Print this Article  |  Email to a Friend  |  Back

What do you get when, on a Sunday afternoon, you put six science geeks, a horde of sci-fi enthusiasts, hundreds of toy collectibles, and one out-of-this-world genre into the biggest and best interactive science museum in the country?

Why, not your average weekend, of course – at the first installment of SM Science Discovery Center's Cool Science Series titled Brave New Worlds!

Culminating with a resounding blast recently, visitors to its home base at the SM Mall of Asia were in for a treat of galactic proportions as fans of 'everything sci-fi converged to commemorate the ultimate gee-whiz question: Does science fiction !inspire science discoveries? Or do science discoveries prompt the creation of science fiction?

With the help of several of the biggest local science fiction and fantasy groups in the Philippines from New Worlds Alliance, the thought-provoking theme was a perfect icebreaker for novices and prominent science buffs to traipse exciting dimensions of existence without leaving the ground.

At the energon-fueled symposium moderated by Mango Jam magazine editor Karen Kunawicz, self-proclaimed science aficionados Quark Henares, 10-time Palanca awardee Dean Francis Alfar, math and science mentor Queena Lee Chua, literature professor Emil Flores, and Animax creative director and producer Tracy Wong :not only launched otherworldly spheres of insight from their ends of the spectrum – they were more than glad to share their geekiest secrets, too.

They told about embarking on secret adventures with Blade Runner and going Around The World in 80 Days with Jules Verne, and daydreaming about X¬Files' Agent Mulder.

Following the treknobabble, participants entered a neutral zone at the impressive display of collector's items from sci-fi greats like Star Trek, Transformers, Gundam, and other cult favorites. Cosplayers and die-hard fans, meanwhile, provided a visual boost by coming in the latest fashion dictates of their fantasy dimensions.

Take a shortcut to this symbiosis of science and science fiction at SM Science Discovery Center, where you can bring your mind for a ride at the movies of their fully equipped state-of-the-art Digistar Planetarium.

There are also themed galleries containing more than 400 amazing and interactive exhibits to what your appetite for the wonders of earth and beyond.

The SM Science Discovery Center is located at the SM Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City. Operating hours are from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.