MANILA OCEANARIUM 2009

The Manila Ocean Park ( MOP) is an oceanarium at the back of Quirino grandstand in Manila . It is owned by China Oceanis Philippines Inc., a subsidiary of China Oceanis Inc., a Singaporean-registered firm that has operated four oceanariums in China .

There is also a hotel called H20, restaurants, souvenir shops and a place to find relaxation and watch the famous Manila bay sunset.

garoupa – lapu-lapu

Operating Hours

Manila Ocean Park is open from 10am – 9pm, Mondays through Sundays. Special tours may be requested and booked earlier than tour schedules.

Entrance Fee

The Entrance Fee for adults is PHP400 (approximately US$10) and PHP350 (approximately US$9) for children.

Security Checks

Everyone entering the Park is subject to a security check. Bags, parcels and/or items shall undergo inspection before entry.

Photography 

Flash photography is not allowed as this scares the marine animals. Photography, videotaping, recording of any kind, broadcast or transmission for commercial purposes is not allowed.

Guests with Special Needs

Guests of Manila Ocean Park requiring special assistance can bring their own wheelchairs to the Park. Guests bringing in small children may be allowed to use their strollers inside the Oceanarium. A limited number of wheelchairs and strollers may be rented for a nominal fee at the entrance.

Personal Conduct

Interactive kiosks and projections, as well as educational materials and other equipment, have been installed within the Manila Ocean Park to enhance the learning experience. Guests are free to use the equipment under minimal supervision; however, it is expected that care shall be taken during its use.

First Aid 

First Aid Stations are available at the front desk and second floor activity center.

The Manila Ocean Park is located behind the Quirino Grandstand, in Luneta, Manila. 

For more information, contact +(632) 567.7777 and +(632) 567 2309

(oct 13 2009)

PACEM ECO-PARK 2009

PACEM is a short acronym for Peace And Care For Earth Ministry . The PACEM Eco-Park was established in 1994 inside Assumption College in Antipolo City as a place for retreat and a rescue center of both animals and plants.

Assumption College – Antipolo entrance arch

There was an aviary and eagles were on the ground not in a cage! There was even a big bird,the Cassowary, monkeys,deers , bantam chicken , silky chicken, native chickens, Kabir chicken, parrots, parakeets, snake , pigeon, bear cats a walk through butterfly garden.There’s also an herb garden, a big fountain and fish pond with kois in it.

It has a trail that you have to go to in order for you to check the whole place and the animals can be pet like the snakes , rabbits and exotic birds. It was a breath of fresh air in the city after a nights work in an enclosed work place confined to a cubicle, talking to people half way accross the globe….

collection of preserved beetles

There is also a fine collection of mounted butterflies from different parts of the globe , shell collection, insect collection like mounted walking sticks, beetle, moths , flies , dragon flies etc… According to the guide this was mostly donated by private individuals, DENR Region IV rescued animals, who donated their collections to the center. The center served as a rescue center for all the live plants and animals.

collection of butterflies from Asia

There is also an audio visual center where a short film regarding nature was shown to the group.

stick insect

The staffs and the crew were very friendly and had given the members of the Philippine Orchid Society tour group a special discount when the group visited the place last September 19, 2009

a gaggle of geese

In return the organization through POS president Mr. Carlos Valeriano C. Lazaro donated a healthy Aerides quinquivulnera to the manager of the center.

The center had a small Orchidarium area where various orchids like Dendrobium anosum, Dendrobium aphyllum , Hoyas , native ferns , Cattleya hybrids, Dendrobium hybrids , Vanda Hybrids are gown and nurtured by the staffs. The center accepts donated plants and orchids.

Various components of PACEM Eco-Park, such as the Eco-Center, the Wildlife Sanctuary, the Butterfly Garden, are open for visits as follows :

From Monday to Friday, from 8.00am to 3.30pm

On Saturdays from 8.30am to 12.00noon.

For inquiries pls write or call:

********PACEM*********

Center for Peace and Ecology

Assumption Antipolo

Sumulong Highway, Antipolo City

Tel.(+63-2)696-3274 or 697-2354

(original publish date on WP @september 23,2009)