A Museo Pambata Party

Who would think of holding a party in a museum? We all know how museums are like - no loud noises, hands off with all the display in the galleries and definitely extreme care must be observed when touring with children. Oh well, what if I say you can break all these rules and have a party in a museum?  

It's possible at Museo Pambata. The name itself suggests it's a children's museum showcasing exhibits that stimulate children's thinking and imagination.

There are 4 party venues at Museo Pambata: Multi-Purpose Hall (150 pax capacity), Karapatan Hall (120 pax seating capacity), Learning Room (180 pax seating capacity) and the Outdoor area. Amidst the busy schedule and last minute booking, my sister got lucky to be able to book the Multi-Purpose Hall.

Museo Pambata's multi-purpose hall is located outside the main museum, near the parking lot. It looks small from the outside but its 288 square meter size can easily seat up to 150 people. The front wall is fitted with floor to ceiling mirrors that create an illusion of extra space especially that the venue is rectangular and has pillars in the middle. It can be rented for 3 hours for a fee of Php15000. Renters may choose to add Php3000 (total rental cost of Php18000) to include 30 pcs of Museo Pambata's giveaway packs (coloring book, crayons, lanyard).

What's unique about having having a party at any of Museo Pambata's party venues is that there is a guided tour inside the museum for 50 of your guests. You can use the ticket as prize for the games, or for the early birds to your party.

For more details, please check their website. 

Museo Pambata Foundation, Inc.

Roxas Boulevard corner South Drive

Manila

Tel. Nos: 523-1797 to 98; 536-0595

Fax: 522-1246

Mobile No. (for Booking and Reservations) : +63 9183822212

Email: info@museopambata.org

Party Venue: Industria Marikina

I am excited to blog about Industriya Marikina although I haven't attended any events here. We had lunch at their posh restaurant and had the opportunity to view their events venue.

This impressive, fully air-conditioned venue that can accommodate from 150 up to 400 guests is located in the quiet neighborhood of Roxas Street in Calumpang, Marikina. The trip may be long and winding (but hey, just seek the help of Waze!) but it's all worth it.

Aiming for grand entrance to your debut? No problem. There are 2 staircase leading to the hall perfect for that precious moment. Oh did I mention that there's a suite room provided for the celebrant which leads to one of those staircases? 

Aside from the easy-to-decorate-venue (imagine all the swags you can put from that high ceiling), what's great about this venue is that it's FREE! Just avail of any of their menu packages starting at Php495 per head (minimum of 50pax) and you got yourself a beautiful party venue complete with buffet setup, tables and chairs and basic decorations according to your color motif.

As with the food, Industriya Marikina is a one of the most popular dining place in Marikina so just read up reviews and you be the judge. 

Note: Ample parking spaces are provided inside Industriya compound.

Industriya Marikina Restaurant and Events Place
23 M.A. Roxas Street
Calumpang, Marikina City
Tel No. 02-9048372

Party Venue: PBA Cafe

If you are looking for a venue for your sports-themed party, there is no place more perfect than PBA Cafe.

PBA Cafe (formerly Elbow Room) is a spacious bar and restaurant with 450-seating capacity (600 maximum). Diners can enjoy watching live basketball (and replays) games from the 50 television units installed all in all nooks and corners of the resto.

There are also 'pop-a-shot' stations that guests can enjoy for only Php5 per game. No drama for tokens. 

Not satisfied with pop-a-shot? Sweat it out some more in their half court which can be rented for only Php50 for a 12-minute game.

The resto-bar is not only perfect for sports themed parties. Rock Star kiddie celebrations will surely be a hit, too, as PBA Cafe as a nice setup stage complete with band equipment and impeccable sound system.

For small parties and private functions, PBA cafe has VIP rooms that could accommodate from 20 to 40 guests. Each room has a videoke system.

Governor's Room, good for 25 to 40pax, Table setup and elegant chafing dish are all by PBA Cafe

The large private room can be had for only Php18,000 of consumable food and drinks from their Ala Carte menu. This is already good for 6 hours exclusive use. What I did for my daughter's party was to I requested for the food I ordered from Ala Carte to be served in chafing dishes, buffet style. Note that 3 days advance order is required. 

For parties at the main hall or dining area, there are buffet packages to choose from or you can have your menu customized. They are very flexible with your requirements.


PBA Cafe 
2nd Floor, Metrowalk Commercial Complex, 
Meralco Avenue, Ugong, 
Pasig City
02 5858696
Open from 4pm to 2am

Kenny Rogers Roasters Parties and Celebrations

They are popular for their roasted chicken and lip-smacking, tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs but I seldom encounter friends who have attended a Kenny Rogers' birthday party. Suffice it to day, my impression is that parties are not yet their cup of tea.

But I guess I was wrong. Kenny Rogers' parties can readily compete in the kiddie party arena. In fact, because Kenny Rogers has a more extensive (and adult) menu compared to other fast food restaurants, they are also ideal for christening/baptismal receptions, seminars and other functions.

In fact, my sister chose Kenny Rogers' for my niece's first birthday celebration as she wants to balance good food (not fastfood) and a fun theme party for her daughter.

game prizes

Party amenities such as balloons, birthday banner, invites, name tags and party hosting are included in the Kiddie packages starting from Php9,400 for 30 kids. Adult meal packages are also available from Php280 per person. You may also opt to customize the meals.

Adult food is served buffet style while the kids get plated meals, not in styro which is more 'appealing'.

My sister was also allowed to bring our own cake (and serve it too) as well as setup a dessert counter.

They also have packages for baptisms that start from Php14,850 for 30 persons covering food and amenities (free use of function room, balloons, invitations, backdrop, giveaways and Thank You cards).

Overall, I would recommend Kenny Rogers as a party venue especially for practical mommies who want to serve good food both for adults and kids guests and still have a fun, party atmosphere. The only downside I can think of is they have limited branches that accommodate parties and also they don't have a mascot. 

Party Venue: Velada Estate

Tucked neatly in lower Antipolo City, and within the confines of Villa Cecilia Subdivision is a lovely venue that is perfect for weddings and debuts.

Velada Estate and Events Place is like a gem waiting to be discovered with it's beautifully designed and fully air conditioned pavilion called El Patio. 

half of El Patio

El Patio can accommodate up to 300 guests, accentuated with draped ceiling that added a romantic ambiance to the venue.

We were lucky there was a food tasting event ongoing (we just chanced upon) by Buffet Runners so the pavilion has tables and chairs setup.

El Patio's other half

Sample table setup of Buffet Runner. Cozy, simple and elegant.

For couples who prefer an outdoor reception or a garden wedding, El Fuenta is your perfect venue with 620 square meters of lush greens, a fountain and trellis. It is also right across El Casa which serves as VIP room and lounge for the wedding entourage.

This is La Casa which has a huge and cozy VIP lounge for your guests while waiting for the reception program. It also has a Bride's Room that can be used for wedding preparations and shoots. Velada Estate can include in the package the use of La Casa.

Now the cost. Velada Estate offers wedding and debut packages for 150 and 200 guests. They have partnered with select caterers for their packages. In my opinion, approximately Php250,000 for 200 guests is already fair especially if it includes the use the pavilion and full catering.

Should you wish to contract a non-accredited caterer, Velada will charge a 20% corkage fee. The venue rental is Php90,000 for 4 hours use of the pavilion.

For more details please visit their website.

Party Venue: One Cafe and Events Place

Many are unaware that modern function rooms and party venues are tucked within the tall office buildings in Ortigas Center. Take for instance One Cafe and Events Place which is strategically located at the 4th Floor of One Corporate Center along Julia Vargas Avenue.

The venue is fully airconditioned and equipped with basic sound system, projector (and screen) and stage. They also have 100% back up power in case of power interruptions.

This spacious and elegant function room can sit up to 400 people banquet style. For smaller parties, they can split the function room to fit 100 and 200 guests.

The great news about this venue is there's no need to seek for caterers. Cafe One caters exclusively for the events held at the venue at affordable packages. In fact, the venue rental could be waived for a minimum number of guests (depends on the function room).

Packages starts at Php385+ per person up to Php650+ per person with a minimum required pax of 60 if you are getting Function Room A (half of the area) and 150 for Function Rooms A and B (whole venue).

For more information, photos and details, check their website.

One Cafe and Events Place

4th Floor

One Corporate Center

Meralco Avenue cor Julia Vargas Avenue

Ortigas Center, Pasig

Tel. Nos. 6384472/6237551

Party Venue: The Mango Farm

Oftentimes lovely venues are found in the most unexpected places, and The Mango Farm is the best example. Who would ever think there is an amazing, large and romantic wedding venue inside the quiet private residential subdivision of Kingsville Court in Antipolo City?

Boasting of about 200 mango trees in its 2.5 hectares property, it's surely has more than just a function hall to offer. The ambiance is perfect for an elegant garden wedding or a debut of a princess.

photo linked from The Mango Farm website

There is also an air-conditioned venue for those who worry about the weather and prefer an indoor setting - The Glass Pavilion. Two hundred fifty (250) guests can sit comfortably its 400 square meter usable area.

photo from The Mango Farm website

VENUE ONLY RATES (Rates as of Jan 2016)

GARDEN Venue only (exclusive use for 7 hours; one event at a time) Number of guests NET Charge Overtime charge after 7th hour, or after 10PM Up to 200 P74,900 P7,490/hr plus P120/pax after the first 200 guests PAVILION (exclusive use for 7 hours) Number of guests NET Charge Overtime charge after 7th hour, or after 10PM Up to 200 P83,500 P8,350/hr Up to 250 P83,500 + 120/pax after the first 200 guests; overtime is 10% of net charge/hr - The above rates are applicable for any 7-hour block between 8AM and 10PM. NOTE:

Check out The Mango Farm blog and fall in love with the place through the actual photos of events hosted there.

Don't tell me I didn't warn you. You will LOVE this place.