Manila Ocean Park Review

Manila Ocean Park is set to open on February 24, after more than two months delay from its original December opening. Located behind the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta, it's actually almost walking distance from our office so I might drop by when I get the time. (or swimming distance if I'm feeling athletic and willing to get cholera from swallowing Manila bay water)

In this picture: Lots of graphics from the game SimCity 2000
Not in this picture: What Manila Ocean Park actually looks like

Park admission fee is 400 pesos for adults and 300 for children which kinda says to the fish and other animals there that unless visitor numbers pickup, they will be starving to death, eating their own floating fishcrap.

Opening hours of Ocean Park are from 10AM to 6PM. Fish, apparently, need their beauty rest too. We have an aquarium at home, I guess they're the Chinese sweatshop equivalent of fish, because unlike Manila Ocean Park's fish, they actually have to swim 24/7 (we have a cat to ensure they're doing just that)

Anyway, the park also features a marine open water habitat, where you get to hangout with fish for the low low price of half a leg. Before you could only imagine what it was like to wade around in waters filled with creatures that you've never seen in your entire life - oh wait. Chances are you already have, during rainy season, pag lumulusong sa baha.

(17:08:21) Anna: pede ka magsnorkeling
(17:08:26) Anna: ang kasama mo bangus saka tilapia

Wouldn't it be interesting if they actually made a replica of the ecosystem of our rivers? It'd be filled with 90% Janitor fish and naked kids taking a bath in the water, jumping off bridges. (but then again, at 400 pesos entrance fee, these animals will starve)

Even better, they should make a Dampa resto just outside. That'd be cool and freaky at the same time, because for one you could be eating something that came from inside the park - although for another, there's probably a reason why what you're eating is no longer inside the park. (like AIDS)

As with many things in this site, I am once again reviewing something without actually ever stepping into or watching (or both) whatever I'm reviewing. Don't blame me. Blame the damn website for posting computer generated floorplans instead of posting ACTUAL pictures of the place despite its being finished already (or so they say). Please don't tell me they're actual shots already, and that when you go inside you'll get to see the WindowsXP aquarium screensaver instead. >_< style="font-weight: bold;">Fast Facts:

Park Name: Manila Ocean Park
Opening Date: Feb. 24, 2008
Park Hours: 10Am - 6PM
Ticket Prices: 300-400 (children/adult)
How to Get There:

1.Look for Manila Bay.
2. Keep swimming north.
3. Avoid US Embassy Guard outposts.
4. ???
5. Profit.