Visiting the Paglaki Ko Room at Museo Pambata

I missed the launching of the Paglaki Ko Room (When I grow up I want to be...) of the Museo Pambata in April. Nonetheless, I was able to visit the career options area of Museo Pambata last Saturday during the Batang Bayani series launch. Earlier today, the PBBY board made a quick tour right after its monthly meeting. Nina Lim Yuson, the gracious host, allowed us to be kids again.



It's an interactive area, as every thing else at Museo, of course! The walls cover a mystery-investigatory approach to knowing the writers and illustrators featured in the exhibit. The comics on the wall is very engaging. Sadly, I failed to ask Nina or Teacher Noreen the artist who made them. The room is littered with curiosities from the featured writers and illustrators, memorabilia, quotable quotes and their definitive masterpieces.


Larry Alcala's Slice of Life was an inspiration that allows visitors to look for well loved Pinoy children's book characters.


And definitely, Jose Rizal's The Monkey and the Turtle earned a space in the exhibit.



My daughter Zoe enjoyed the area where creative play and theatrics were encouraged. She wore the Ibong Adarna head dress cum wings.



The Paglaki Ko Room is the first interactive museum that features Filipino writers and illustrators who've made a mark in Philippine Children's Literature. Jose Aruego, Albert Gamos, Jo-Ann Bereber, Beth Parrocha, Robert Alejandro and Kora Dandan Alabano are the featured illustrators. Augie Rivera, Rene Villanueva, Dr. Luis Gatmaitan, Carla Pacis and Russell Molina and Rhandee Garlitos are the writers who made it to the esteemed list.

Paglaki Ko Gusto Ko Maging Manunulat o Illustrador ng Kabataan

The Paglaki Ko Gusto Ko Maging Manunulat o Illustrador ng Kabataan Room (When I grow Up I Want to be a Writer or Illustrator for Children) of the Museo Pambata gets good PR. Read it here. Ronald Lim did a good job on writing the piece.

Paglaki Ko Gusto Ko Maging Manunulat o Illustrador ng Kabataan

Great news from Museo Pambata! It's an indication that Philippine Children's Literature is an established and flourishing industry. Museo Pambata will launch a new interactive room/center where kids can explore and discover their writing and illustrating talents through the activities about premier Filipino writers and illustrators for kids.

Museo Pambata and some friends (PBBY included) worked together to choose and create a short list of 6 children storybook writers and 6 illustrators to feature and include in the exhibits for the theme room.

The chosen writers are:

1. Rene O. Villanueva

2. Augie Rivera

3. Luis Gatmaitan

4. Rhandee Garlitos

5. Carla Pacis

6. Russell Molina

The chosen illustrators are the following:

1. Albert Gamos

2. Ruben de Jesus

3. Jo Anne Bereber

4. Jose Aruego

5. Robert Alejandro

6. Beth Parrocha

The room will be housing exhibits that present:

1. The type of intelligences writers and illustrators have (Theory of Multiple intelligences – Howard Gardner and Right Brain-Left Brain Theory)

2. Writers and illustrators discussing their sources of inspiration and ideas

3. The tools of trade/gadgets used and simulated work place/area

4. Samples of first manuscripts, journals, sketch pads, drawing studies, printing templates

5. Original/digitized artworks (from published works)

6. Distinction/recognition/awards

*For the writer’s corner, the interactive activities include children putting together words that complete the story text in a particular drawing.

**Other fun exhibit modules include a clothes rack where children can dress-up as characters in the storybooks as well wear headdresses of famous characters in the book.

*** There would also be a special display area for the 25 best loved characters in Philippine Children’s literature.

In the room, there would also be a tree serving as the reading area where various storybooks for children are displayed for the children to explore, read and enjoy. Making this new room possible are Adarna, Cacho, OMF, Anvil, Lampara Books and Philippine Board on Books for Young People.