them be. Allow them to explore and learn and PLAY… and, as it says in the image below (taken inside KidZania Manila) BE PART OF HISTORY! 🙂

kidzania manila

Like I said earlier, 4-months-pregnant-and-tires-very-easily me wasn’t really able to go around the place that much to take photos and such, since I was busy keeping an eye on our toddler, who insisted on trailing her older sister around wherever she went!

So, if you want to see more “sneak-peek” photos of KidZania, plus individual parents’ tips and experiences, you can check out my blogger friends’ posts below (UPDATED this list as of August 7, 2015, to include posts from other bloggers and parents, including those who joined the special preview for homeschoolers — in italics):

Our Awesome Planet: First Timer’s Guide to @KidZania Manila

Mom on a Mission: KidZania Manila: A City Made for Kids 

Moomy Musings: The Clueless Parent’s Guide to Visiting KidZania Manila

The Misis Chronicles: All You Need to Know About KidZania Manila: Opening Date, Tickets Prices, What to Expect Plus Insider Tips

Art of Being a Mom: KidZania Manila The Ultimate Play City for Kids

Rappler | Life & Style: What to expect at KidZania Manila, where learning and playtime meet

My Mom Friday: What to Expect at KidZania Manila 

The Filipino Homeschooler: KidZania Manila First Timer’s Guide

Mommiography: Our KidZania Experience

The Passionate Mom: Our KidZania Experience

Chuvaness: First Look Inside KidZania Manila at Bonifacio Global City

You can also check out the following articles for more sneak peeks of KidZania Manila:

Spot.ph: FIRST LOOK: KidZania at Park Triangle, Bonifacio Global City

Smart Parenting: First Look: What to Expect at KidZania Manila

To the KidZania Manila team, zank you for having us! 🙂 Zee you very, very zoon!

For more information about KidZania Manila, visit www.manila.kidzania.com, “Like” , or follow KidZania Manila on and . You can also call them at 2-711-KidZ (711-5439).

If you found this post helpful, especially in planning your KidZania experience, please do share it with others! Also, feel free to share your KidZania experience with me in the comments, or on ! 

On being busy and sick (Plus an invitation to the Salamat Nanay Art Exhibit and the Work-at-Home Weekend Expo!)

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I’m back! I know it’s been ages since my last post here. (Well, in the blogging world, I think 12 days between blog posts is considered “ages”!) I also know I said I’d try to chronicle our homeschooling adventures on a daily basis but obviously that hasn’t been happening, for many different reasons.

Mostly, it’s because I have been busy with work and, umm… homeschooling. Ha, ha! Not to mention the routine chores, etc. So I guess, in a way, and by default, I’m back to slow blogging then.

The month of October is flying by all too quickly… After I got sick and recovered, it was my husband’s turn to get sick. And then two out of our three kids. And now, it’s me again. I realize that it’s all probably because I/we have not been being true to my One Word for this year. Unhealthy eating and sleeping habits have taken their toll on me (and I guess, my family too)! I am re-committed to correcting that now though. Lord, help me!

In between being busy and sick, we also celebrated our eldest’s 8th birthday with a (last-minute) surprise party! Wow, time really flies!

tim's bday

I want to thank Max’s Restaurant for their great service — particularly their Scout Tuazon branch. You see, we had less than a week to prepare for the party (toldja it was last minute!), and they really helped us get everything ready. Since our guests were limited to immediate family and Tim’s godparents, we just opted to rent one of the function rooms and order from their set menus. We had a blast! (And no, this is NOT a sponsored post for Max’s! 🙂 )

So anyway, I’d also like to invite you all to two awesome events happening this week: the SALAMAT NANAY Art Exhibit on October 23, and the Work-at-Home Weekend Expo on October 25.

SALAMAT NANAY Art Exhibit

philstar.com-salamat nanay

Here is more information about the exhibit, from our children’s art teacher, Dindi Manlapaz’s website: [Read more…]

September is Baby Safety Month: Celebrate with “Safety Zone”, An Event in Support of Children’s Hour (+ A Giveaway!)

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I’ve heard people say that being a parent means having an “extension of your heart” outside of yourself. Isn’t that so true?! Aside from all our other roles and responsibilities, we worry about our children’s diet, skin care, physical health, social and mental development… the list goes on and on! (In the case of homeschooling moms like me, we also worry about whether our children are learning what they’re “supposed” to be learning, etc. etc.!)

With so many other things to be concerned about, it helps to be knowledgeable on the everyday dangers that our children may be exposed to, and how to protect them. Educating ourselves can help us make informed choices for the benefit of our little ones. After all, “knowledge is power,” as they say, and ignorance is not an excuse!

Learn all you can at “Safety Zone” and support Children’s Hour, too!

This is why I’d like to invite you to “Safety Zone”, a community charity event brought to you by and Halo SleepSack Philippines.   In celebration of Baby Safety Month this September, “Safety Zone” brings together all the trusted brands that help safeguard your child. This charity event aims to educate guests on what every parent must know to keep your child safe, while raising funds in support of Children’s Hour. [Read more…]

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