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By Katrina Guevarra, Contributor
For the longest time, Filipinos can only enjoy a
close encounter with the many interesting creatures of the sea when
we go abroad. The nearest oceanariums are found in Hong Kong,
Malaysia, and Singapore. Times have changed and for the first time
in the Philippines, we have our very own Manila Ocean Park.
Located at the heart of Manila, the Manila Ocean
Park is set to be the city’s newest tourist attraction. It boasts
of 20,000 exotic and colorful fishes, mostly native to the
Philippines. “It will definitely add to the charm of the
Philippines, and this modern-day mega structure will surely draw the
crowds in,” says Philippine Tourism Authority Chairman Robert Dean
Barbers, adding, “The oceanarium will show how much the
Philippines have to offer when it comes to our underwater
attractions.”
We were lucky to be one of the very first
visitors to tour the oceanarium. The first part of the tour is
called the “Agos” wherein, one gets to see assorted freshwater
varieties set in a rainforest environment. The area has a very
outdoorsy effect and will truly jumpstart one’s anticipation of
the entire visual adventure. Before going to the second part, there
is a small pond wherein one can touch the varieties of starfish and
other species. Kids of all ages would definitely enjoy this
attraction.
But the best and most anticipated part of the
tour is the Buhay na Karagatan. It is a 20-feet acrylic underwater
walk-in tunnel-aquarium and activity center wherein one will be
surrounded by an array of different species. There are also
interactive devices that give information about the oceans
surrounding the Philippines and the different sea creatures. On the
second floor, visitors can experience a 15-minute fish spa courtesy
of the doctor fish.
Besides being a tourist destination, Manila
Ocean Park also thinks of its social responsibility by giving back
to the community where it was established. It has very strong
environmental advocacies and seeks to awaken public awareness with
regards to the environment.
The park is only on its first phase as there
would be other developments in the coming months. The whole concept,
when completed, will bring together the oceanarium with a shopping
mall and a boutique hotel—all in one compound. This would be
another breakthrough in the Philippines and in Asia Pacific as this
would be the first of its kind in the region.
As Senator Richard Gordon puts it, “This is
the name-changer of tourism in Manila.” I guess one should
experience it, to believe.
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