Pawikan Conservation Center Bataan

We dropped by the Pawikan Conservation Center Bataan on our way to Las Casas de Acuzar.  

The center's volunteers help in the conservation of "Pawikans (or Sea Turtles)" by patrolling the shore and watching the turtle eggs hatch to ensure they are same from predators.

The center is also home to injured "Pawikans", rescued from sea.  Rescued "Pawikans "are treated here and rehabilitated until they are strong enough to go back to their habitat.

With P50, visitors may “adopt a baby turtle” for release back to the sea.  

Bataan Tourism
Pawikan Conservation Center, Nagbalayong, Morong
Mobile: +63917 6716995
Landline: (047)237-4785
Website: http://bataan.gov.ph/tourism
Email: bataan_tourism@yahoo.com
Facebook: bataan.tourism

VIP Treatment at the Magaul Bird Park

A quick detour to Subic Bay on our way to Las Casas Bataan 

 (See related post here Las Casas de Acuzar Bataan Tour) led us to Magaul Bird Park.  

Magaul Bird Park is a birds' amusement park with shows and interaction programs located inside Subic Bay's Jungle Environment Survival Training (JEST) Camp.  This camp is known for its jungle survival training programs. 

The park was named after Magaul a magical, mythical bird also known as "Sarimanok". It is said to bring good luck to anyone able to catch it. It is also bird that pecked the bamboo from where "Malakas and Maganda" were born from. 

When we visited the park, CHED has just recently issued a moratorium suspending off campus activities including field trips in the country, following a deadly school field trip bus crash leaving about 15 students dead.

This left the Jest Camp almost without visitors (due to cancellation of scheduled field trips)  ~ we literally had the park all to ourselves (yup like VIPs).

Entrance to the Magaul Bird Park costs P350, inclusive of park tour, jungle survival demonstration and the bird show.

There are two (2) shows scheduled at 11:00 am and 1:30 pm on weekdays with an additional show at 4:00 pm on weekends.

Most of the birds we saw were inside cages, though there were a handful of ducks and peacocks running freely.

We love this little guy the most,  we were just passing by, when he made a ruckus that made us come back.  Our assigned tour guide, was so nice, we gave us bird seeds to feed this guy.  

We got to enjoy the Bird Show a lot, as we were the only ones there.  We got to take part in every portions of the show. We were the ONLY Volunteers (Lol)!!!  

After the bird show, we went to see a Jungle Survival Demonstration.  Our instructor showed us how to extract water from tree vines, make kitchen utensils from bamboo and start a fire without matches.  

Starting a fire without matches (with nature's resources).

Our instructor making stuffs using bamboo looks so easy, NAH!

Water taste good actually.

This experience, taught me that in a Zombie apocalypse,  I won't last a night in the jungle and would probably be left in the city as Zombie food. 

FINAL VERDICT

• A trip to Magaul Bird Park as VIPs is a truly wonderful experience. We were attended to literally like royalties. It was cool to have the park to ourselves. 
• The place is perfect for families with young school age children.  It is a good place to teach about love for nature and environment. 
• We have been to bird parks and zoos outside the country, the best one being the Singapore Zoo and Jurong Bird Park in Singapore. Although, Magaul Bird Park failed in comparison, the effort and determination to educate the public, especially the children the love for nature cannot be downplayed.   
• There are plenty of activities inside the park, that will certainly keep both kids and adults entertained such as: Angry Bird play area, Winged Wonders Bird Show, Brunch with Birds, Goliath Swing and Kiddie Rappelling.

Magaul Bird Park 

 Jungle Environment Survival Training Camp
Upper Mau, Cubi-Triboa, Subic Bay Freeport Zone,
Zambales, Philippines

For questions and inquiries

Email: adventure@jestcamp.com

Phone: Telefax: 63 47 252 1489

Smart: 639088207048
Sun: 639228832763
Globe: ‎639770938435

Website: www.magaulbirdpark.com

Business Hours: 8.30 am – 5.00 pm Everyday

PRESS RELEASE: Subic Grand Hoyah Hotel

There are plenty of hotels inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, and one hotel that stands out because of it's professional and friendly staff, chic & fun KTV, affordable Spa and to speak-of restaurant ~ with custom made Shabu Shabu embedded gas range is Subic Grand Hoya Hotel.

This  four storey boutique hotel is conveniently located in central business district of Subic Bay Freeport Zone, near all the best places to go to, such as: duty free shopping, motorized Ziplines family extreme fun at Tree Top Adventure and one the country's best theme park, Zoobic Safari with white lions and the only tiger Safari in the Philippines.

The Subic Grand Hoyah Hotel offers world class facility . Guests are treated to a unique atmosphere, complimented with the gracious hospitality and personalized service of our warm staff.  It is good choice for family, business partners and  leisure travelers.

ACCOMMODATION

Subic Grand Hoyah Hotel offers 40 spacious rooms (Deluxe Twin Rooms Superior King Room Deluxe King Room Family Deluxe Room Family Suite Room). 


RESTAURANT

 

At the right side of the lobby is the restaurant that can cater up to 100 people. The complimentary breakfast is something to look forward to with different kinds of juices and coffee selections. The Shabu Shabu is beyond the standard. All ingredients are selected by the Subic Grand Hoyah Hotel to prove the magnificent dining experience.

 

SPA AND MASSAGE

Grand Hoyah Hotel offers an international standard Spa and Massage services from experts and professionally trained therapist while on stay in the hotel. The Grand Hoyah Hotel KTV Relaxing and fun KTV rooms with 55 inches screens at Subic Grand Hoyah Hotel.

From VIP Rooms that caters for two persons to bigger and wider for groups and parties.  

If you are looking for an affordable hotel with first an extra-mile service in Subic, check out the Subic Grand Hoyah Hotel.

For more information: http://www.subicgrandhoyahhotel.com

Subic Grand Hoya Hotel is located along Canal Road, Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Subic Bay (the Beach)

A stroll along Subic beach by the Waterfront Road, together with the mandatory Post Exchange (PX) goods shopping are agenda regulars, whenever we visit Subic.

 

 

It has been a while since our last trip here and I was honestly a bit sad to see how dirty the beach shore line has become

(visitors have been literally trashing the beach - bad! bad!).  

 

  

On the east side of the beach now rise restaurants and establishments that has taken away most of the beach front, previously meant for leisurely beach strolls.  Visitors would have to cram on whatever is left of the beach (or pay extra to get a good view from one of the expensive restaurants along the beach shoreline...haiz!)

 

 

There was a sign that says "NO SWIMMIMG".  Obviously we know why.

 

 

My boys managed to get a cleaner portion of the beachfront and striked Ninjago poses to celebrate.

Sorry, no swimming guys :(

 

 

 

 

Bayfront Hotel Subic

We initially made reservations at the Grand Hoyah Hotel (given the very good net reviews 4/5 it has received) for this unplanned Subic trip. Ordinarily we book trips way ahead of schedule, however, this one was quite a last minute decision (booked on a thursday night for a saturday trip).

We booked via GHH's official website.  Booking via net was a breeze, or so we thought. Grand Hoyah called us friday night to inform us of some airconditioning problems on the room we reserved (although it sounded more as a mix up - double booking perhaps!).

Really traggic, as this is the first time ever, that this happened to us. Normally we would get additional discounts or room upgrades on accommodations! It was really a ngarag moment this time around.

Grand Hoyah did made efforts to transfer us to another hotel.

We were booked at the Bayfront Hotel located facing Subic Waterfront.

As a seasoned traveller, I hurriedly looked up net reviews of this hotel. I was honestly a disappointed to see a 2.5/5 rating.

 

Well I thought it was too late to fuss now.  I just prayed this doesn't ruin our stay.

 

True to the reviews on the internet, the hotel is quite small.  There is a pool, but I don't know if its clean so we did not bother swim.

My son at the hotel lobby

We were biletted in a deluxe room. The room is basic with very little area for my boys to run around.

Our small room

 

The window opens to a terrace with a view of the Seafood by the Bay restaurant (which entirely blocks the view of Subic bay)

 

Despite the room size, pool issues and blocked bayview, we saw the owner's effort to keep the place clean (I  tried hard to smell the old hotel smell some reviewers mentioned, but nada) and homey.

 

We also noticed on-going refurbishing and repainting (I did not see the peeling wall paints and the watermarks on the ceiling that netizens complained about, room aircondition working and almost near freezing). 

 

Breakfast was buffet set up and varied (nothing special really, but we ate well).

 

Staff were attentive and very nice. Service very efficient.

 

We were equally happy with the location and its close proximity to the Waterfront Boardwalk.  We went to the beach twice (quite sad that the beach front was littered with garbage though) due to my kids consistent prodding.  The morning beach stroll was the highlight of this Subic rendevous and was a good bonding moment with the kids!

 

Overall, we were satisfied with our Bayfront Hotel stay (deserving of a second chance).