Ocean Park Manila

 

I accompanied my four year old son during his school Manila Ocean Park (MOP) field trip last November 2012.

 

The park boasts numerous atractions, which will surely keep your kiddos busy and occupied ~ you would be begging your child to leave, when it is time to go home.

 

The park has 15 Attactions:

1. Oceanarium
2. Trails of Antartica
3. Aquanaut Voyage
4. Shark Encounter
5. Jellies Exhibit
6. Fish Spa
7. Glass Bottom Boat Ride
8. Revolution - Musical Fountain Show
9. Marine Life Habitat
10. All Star Bird Show
11. FantaSea
12. Penguin Talk Show
13. Bird of Prey Kingdom
14. Back of the House
15. Swimming

Since we were there for a school field trip  ~ we were only able to see:  the Oceanarium, Trails of Antartica, Jellies Exhibit and the Penguin Talk Show (which was a big hit with the kids). 

 

 

THE OCEANARIUM

 

Welcome to the Oceanarium :D

Sorry, camera flashes strictly prohibited inside the Oceanarium..

 

 

Posing with the sharkies :P

 

 





There is an activity corner at the Oceanarium - my kiddo ain't taking a rain check :P



 

MOP has a spectacular view of Manila Bay. I am sure the view is better at sunset!

TRAILS OF ANTARTICA





On the way to the Trails of Antartic!

Pakitang gilas si Mr. Penguin.  My kiddo's eyes were glued to the baby penguins as they swam.

 

 

Temperature freezing... brrr!

Ma look, its Santa :P

JELLIES EXHIBIT

 



My kiddo quite amazed to see jellies for the first time :P

PENGUIN TALK SHOW

 

I was too engaged with Mr. Penguin, I forgot to take pictures - I got this one though!  My kiddo enjoying the show!!! 

 

 

 A trip to MOP is educational  and entertaining!  We would definitely be back.

Next time will bring the entire family and stay at the H20 Hotel to make the most of MOP!

 

MOP: Rated A for kiddos and kids at heart  :D

 

Address:Manila Ocean Park behind Quirino Grandstand Luneta Manila

Trunkline: +63 2 567 7777

Facsimile:+63 2 567 2309

Email:inquiry@manilaoceanpark.com

 

 

 

BenCab Museum - For the Love of Art

 

 

BenCab Museum is located some 30 minutes from the crowded Baguio City.   

Travel could be a little difficult since it is not found in any of the Baguio maps sold in bookstores.  Travel was, however, all worth it! 

 

The museum is home to the masterpieces of one of the Philippines National Artists - Mr. Benedicto Reyes Cabrera — or BenCab.  The museum has about eight (8) galleries showcasing different art pieces

 

We found the art pieces to be quite engaging, well except for the Erotica and Print Gallery, which were off-limits to children, but was a complete hit to my husband!

 

The museum fascade! 

 

 

 

Seated on this huge trunk bench while admiring Ben-cab's creations.

 

 

 

 

My son admiring art :P  promising...

 

 

 

Armed with his own camera - the boy took photos non-stop!

 

 

This was my favorite... dumb founded to learn it is the sign leading to a common restroom!

 

 

 

Cool backdrop for a cool picture shot!

 

 

 

Amazing statues and art pieces filled the museum galleries! 

 

 

 

 

My son grew a fonding of this native chair (just about his height!)

 

Love this table... simply unique and one of the kind!

 

Who says museum tours are boring? 

A visit to BenCab's museum will prove them wrong!!!

 

 

Some Tips:

(1) The museum charges P100 per person, there is student rate, but you need to present your kid's school ID to avail of the discount.

(2) While at Bencab's visit and try out Cafe' Sabel (see my related post).  It has the most wonderful garden.  Food - quiet special!

 

 

BenCab Museum is located at Km. 6 Asin Road, Tadiangan, Tuba, Benguet

Tel /Fax: (+63 74) 442 7165
Email: bencabartfoundation@gmail.com

 

Baluarte ni Chavit!

 

 

Welcome to Baluarte!!!

 

 

Baluarte - owned by Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson is a sight to behold. 

It is like a mini theme park. Entrance is free and so are the rides, shows and face to face encounters with animals roaming the grounds.

We were welcomed to a small chapel located infront of the park.  There were plenty of tourist inside the park, but the chapel was obviously quiet.

At the entrance are different breeds of birds. These ones gaily posed for photo opps.

 

 

Not to be missed is the free miniature horse rides.  Would you believe this mini-horse is already 12 years old (that is about 39 years old in horse's years).

 

My 4 year old playing cow boy :P

 

 

Yo! Cowboy... (he wont leave the souvenir shop without a cowboy hat)!

 

 

 

 

Great background more picture takings. Looked real alright!

 

 

Mid-way, uphill to the Lion's cage is a small pool for the ducks.  My boys love ducks!

Yup!  I was surprised to see reindeers in Vigan too!

Mini horses freely roam the park...

The famous Chavit lion - has appeared in various tv shows as we were told by attendants.



Show-off Peacock... begging for a picture!

 

This one is a Sarimanok.  I always thought they are just mytical, never knew they really existed until I saw this one.  At first I though it was dead, then it moved.  Awesome!!!  I wonder how much Mr. Singson paid for this one....

 

 

Told you those dinosaurs are good for picture taking :P  

My boys gamely striked a pose!!! I had to say sorry to my little one when he begged to take one home... (hindi po kakasya sa sasakyan :P) 

BALUARTE is a must visit when heading to Vigan.  Be warned, however, that it could get awfully hot noon time especially during summer.  So buying those cowboy hats (@P90-120) could very well come in handy!!!

Museo Pambata

I was chaperone to my son in his last school field trip and found myself inside  a children's museum along Roxas Boulevard, after an hour or so of travel. 

Alone I would not brave this museum's location.  There were so many hawkers and bystanders outside, the streets heading to the museum was busy and traffic so bad.

Having said that,  Museo Pambata was still a worthwhile travel.

This museum is like a huge play ground, where kids can learn, while having fun. They are sure to enjoy the many interactive exhibits the museum has to offer.  And it is not just a museum - summer art programs, various play activities are also offered here for free or at minimal cost.

The museum has eight (8) theme rooms.

(1) Kalikasan
(2) Old Manila
(3) Career Options
(4) I Love my Planet Earth
(5) My Body Works (which my son enjoyed a lot)
(6) Pamilihang Bayan (which was my favorite, the kiddie size stores and shops  were so cute) 
(7) Global Village
(8) Karapatan Hall

Word of caution: Be ready to answer lots of questions from your kiddos!

what is a finger print? 

 

 

 

why is this mouth so huge?

is that fart i am hearing? how come it doesn't smell?


 

can i be a driver when i grow up?

 

how do i cook sinigang?

 

can we bring this bahay kubo home?

 

You should allot at least 1 1/12 to 2 hours to fully appreciate the tour, however, if you are in a hurry and don't have the luxury of time - I suggest you head straight to My Body Works or Pamilihan Bayan. As we were on group tour we rather pressed for time and never got to make the most out of your trip.

 

 

No worries... we will be back :P

 

Museo Pambata Foundation, Inc.
Roxas Boulevard corner South Drive
Manila, Philippines
T: (632) 523-1797/98, 536-0595
F: (632) 522-1246
M: +63 918-382-2212 (for Booking and Reservations only)
E: info@museopambata.org

 

 

 

 

 

The Crocodile Park Manila

 

 

I found this field trip to the Crocodile Park (CP) surprisingly entertaining!

 

The park runs bird shows and exhibition stunts (with live huge crocodiles) Wednesdays to Sundays at 4pm - so make sure you are on time for the show schedules before heading to CP.

 

The location is dusty and quite run down, but the shows were A+.

 

In fact, I found the CP's Super Bird show more engaging compared to the Ocean Park HK bird show I have seen.  I honestly enjoyed my Manila bird show more (then maybe it could  be because, the Manila show was in Filipino - figures!). 

 

 

 

 

After the bird show the group was led to the crocodile breeding area and treated to a stunt exhibition of a dancing tight rope artist (did I mention that the rope was suspended across a pool filled with crocodileS?). 

 

I can't hardly breathe, while the poor man crossed the tight rope doing various stunts in between!  The closest I have seen such a stunt was when we went to Thailand and a crocodile handler placed his head inside the crocs mouth (crazy!). 

So scared Manong Tight Rope Artist would fall and end up as chow for those sharp teethed crocodileS, in front of the kids!

 

(I was so afraid to death watching, I forgot to take pictures!  But instead of checking out the pix, I suggest you just go there and see for yourself what I mean)

 

Oh and the park also houses a mini-petting zoo, which the kiddos enjoyed totally

(I really can't get over Manong Tight Rope Artist!)

 

Bravo for the staff of Crocodile Park Manila!

 

 

Crocodile Park Manila is located at Boom na Boom Grounds, Pasay City

Contact Number (02) 833 5680

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 :(

 

 

 

 

Paradise Ranch Clark Pampanga

 

Paradise Ranch is a perfect family park located at Sacobia Valley.  It shares the same entrance as the Zoocobia Zoo.

 

For a little over P450 you get to enjoy both Zoocobia and Paradise Ranch.

 

The inside of the park was a feast to our eyes.  Trees and plants everywhere with garden beautifully manicured and maintained. 

 

We took a raft going to the middle of a man made pond and fed fishes.  My boys were ecstatic to see all the fishes get excited over fish food.

 

 

 

Kuya asking for more fish food from our tour guide.

 

 

There were few butterflies inside the butterfly sanctuary, I wish there could be more.

 

 

 

 

Atleast they have this cool bench, good for picture perfect moments.  Cheers! 

 

 





The garden heading towards the butterfly sanctuary.

 





 

 

One of the beautifullly kept gardens that surrounds the park.

  

 

My boys did not mind a little bit of hiking.  They were so enthralled by the beauty of the park.

 

Peacocks freely roam the park

 

 Just lovely....