We learned eye-foot coordination playing sipa. We trained for speed trying to outrun the taya in taguan. And we developed strength and flexibility catching the ball in "futbol" and jumping over that four-feet-high Chinese garter.
Back then, you would only find the kids in front of the TV on Saturday mornings, which was the only time in the week the cartoons were on: Justice League, Tom & Jerry, Smurfs (yes, those same Smurfs, but 2D), or every '80s kid's favorite educational shows: Sesame Street, and the locally-produced Batibot. Every other waking hour was spent outdoors, telling stories with friends and occasionally running to the neighborhood sari-sari store to buy whatever your P.50 could afford (there was a lot). Yes, life was way simpler decades ago.
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These days, the exact opposite is true. Kids are always glued to their devices and can't be bothered to go out. They feel awkward tackling chores because they're not used to using their hands other than for swiping the iPad screen. Their socialization skills are minimal, and most of their friends are online. We may not realize it, but a lot of these problems stem from the lack of options to engage in physical activity.
It is realizations like these that make one thankful for indoor playgrounds and trampoline places in and around Metro Manila. For residents in the South, Bounce Philippines is the go-to place.
Owner Mark Hogsden, a British national, says the first time he ever heard about a trampoline place was from a conversation he had with his son many years back.
"First time I heard of a trampoline place was in the U.K. My youngest son begged me to bring him there, so we went one day and it was fully-booked, and we had to book three weeks in advance before we could get in.
"When we got there I thought ‘Wow! This place is really, really good!’ And we both enjoyed it so much because I was able to participate with my kids in this activity."
He brought the concept to the Philippines, and after several years and a rebranding, he put up Bounce with a renewed interest for play innovations.
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As a dad himself, Mark could not stress enough the importance of safety in play places like Bounce, that's why they ensure they do the best they could, from the moment the customers step inside the facility.
Each customer is asked to register upon entry, and is given a pair of grip socks to wear inside to prevent slip-ups. At the Training Zone, each one is required to watch a short, but graphic, animated safety video that explains the rules one must follow while inside the bounce area to avoid accidents and injuries. This message is verbally reinforced by their training staff at the end of the video, as do their staff on the bounce area itself.
And while Bounce always has a medical staff on duty, there's a Medical City satellite clinic being constructed next door, so should a customer require urgent medical attention, it can be available right away.
Security in the 900-square-meter facility is closely monitored with 21 strategically-placed CCTV cameras, and the entire place is also equipped with a sprinkler system.
With your mind at ease, it's easier to have fun at the different play areas at Bounce: There's one for kids 1 to 5 years old, a bounce battle beam, and a gymnast training area.
There's a dodgeball and volleyball zone, wall climbing, airbag, a basketball area, and a ninja course.
For special celebrations, there's a party area you can use for a fee.
The kids are sure to have so much fun, they won't need their gadgets except to take photos to capture those moments. Parents can look forward to a full body workout, too. Best of all, Bounce is an activity parents can do and enjoy together with their kids.
"When you have parents joining their kids [on the bounce area], it makes a very unique bonding experience, and I think that’s very, very special," Mark says.
Bounce Philippines is located at the Ground Floor of South Tower, SM Southmall, Almanza Uno, Las Piñas City.
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