Museo Pambata facts for kids
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The Museo Pambata, in the 1911 Manila Elks Club bldg.
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| Established | 1993 |
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| Location | Ermita, Manila, Philippines |
| Type | Children's museum |
The Museo Pambata is a special place in Manila, Philippines, often called the Children's Museum. It is located in the Ermita district, close to Rizal Park. This museum is inside an old building, the former Elks Club Building, which was built way back in 1910. It is a fun and interactive museum designed just for kids!
Contents
Discovering Museo Pambata
Museo Pambata is not like a regular museum where you just look at things. Here, you can touch, play, and learn through hands-on exhibits. It's a place where learning feels like an adventure. The museum also hosts many exciting programs and events for different groups of people.
How the Museum Started
The idea for Museo Pambata came from Nina Lim-Yuson, who is an expert in early childhood education and a mother of four. She visited the Boston Children’s Museum in America and wished for a similar place in the Philippines. She wanted Filipino children to have a special museum where they could learn and play.
In March 1993, Nina, along with her mother, Estefania Aldaba-Lim, shared their dream museum idea with the mayor of Manila at the time, Alfredo Lim. The mayor liked the idea and quickly approved it.
The museum's first leaders were chosen in June 1993. Many talented people, including teachers, artists, architects, and museum experts, worked together. They brainstormed ideas for the museum's different rooms. An architect and stage designer named Joselito Tecson helped bring these ideas to life by designing the theme rooms for free.
In December 1993, the Manila City Council agreed to let Museo Pambata use the Elks Club Building for free for 10 years. Money raised by the museum's leaders was used to fix up the old building.
Many sponsors, called "Ninongs and Ninangs," helped the museum get started by donating money. These sponsors included foundations, companies, and individuals.
After a year of hard work, Museo Pambata finally opened its doors on December 21, 1994. It was the first children's museum in the Philippines! Since then, many more organizations and people have continued to support the museum.
In March 2012, Museo Pambata received a special award from the First Children’s Museum Award in Bologna, Italy. They were recognized for inspiring new children's museums in the Philippines and across Asia. The museum also received a nomination for a "Best Soft Power Cultural Organization" award in 2016, which is like the "Oscars for museums."
The museum temporarily closed during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. After some renovations, it happily reopened on December 6, 2024, just in time for its 30th anniversary celebration!
Exciting Theme Rooms
Museo Pambata has eight amazing theme rooms, each offering a unique learning experience:
- Kalikasan (Environment) and Karagatan (Under the Sea) - Step into a pretend rainforest and explore an underwater world. Here, you can learn about protecting our environment and oceans.
- Maynila Noon (Old Manila) - Travel back in time to learn about Manila's history. See old artifacts and exhibits that show what Manila was like a long time ago.
- Paglaki Ko (Career Options) - Imagine what you want to be when you grow up! This room shows different jobs, like writers and illustrators, and helps you think about your future career.
- I Love My Planet Earth - Discover how climate change affects our planet and what you can do to help take care of Earth.
- Pamilihang Bayan (Marketplace) - This room looks like a row of play stores. You can pretend to be a shop owner and practice your business skills.
- Katawan Ko (My Body Works) - Learn all about the human body! See how your organs work and get tips on how to stay healthy.
- Bata sa Mundo (Children in the Global Village) - This room displays dolls from all over the world, showing how children live in different cultures.
Besides the theme rooms, the museum also has a children's library, a hall for changing exhibits, a gift shop, places for events, a playground, and parking.
Special Programs
Museo Pambata offers many educational programs and activities. These programs focus on important topics like children's rights and reading.
Children's Rights Programs
The museum strongly believes in children's rights, especially their right to education, health, play, and healthy growth. They have a special area called Karapatan Hall, dedicated to teaching kids about their rights.
One important activity was the Rights of the Child Awareness Tournament in 1995, followed by Mag-ROCK Tayo! (Rights Of the Child Kontest) in 2001-2002. These projects helped children learn about their basic rights, which are listed in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
In November 2009, a three-day event called Kanino ba ang CRC? (Whose responsibility is the CRC?) was held. Fifty children from different backgrounds came together to talk about their rights and responsibilities. They also shared messages with people and groups who work to protect children.
Literacy Programs
Since 1995, the Mobile Library Program has helped children who may not have many books. This program brings books to kids in Manila through storytelling and book-lending sessions. In 2001, a special Mobile Library van was launched. It's a big roving library with over 3,000 children's books and learning tools. This van helps children in Manila and nearby cities. The van was updated in 2011 to continue its important work.
In 1998, Museo Pambata launched Aklat: Karapatan at Kapangyarihan para sa Kabataan (The Book: The Right and Empowerment of the Youth), also known as Aklat:KKK. This program had two parts: reaching out to communities and activities at the museum. Four mini-libraries were given to communities in Manila. Storytelling sessions also became a regular event at the Museo Pambata Library.
In 1999, the Office of Manila Mayor Lito Atienza and Museo Pambata started Sa Aklat Sisikat! This was a city-wide reading campaign to encourage children in Manila's public schools to read more. It helped improve reading skills among students.
See also
In Spanish: Museo Pambata para niños
