Last December 6, 2014, The Lifestyle Avenue along with some other bloggers were invited by the Riverbanks Center to visit the Museums for the Mind and Spirit and the Philippine Science Centrum. It is located in E-com Building, Riverbanks Center, Barangka, Marikina City, Philippines.
First stop is the Museums for the Mind and Spirit. It includes “The Spirit of Bethlehem” (A Private Belen Collection), “Museums of Miniatures” and “Joey Velasco Gallery.”
In the Joey Velasco Gallery, it shows the collection of paintings by Joey Velasco in which Jesus Christ is in all of his masterpiece except his first one, which is a painting of Mother Mary way back in 2005. The story behind the masterpiece is that he dreamed of Mother Mary so he decided to paint it and the rest is history.
Joey Velasco’s very first masterpiece
Hapag ng Pag-asa (The Table of Hope) Oil on Canvas 2005, 48 x92
During our visit in the gallery, they showed us a short film behind his most famous masterpiece, the “Hapag ng Pag-asa” (The Table of Hope) Oil on Canvas 2005, 48 x 92. Every child in the painting has a story. They are existing people. The short film really made me reflect about myself and the life I live. I really loved the short film they showed us. The visitors of the gallery should really watch the film. You will not appreciate the gallery the same way if you have seen the film.
Joey Velasco’s Palette
It is not just a painting, not your ordinary masterpiece. I feel that it was his calling and it was a message from Him. There is something about the painting that will try to get into you. It feels alive. You will not get the usual “wow’ feeling when visiting galleries. There is something more. And that is for you to find out and experience first hand. I believe it is beyond explanation.
Our next stop is “The Spirit of Bethlehem” and “Museum of Miniatures.” The Spirit of Bethlehem is a private collection of Gigi Abaya-Carlos consisting of over 500 belen/nativity from all over the world. Her very first belen was bought last 1952.
Just beside the The Spirit Bethlehem is the Museum of Miniatures. It is a tiny but real-looking replicas. Everything looks real! The miniatures is a collection of Aleli Vengue, she handcrafted everything and she just used scrap for it’s materials. I bet kids would love to see this museum.
Our last stop is in the “Philippine Science Centrum.” It has everything related to Science. They have 6 main highlights, “The Human Gyro” (which I personally tried. Yey!), Van De Graaff Generator, and more. They have seriously have a lot of cool stuff in there, kids and even adults will surely enjoy and learn at the same time. They have Head on a Platter (great for selfies!), Distorted Room, Colored Shadow, Frozen Shadow and more. You may check their website to find out more: http://science-centrum.ph.
Head on a Platter
The Museums for the Mind and Spirit is certainly a good place to visit this Christmas season, while the Philippine Science Centrum is the perfect place to bond with your family. Kids and adults will both enjoy and learn at the same time.
Additional Info:
Admission Fees: The Spirit of Bethlehem and Museum of Miniatures – General Admission Php 75/head, Senior citizens with ID 20% discount on regular fee, Teachers with ID is free. For the Joey Velasco Gallery – General Admission Php 100/head, Senior citizens with ID 20% discount on regular fee, Teaches with ID is also free.
Musuem Hours: Friday to Sunday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Open to Walk-ins and Group Tours. Monday to Thursday: Closed. Open to Group Tours of at least 50 people, with at least 3 days notice. You may call them for the holiday schedules.
Booking/Reservation: +632 570 0701 to 06 loc. 451
Philippine Science Centrum Admission Fee: Php 130.00 (Teachers with ID and 2 years old and below are free.) Operating Hours: Monday to Saturdays 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Contact Details: Tel +632 942 5136/942 4137
The Spirit of Bethlehem & Miniature Museum:
Web: http://riverbankscenter.com/learning-center/spirit-bethlehem
Web: http://riverbankscenter.com/learning-center/museum-miniatures
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/museumforthemindandspirit
Joey Velasco Gallery:
Web: http://riverbankscenter.com/learning-center/joey-velasco-gallery
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Joey-Velasco-Foundation-Inc
Philippine Science Centrum:
Web: http://riverbankscenter.com/learning-center/philippine-science-centrum
Leave Your Comments