Manila Ocean Park

www.manilaoceanpark.com

This is a PhP1-billion project of Singaporean and Malaysian investors.  What’s in store?

*The park will house the first and largest aquarium facility in the Philippines.
*The oceanarium and the open marine habitats would contain 12,000 cubic meters of seawater featuring 300 marine species indigenous to the Philippines and Southeast Asia.
*Sentosa in Singapore is 6,000 square meters while Manila Ocean Park is 8,000 square meters.
*The project is composed of three phases:
  
  Phase 1:  Oceanarium - expected to be completed and opened to public this December.
  Phase 2:  Marine-thermed mall and hotel - would be completed next year.
  Phase 3:  Open marine habitats - would be completed next year.

*The project is expected to provide jobs to 2,000 Filipinos.
*This would enable the government to earn PhP20 million annually in rental fees.
*After five years, there would be an incremental increase of five or 10% per year.  The Philippine government will get a share from the income.

Much for the excitement, let’s hope that Phase 1 will materialize… it is days near before December!

What’s with Phase 1 or Oceanarium?

The “oceanarium journey” is divided into six sections, each one carrying a Filipino name to exhibit national pride.

The first section, called Agos (Flow), features a rainforest-theme with eight tanks containing freshwater species.  This part of the oceanarium — the only open area in the facility — shows the interconnectedness between the water and land.  Agos would also feature an artificial waterfall and a touch pool, where children could interact with creatures such as starfish and shrimps.

The next section, called Bahura or the Reef, would exhibit artificial corals in 48 tanks, complete with their scientific and common names, and their roles in the ecosystem. Laot (Fishing Ground), on the other hand, would feature big fish and Eagle-spotted rays in a long tank.

The main attraction of the oceanarium is a 25-meter long walkway tunnel with 220-degree curved acrylic walls.  Other oceanarium tunnels only have 180-degree curved walls. The Manila Ocean Park tunnel in effect, would give patrons a better viewing experience.  One wall of the tunnel would feature corals and small fish, while the other wall would exhibit big fish like sharks and rays.

A school of barracudas would be seen swimming in a large tank at the Kalaliman (The Deep) section of the oceanarium. There would also be a shark tank and an overhead aquarium featuring the breathtaking beauty of rays.

Manila Ocean Park is behind Quirino Grandstand at the Rizal Park.  Entrance fee would be PhP250 for students, and PhP350 to PhP400 for regular patrons.

December is coming soon!
 
(Source)