By Fung Yu, Contributor
INQUIRER.net
Author’s note: This article uses QuickTime and Adobe Flash in providing an immersive experience by means of virtual reality technology. QuickTime and/or Flash 9.0 are required to view the 360-degree VRs. Average VR size is 2.3Mb each.
WHEN news first broke out that Manila will soon have an oceanarium at par with those in other Asian countries, I just couldn’t contain my anticipation! So after a long construction wait, and a few supposed openings that got postponed, the Manila Ocean Park finally opened its “waters” last February 28.
The park’s journey starts with “Agos,” one of the seven water environments. This exhibit simulates the flow of fresh water from the land out to the seas. Other environments include “Bahura,” the reef with its myriad of colorful corals and fishes; “Laot,” the fishing ground features mostly bigger fishes, including some that you’ll find in your tables; “Buhay na Karagatan,” the living ocean is the main attraction of the ocean park, with its 220-degree tunnel, where you will witness the interaction of many marine animals in their natural habitat; “Ang Kalaliman,” the deep ocean, which displays the pelagic barracudas; “Pagi,” stingrays viewed from an overhead tank; and “Pating,” with young sharks that seem to fascinate just about everyone.
Agos (The Flow)
Agos, with the waterfalls
Majority of the fauna were sourced from Philippine waters, so what you’ll see are actually some of the rich marine life within our archipelago. Notable exceptions like the giant Japanese spider crab are of course endemic to Japan. For the purpose of conservation, the colorful corals are artificial, and the fishes can’t seem to tell the difference.
The Underwater Tunnel
Another View of the Tunnel
A lot of resistance from concerned groups pertaining to conservation surfaced amid the operation of the park. While the issues may be complex, what’s important is that everyone strikes a balance between preservation and education. Appreciation sometimes precedes protection, and knowledge certainly empowers conservation.
The marine park is just the beginning. Future expansions will include a boutique hotel, a mall, open marine habitats, function rooms and exhibition areas.
Our country finally has a modern oceanarium. I’m beginning to wonder when we’ll have a modern planetarium. Now that we can appreciate the seas, let’s also set our sights upon the stars!
VRs taken on March 2008 during the soft launch period. The Manila Ocean Park website is at www.manilaoceanpark.com. The author can be reached at fung@firefly.ph
July 4th, 2008 at 10:40 am
I’ve been here and it’s worth it! I love the fish spa!
July 2nd, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Manila has a modern planetarium, saw it during my last visit. SM Mall of Asia. Check it out.
July 1st, 2008 at 5:40 pm
I have been there last May, 2008 and it is not as impressive as you would portray. In fact, there are no tour guides, so much for the education part. They are more concern with the flashes of the camera than educating the people especially the kids.It is not yet finish and I believe we were short-changed. Singapore has smaller one in Sentosa yet it is teaming with marine life, while it is no comparisson to the one in Hong Kong.