Philippine Science Centrum: Fun For Children and Slightly Retarded Adults!

The last time I went to the Philippine Science Centrum was when I was a young lass from UPIS-- bored with field trips and something of a smart-ass. The PSC had put an "experience being weightless" spiel on their brochure, and I stupidly thought that I was going to be bouncing around like those NASA astronauts on tests. Imagine my disappointment when I discovered that the "weightless experience" was nothing more than a large mirror and a cheap parlor trick! My experience when I was a teen left a lot to be desired, so needless to say I was looking forward to seeing what the new and improved PSC had to offer.

It's been more than a decade, after all, and the centrum has been revamped, reworked, and is in a new location.

The tour started off with this lovely little device: The Finger Tingler. A big group holds hands and they electrocute you. Ta-dah! (Not to be used by people with pace-makers or expectant mothers.)

After that little ice-breaker, we got to go around and see the exhibits first-hand. They have a *lot* of things to look at (yes, that disappointing mirror is still there), and this funny ball thing was one of my favourites. You put your hands on it and it makes your hair rise! Oh my god, it's magicccc!!

My other favourite was this giant basin of soap and these huge wire bubble-makers. You grab hold of one and put yourself in a bubble. It may not seem like the most fun thing in the world when the bubble pops and you start spitting out suds, but trust me-- the photo op is worth it.

Another optical illusion, though one I found more fun than that blasted mirror. (I'm not bitter, why do you ask?) Doesn't it look like I'm a magical princess coming out of a giant chessboard? No? Boo.

What's a science center without this little electric ball? You can actually buy this at any novelty store and when I'm old and rich I'm going to have five of these in every room of my castle made of rainbows.

Me, JC, and Philos showing off our muscles!

This wasn't so much science as it was a peculiarly colorful exercise machine. See how our faces exhibit varying degrees of pain? Oh wait, that's just me. :(

Last but not least is a particularly awesome exhibit that reminded me of Star Trek, but the pictures I took of it were unremarkable. It was like an electronic harp that basically had lasers instead of string. If you put your finger where a laser was (therefor stopping the beam), you'd end up with a corresponding note. See device below:

Not too impressive in the photo I took, but I swear it's incredibly fun. :D

There were actually a lot more exhibits and fun things to see and look at, but I didn't have much time to take pictures because I was too busy making out with my boy in the mirror exhibits. ;)

The Philippine Science Centrum is located at the E-Com Bldg., Riverbanks Center , Barangka, Marikina City and their website can be found at: http://www.science-centrum.ph

You can contact them through the following numbers:
Tel. Nos.: 942-5136
Cel No.: 09156059031
Telefax: 942-5091

Admission fee is P90 per person, while children under 2 years old can get in completely free. I highly recommend this if you want to spend an afternoon looking at wonderful sparkly things (or if you're boring, you can spend it reading labels and understanding how these magical things actually work).

And by "science" we mean "magic"!