Happy with our cost efficient options

Instead of the normal weekend routine of staying at home surfing the net or watching missed TV Series and playing with my little girl, we left the house at around 2:30 pm today to check out Kaluoka 'Hina- the new planetarium feature of SM Science Discovery Center.

We rarely go out as a family on weekends since we realized that spending our weekend at home and maximizing bonding time with the family is one way to cut down on our monthly expenses. We can save an average of 8000 pesos for every month of not going to the mall (taking into historical considerations that when we go to the mall,we buy snacks/meals and be tempted to buy "something" as well)

Today was an exception as we got free invites to watch the advance screening of Kaluoka and took this as an opportunity to learn about science in SM Science Discovery Center. Good thing that after the advance screening, cocktails were served and had our snacks for free instead of spending it in nearby fastfood joints. We found out as well upon chatting with others during the cocktails that it was also the last World Olympic Pyro Show night and decided that after watching Kaluoka'Hina, we will catch the Pyro Olympics to maximize our stay in Mall of Asia (MOA)

We finished in Science Discovery Center 5ish pm. Upon learning that the first Pyro show will be around 7:30pm, we decided to stroll along the mall and do some errands - pay my Globe bill, buy EQ diaper of my little girl in SM Hypermarket which has long been out of stock in our nearby supermarket - Shopwise.

I was a bit overwhelmed by a lot of people strolling in MOA. Based on my personal assumption and observation, after the Glorietta bombing, other people opted to frequent MOA rather than Glorietta mall or maybe these people wanted to catch the last night of the Pyro Show just like us.

As we were about to have early dinner at around quarter to 7, we were shocked to see that the seaside deck of the mall was closed to the general public. Only those with buffet reservation or show ticket can access the restricted area. The regular ticket costs P150 per head while buffet in seaside area restos would cost about P1000 per head. This was a smart move for MOA management - to maximize every profit generating opportunity and charge a fee for those wanting to catch the Pyro Show nearby.

For us who are trying to save as much as we can, we find these expenses unnecessary as we can still view the said pyro show elsewhere. We decided to drive to Macapagal avenue and instead of spending P600 for entrance tickets, we decided to spend it for our dinner in Gerry's Grill Blue Wave. While driving, we saw lots of cars trying to work their way around MOA to get the best view possible of the Pyro Show. I realized that Filipinos are smart and innovative in their own little ways. Some people brought along mats and had an instant picnic in the open ground near MOA. Others parked their cars along the various roads near MOA. Some brought "take out" meals and ate their dinner in their cars while waiting for the next Pyro Show (Four countries were slated to do Fireworks exhibit through the night with 30 minutes interval after the first display on 730pm).

Good thing the weather cooperated through the night and when the show started most people in Blue Wave restaurants opted to dine outside and watched the magnificent firework display while eating. =) I felt so happy with our cost efficient options through the day. We ended up paying less than our regular weekend getaway expenses. =)