Hello, Hivers! A week ago, I traveled to the Planetarium Pag-asa in El Salvador City and booked a lecture to experience what lies inside the big dome. This planetarium was built in May 2024, making it the first of its kind in Mindanao, which is a significant landmark for the entire region. I was curious and I want to go back to being a student and experience like in a school having a field trip. When I met the head of the facility he showed me the schedule and I chose to be with the elementary students field trip on the 24th of this month. I have to be early so that I can join them. The staff were very friendly.
Please note that they do not accept walk-in clients; you need to book and register in advance before visiting the facility. There is a minimal fee of 0.53 HBD, which includes a shoe cover to help maintain the cleanliness of the planetarium.
On the day of the 24th, I was filled with excitement and happiness, unaware of what awaited me inside the dome. As I arrived, I noticed many buses and groups of kids with their parents, all brimming with enthusiasm. Because there were large groups, they were divided into two sessions: the first group would enter at 9:00 AM, and the second group at 10:00 AM. I signed in first in their logbook and followed the first group, but I made sure to be the last in line to prioritize the children. You could see the excitement on their faces and in their actions as they eagerly anticipated what they would experience inside the dome. These students traveled from far away, covering a distance of 121 km to the Planetarium. They left Medina very early to arrive on time at the facility.
Before entering the main hallway, visitors are required to go through the lounge to review the house rules.
PLANETARIUM HOUSE RULES:
- PRE-BOOKING & REGISTRATION
- NO SMOKING
- NO WALK-INS
- AVOID LITTERING
- WEAR SHOE COVER
- NO FOOD OR DRINKS
- SILENCE MOBILE DEVICES
- AVOID USING FLASH WHEN TAKING PICTURES
- EMERGENCY EXITS
- ACCESSIBILITY
- SUPERVISE CHILDREN
- DO NOT TOUCH EXHIBITS
The children follow the teacher's instructions and form a line to enter the visitor's lounge for a short briefing on the house rules.
They are student staff assisting visitors and guiding them properly. They also provide foot covers to the visitors.
This student is trying to put on a shoe cover. The innocence of a child is genuine, and I am excited for them to visit the planetarium.
This is me also with the blue shoe cover.
The lecture was about to begin, and everyone settled down to listen to the lecturer. After the discussion, we all lined up again and exited the lounge, making our way down the hallway featuring pictures of pioneering astronomers worldwide. This hallway led to the mini theater. I thought we would watch a movie, but instead, we were invited to look up, as if gazing at the night sky. I was amazed; back in my school days, we didn't have such advanced learning facilities—just a library filled with many books.
In this new setting, I could see the stars, sun, planets, and constellations. Experiencing this made me feel like going back to studying astronomy. Science was my first love. When I was younger, I dreamed of becoming an astronaut because I wanted to explore outer space and fly to the moon.
Based on my experiences, I believe that children are the future. We should allow young kids to enjoy their childhood while providing them with valuable information to learn from. They are the hope of society and represent the positive change that can improve our world.
YOU HAVE TO WATCH THIS VIDEO:
As Mindanao's inaugural planetarium, this facility provides an unprecedented cosmic experience. Equipped with cutting-edge visualization and immersive multimedia technology, it invites visitors on breathtaking journeys through the universe, from distant galaxies to familiar constellations. The planetarium, showcased in a theater-style setting with a dedicated dome for astronomical presentations, also boasts recently acquired telescopes for live stargazing experiences.
By engaging visitors through interactive exhibits and enriching educational programs, the planetarium will ignite curiosity and nurture a culture of scientific exploration. This will not only contribute to the region's socio-economic growth but also celebrate Mindanao's rich scientific heritage. Beyond awe-inspiring astronomical displays, the planetarium will serve as a vibrant hub for research, education, and community outreach, aspiring to inspire future generations of astronomers and space science enthusiasts.
The facility is a theater primarily built for presenting educational and entertaining shows about astronomy and the night sky, as well as for training in celestial navigation.
This is the inside of the mini-theater where it could fit 50 people inside.
CONCLUSION
My visit to the Planetarium reignited my childhood curiosity about space. It was a powerful reminder of the wonders that exist beyond our planet. It is not only entertaining but also incredibly educational. And I am grateful they made this kind of mini-theater dome that is highly educational for all science students and the entrance fee is very affordable for everyone.
If you are from here in my place you can visit the facility, too.
BYE! See you!
Lead Image: Edited by Canva Edu Lifetime
Camera: Reno Oppo 7
All photos are mine unless otherwise stated
