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By Kendrick Go
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Summer is
here and the allure
of the sea, above and below the
waves, calls out to every Filipino. |
As people of an archipelago, the wonders of the
ocean are part and parcel of the heritage of every Filipino. Keeping
this in mind, it’s no wonder why year after year, summer after
summer, people flock to the beaches to partake in the beauty and
spectacle that the ocean has to offer.
From enjoying water sports to diving beneath the
surf to witness the underwater world which is inherently our
own—lucky are those who experience it first hand, city slickers or
probinsyanos alike. Azure and dynamic, from above and below the
waves, the “deep blue” is alive and teaming with life and awaits
your discovery!
Did you know that the Philippines has one of the
richest marine ecosystems in the world home to around 2,824 species
of fish and 300 species of coral. Unfortunately, due to the
destruction of their habitats most of these fish have been
classified as endangered. So imagine if you can see most of these
beautiful creatures in one place. Well there is no need to imagine
with the soft opening of the Manila Ocean Park last March 1. The
oceanarium, which promises to be the newest tourist landmark in the
Metro, is already attracting crowds.
A showcase of marine diversity
The oceanarium built by a joint venture of
Malaysia and Singapore aims to educate as well as showcase the
country’s rich marine ecosystems. It contains 200 fish species,
which in keeping with its goal of conservation only features captive
bred fish. Overall, the oceanarium hopes to convey two messages.
First, is that the country is very rich in marine resources; in fact
we have some of the richest seas in the world. Second, we must take
a more active approach in the preservation of these resources. The
Philippines belongs to the “Coral Triangle” which also includes
parts of New Guinea, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The Coral Triangle is
known as an “epicenter of marine life abundance and diversity.”
According to studies, it is home to roughly 75 percent of all coral
species known to science. It has more than 3,000 species of reef
fish and commercially valuable species. Six of the world’s seven
species of marine turtles are in it. It is also home to migratory
whale sharks and manta rays, and marine mammals, including 22
species of dolphins.” The richness of coral, fish and other
species is so high that the region is sometimes referred to as the
‘Amazon of the Seas,’” according to the WWF website.
A world class tourist destination
The oceanarium located behind the Quirino
Grandstand promises to be a world-class facility surpassing
Singapore’s Sentosa. “Sentosa is 6,000 square meters while this
one is 8,000 square meters,” said Manila Ocean Park president Lim
Chee Yong What really separates it from other oceanariums in the
world is the “fusion” concept applied to it. When completed it
will have a marine themed shopping mall and boutique hotel. There
will also be a park. For snorkeling enthusiasts the two Open Water
Marine Habitats will give them a realistic snorkeling experience
without even leaving the city. But, its main attraction has to be
the 25-meter long, 220 degree curved acrylic walkway tunnel. The
tunnel allows visitors a truly up-close view of the fish without
getting wet. The Oceanarium is divided into six sections and each
section will carry a Filipino name: “Agos”; “Bahura”;
“Buhay na Karagatan”; “Pating”; “Ang Kailaliman”; and
“Laot”. The sections will feature indigenous species from the
country and the rest of Southeast Asia in their particular habitats.
Creating awareness
To further underscore its commitment to help
educate the public about marine conservation the partnered with the
World Wildlife Fund. The partnership will focus on complementing the
oceanarium with permanent and occasional exhibits showcasing the
importance and diversity of marine species, and the relationships
between ecosystems and humans. Also, the WWF would give the MOP
information to be used in exhibits and digital information kiosks
creating a “digital library” The oceanarium is open 10 a.m. to 9
p.m. Mondays through Sundays. The entrance fee is P400 for adults
and P350 for children.
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