Lagawan

Yehey! Finally, I already visited the Manila Ocean Park. I’ve been planning on going to the park during the opening day but I wasn’t able to go ‘coz we all know that opening days are always jam packed so, I decided to go there 2-3 weeks after. But unfortunately, I was busy with things so I wasn’t able to go as well. But last week when my niece had her training in Tagaytay she spends 5days with us here in Manila, before going back to Bacolod. So when she asked me to go with her in Manila Ocean Park I said yes right away.

Well, Manila Ocean Park is open from 10AM until 9PM for a fee of Php400 for adults, Php350 for children (4ft and below) and a 20% discount for senior citizens. And, they also give special rates for field trips, company outing and big groups.

The first part in the Oceanarium is the AGOS. It’s a big area simulating a rain forest with a man-made falls. It has big aquariums that contain fresh water fish’s such as arapaima, piranha, and various types of crab. In this zone, there’s a Touch Pool, where you can have a hands-on experience interacting with the friendly residents, such as the blue-spotted stingray, starfish and sea cucumber.

Then after the Agos is the BAHURA. Bahura have 45 aquariums that contain saltwater fishes and crabs. Flash photography is not allowed in this area for it will give stress to the fishes as what the staff said.  In this area, you will find the most fascinating sea creatures in the Philippines, like the clownfish, Japanese spider crab, anemone and the arthropod.

After Bahura is LAOT (Fishing Ground). In this section you will find a giant grouper and a wide array of fish in the deeper waters of the sea.

Then it’s the BUHAY KARAGATAN Zone (The Living Ocean).  In this Area visitors will experience underwater life through a 25 meter-long tunnel that showcases various marine lives. Well, if you are lucky you will also see a diver feeding the fish’s here and sometimes cleaning the aquarium. I was a little disappointed in this area ‘coz I thought the 25-meter tunnel have a walkalator hehehe…  But aside from that the place is OK. It’s much bigger and nicer than the other Oceanarium I’ve been too.

Then after the tunnel is ANG KALALIMAN (The Deep), then the PAGI (Stingray) and the PATING Area. And I just remember my niece reading it in English like this paeting hehehe… But when she saw the sharks she realized that it’s a Tagalog word and it should be read as Pa-ting. Then you will see food stall at the corner.

Well after that up to the second floor where you can have a fish spa for only Php100. It’s a small pool where you can dip your feet while tiny fishes bite them. But if you love to move esp. children hehehe… the fishes will be died in an instant just kidding, but it’s a possibility right? And I almost forgot the shark; stingray feeding area is located here also. As well as the Restaurant and the Souvenir shop.

That’s it! As the park is not yet fully open, so all you will see is the oceanarium. The Boutique Mall, the hotel and the Open Water Marine Habitat where you can swim with the dolphins are said to open on August this year. Let’s just hope that it will happen. And if you want to know more about the Manila Ocean Park just visit their website or call them at +632-567-7777.

Enjoy!