A guitar fish smiles hi at Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park is finally open! I think this is one development project a lot of people are watching out for. It was slated to open last December in which I was worried at first due to the speedy development but then it moved to late February. Buddy Oggie invited me to come along since he got invites for the Partner’s Night pre-opening. He contributed some of his photos to be used for their interactive kiosk installation thus the free invites. The Oceanarium officially opened yesterday (March 1) and we now currently have the largest oceanarium in Asia. So prepare to be a kid again.
Title: Manila Ocean Park
Video and Editing: Ferdz Decena
Music: Offshore (Ambient Mix) by Chicane
Duration: 5:40
The park is only 60-70% finished, which you’ll see if you visit the place. And looking at their brochure map, it seems that only the right wing has been finished so far. The right wing is where the Oceanarium is located. Currently, only the 1st floor is open but already holds a lot of marine species endemic to our country and some imports like the giant electric eel which came from the Amazon itself. The complex also has a mall and the second floor would be an activity center.
A kid in amazement at the wonder tunnel
Even with the place still incomplete the oceanarium is already impressive and promises to be more spectacular when it’s finished. What I like about this is students and children would be able to actually see, be educated and appreciate our marine life more. I’m sure every child who goes in there will just be filled with amazement at the sights and sounds they’ll experience. In fact, the oceanarium already have about more than 2000 students booked for field trips there in the coming months. It’s great that we already have such attraction here in Manila so people would no longer have to go outside the country like Singapore to experience an oceanarium.
Adullts alike enjoying the Tunnel
I must admit that I really enjoyed the place. For one who loves snorkeling, the colors of these marine life is just more alive and vibrant here. It’s different seeing them at the ocean but seeing them here, all the details will just blow your senses. You’ll really appreciate how beautiful our planet and ocean is with these colorful marine creatures populating them. This place will really bring out the kid in you and fill you with fascination and learning.
Oceanarium entrance dome of Manila Ocean Park
The Manila Ocean Park is located behind the Quirino Grand Stand in Luneta Park, Manila. Admission price is PHP 400/ Adults and PHP 350/ kids. Manila residents gets 10% discount and Senior Citizens discount also applies. Operating hours is from 11am to 9pm. For details, you may also call (632) 567-7777.
Ferdz Decena is an award-winning travel photographer, writer and blogger. His works has found print in publications such as Singapore Airlines’s Silver Kris, Philippine Airlines’ Mabuhay, Cebu Pacific’s Smile and Seair InFlight. He has also lent his expertise to various organizations like the Oceana Philippines, Lopez Group Foundation, Save the Children and World Vision, contributing quality images for their marketing materials.
