It was a fun-filled event that happened last week at the SM Mall of Asia’s Science Discovery Center, now called the Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center as Nido Fortified milk has partnered with SM to promote improved science learning among children.

It was also a star-studded morning event, and spotted were Regine Tolentino and her two daughters, Jackielou Blanco and her daughters too, Ian Veneracion and two kids, Yayo Aguila and kids, Mariz Rickets and daughter, Dyan Castillejo, Paolo and Suzi Abrera (who were the hosts of the program) and their children. It was a delight looking at all the kids (and even the adults) enjoy the one-of-a-kind learning experience offered at the 3,000-sq.m., two-level facility. The center houses nine walk-through galleries, many of which contain interactive stations that enhance visitor experience.

Said Raymund Maclang, AVP for Operations of SM Family Entertainment Center, Inc., “Here at the Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center, we put the fun in learning through our interactive and entertaining galleries.”

One of these galleries is the Smart Media City, which can be found at the first level. It features the “Gesturetek,” where players can interact with and move around various 3D virtual environments using simple body movements.

Another gallery is the popular Grossology station, where kids can learn about the ways and quirks of the human body. Here they’ll enjoy the hands-on experience of “operating” on a mock human body in the Patients Please Section, minus the blood.

Interactive fun at the Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center contunies at the Transportation Nation. You can build your own virtual car at its kiosks, or try landing a plane in its flight simulators. Graphic panels also display video presentations of the history of various modes of transportation.

Kids love robots, and the Robots Inc. Gallery showcases the best of these technological wonders. Graphic panels and replicas of some of the most famous robots in history are on display here. Kids also get to play with the remote-controlled “slambots” at the Robo-test section.

Right next to the robots is the City Science Gallery. Scale models of the world’s tallest building line up its big walls. It also features an earthquake simulation room, where visitors will get to experience how the ground shakes in the middle of an earthquake.

The Webcam Wall section at the end of the City Science Gallery has several screens of video presentations on the world’s major cities.

The upper level also houses the Virtual Reef. Guests walk through an artificial coral reef that mimics the scenes of life underwater. Towards the end of the gallery, they’ll meet the talking virtual fish, Mr. T, who’s ready to take on your questions about life in the sea.

The main attraction of the Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center is the DigiStar Planetarium. Short films are shown on its 360-degree dome, the most advanced of its kind in the country. The DigiStar Planetarium can seat 160 people inside its theater-like dome.

Finally, there’s the latest addition to the Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center: The Gravitram. The exhibit is a nice example of artistic engineering where gravity meets human design.

The Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center is located at the south side of the mall’s Entertainment Bldg.and is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

By the way, speakers during the program included Hans Sy, Nandu Nandkishore, Raymund Maclang and Dr. Josette Biyo, director of the Phil. Science High School in Iloilo.

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Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista leads Lumina opening rites

Former child actor now Quezon City Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista (who’s expectedly eyeing the mayorship of the city in the coming elections) led the recent launch and formal inauguration of Lumina Skin and Surgicenter, the newest name in the derma and cosmetic surgery business located along Timog Ave. (inside Auto Trend, near GMA-7).

With him at the ceremonial ribbon-cutting were brothers Rowell and Randy Santiago, and the officers of Lumina, Joel Paguio and Joyce Dee, Christine Escudero, Mia Ayesa and Manuel Chua.

Lumina, which prides itself in a highly-trained medical staff composed of certified dermatologists and licensed surgeons who perform every procedure undertaken in the clinic, offers a complete range of dermatological and cosmetic surgery services, using the only latest in eLos Technology and the much sought-after eMax Machines – at the most affordable rates in the metro today.

Other services offered are Thermage, Laser Hair Removal, I.P.L. to remove signs of age, Acne Blue Light and virtually all Dermatology (such as Botox, IV Glutathione, Meso-Lipo, Face and Body Peels) and Cosmetic Surgery (Noselift, Breast Augmentation, Tummy Tuck, Liposuction) procedures.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for June 5, go to Mrs. Carmeling Crisologo, designer/columnist Rikki Jimenez, Maria Paz Mendoza-Santiago, Bingboy Valera, Florida-based former rock singer turned diver instructor JL G. Concepcion, Tita Gutang, Dr. Nelly R. Ledesma, Charina Tupaz, Richard Gonzalez, Dr. Margarita Holmes, Judy Kwan, Norma P. Tugbang of Barotac, Jiejo, Iloilo who turns 70 years old today, Dr. Leilani Mercado Asis of UST and Infant Jesus Hospital, and awarded actor Baron Geisler…Happy wedding anniversary to Rudy and Lorie Lizardo of New Jersey, USA… Far Eastern University-ILS Batch 1977-1981 will soon be having a reunion. Those concerned can e-mail Norman Perez at noopee64@yahoo.com. or Noriel Cayanan at norieltc@yahoo.com for details...