Tutubi has become an information source for his friends asking him all sorts of information that he himself don't know. One of them is Manila Ocean Park's schedule for Holy Week 2013, where some of his friends intend to visit during Holy Week.

To answer their queries, Tutubi called up Manila Ocean Park's contact number just to be sure. It took quite a while for operators to answer the telephone but he got a definite answer:

Manila Ocean Park Holy Week Schedule 2013
March 25, 2013 Monday OPEN 9am to 9pmMarch 26, 2013Tuesday OPEN 9am to 9pmMarch 27, 2013 Wednesday OPEN 9am to 9pmMarch 28, 2013 Maundy Thursday OPEN 9am to 9pmMarch 29, 2013 Good Friday OPEN 9am to 9pmMarch 30, 2013 Black Saturday OPEN 9am to 9pmMarch 31, 2013 Easter Sunday OPEN 9am to 9pm

Note: Normal operating hours of Manila Ocean Park is 9am to 9pm so Holy Week is just an ordinary week for them probably after observing past Holy Week when most malls and parks were closed. Manila Oceanarium's regualr schedule according to their official website is from 10am to 9pm during weekdays but the operator gave 9am to 9pm...just go there early to avoid the expected long lines in the morning.

Manila Ocean Park Entrance Fee: PhP 400.00 for adults
PhP 350.00 for children below four feet in height

SLR/DSLR photography is allowed at the Oceanarium but not flash photography. reminders are posted at the park and guards will confiscate your cameras, even point and shoot cameras, if they see you use flash to take pictures inside. This is done to protect the fishes from being stressed out (there's such a thing as fish stress). (Tip: to take better pictures, use a rubber lens hood that can come in contact with the glass of the aquariums, a CPL (circular polarizer) can but not totally eliminate glare and reflections but lessen sensitivity of the camera.

Manila Ocean Parks facilities include the Oceanarium, the upcoming The Mall and Open Marine Habitat.

For those with cars, there's ample parking space behind Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park (Luneta).

How to get to Manila Ocean Park:

Driving Directions to Manila Ocean Park: From Quiapo, cross Quezon Bridge, pass Lawton then choose right lane of Burgos st where Manila City Hall and the neo-classical National Art Gallery (former National Museum and Senate Building) are, turn right in the direction of Manila Hotel, pass by Manila Planetarium (the nearest hotel to MOP), cross Roxas Boulevard (landmark: Manila Hotel and the Legazpi Monument) then left behind Quirino grandstand.

How to Commute to Manila Ocean Park:

Manila Ocean Park is nearest to LRT UN Avenue station where it's quite a long walk (and hot during Holy Week's summer sun). Suggest you walk to Padre faura Street then board jeepneys going to Pier where the walk is shorter. From Quiapo, board jeepneys with Mabini on their signboards and alight in Luneta when you see the Rizal Monument then walk towards the park.

Note:
Maniila Ocean Park contact number: +63.2.567.7777 for bookings, group tours, reservations, fish spa inquiries et al

Labels: Holy Week, Manila, Marine Parks, Oceanariums

Tutubi, the skeptical type when it comes to press releases when he was disappointed on the absence of oceanarium announced during the construction of Mall of Asia (MOA), is now excited on the impending opening of Manila's own oceanarium, called Manila Ocean Park, that's set to rival, even upstage, Singapore's Underwater World, Hong Kong Ocean Park, Bangkok, Thailand's's Siam Ocean World and KL's Aquaria (Malaysia), all four Tutubi wasn't able to visit due to his priority over things of historic and cultural attractions. The only close one he has was his visit to Subic's Ocean Adventure

According to the press release and video shown on TV, the park is divided into several sections: rainforest-themed Agos (flow) with an aritifical waterfalls, Bahura (reef) with its artificial reef, Laot (fishing ground), Kalaliman (the deep) with deep-sea fishes and creatures like barracudas, sharks and rays. No whale sharks are to be featured there so you have to visit Donsol for the whale shark interaction (Tutubi's most cherished experience in 2003 that he's yet to post in this blog). The main attraction is a 25-meter long walkway tunnel with 220-degree curved glass walls.

Entrance fee, as reported, cost P350 for students, and P400 for regular patrons. US$1 is around P42 as of this time so this is much cheaper than Underwater World Singapore's Sg$19.90, HK Ocean Park's HK$195 and even against Siam Ocean World's 450 Baht admission charge.

With all the attractions and the affordable price, expect Tutubi to be one of the first one to troop there once it's open.

The whole facility, once completed, will also have a hotel and mall right in the heart of the old city of Manila near Rizal Park.

Manila Ocean Park is owned by China Oceanis Philippines Inc. whose parent company is currently operating four oceanariums in China.

UPDATE: Manila Ocean Park opened on March 1, 2013

Telephone: +63.2.400.0604; +63.2.400.0681; +63.2.400.0691
Fax: +63.2.400.0732

Entrance Fees: PhP400 for adults (about $10)
PhP 350 for children

How to get to Manila Ocean Park:

For those awaiting the opening in December this year, the oceanarium can be reached, commute way, just as you would come to Rizal Park (Luneta) since it's just just behind Quirino Grandstand. The nearest LRT station is UN Avenue. Jeepneys plying Taft Avenue is also near but those passing through Mabini and M.H. Del Pilar in Malate are nearer the place.

Directions by car/taxi, same as going to Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park.

Will post Manila Ocean Park pictures once Tutubi visits the place :P

UPDATE Manila Ocean Park opened on March 1, 2008. Tutubi's Manila Ocean Park pictures/photos of the place coming soon...regarding taking pictures and photography, SLR/DSLR cameras are allowed provided no flash is used.

Manila Ocean Park Holy Week Schedules:
Manila Ocean Park will be open over the Lenten holidays, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday; and 9 a.m.-9 p.m. on Black Saturday and Easter Sunday. March 20 - 23, 2008

Related Post:

Ocean Adventure, Subic Bay

Labels: Manila, Marine Parks, Metro Manila

Ocean Adventure, South East Asia's only open water marine park, located in Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales in the sprawling former US military base about 100 kilometers north of Manila. Attractions include Killer Whale and Dolphin show, sea lion show, Discovery Aquarium, Learning Center and personal encounters with the sea lions and dolphins.


The Discovery Aquarium features various fishes and crustaceans in aquariums including the loveable clown fish living near the anemone (a filter-feeding animalrelated to corals, jellyfish and hydra) popularized by the animated movie Nemo.



The Sea Lion show features a sea lion choreographed to synchronize with music and boasts of an interactive audience participation



The Dolphins and Whales Show showcases two false killer whales and two dolphins obeying commands of the trainers obviously with the poor creatures being rewarded with fish food for their obedience.












The dolphin interaction part allows spectators to actually commune with the intelligent creatures (for a fee of course) even allowing close-up pictures.





Backpacking Subic Bay and Ocean Adventure:

How to get to Ocean Adventure, Subic Bay Zambales:

Commuting to Subic Bay is via Victory Liner, with terminals in Pasay City and Cubao, Quezon City has daily trips to Olongapo City.

Entrance to the facility is P450 and very near Camayan Beach Resort. The place is too humid with not much wind so suggest you come with bottled water, shades, caps and towels.

Driving Directions: in April 2008, try taking the new SCTEx for faster travel time from NLEx to Subic.

Note:

I recommend avoiding the pricey resort "Puting Bato" due to poor service in contrast to their high rating. The said resort should be re-evaluated by the DOT. It's because of their lamentable service that I wasn't able to go to Zoobic Safari :(

All pictures taken exactly one year ago using my then 2-day old Canon EOS 300D with standard 18-55 kit lens that I still don't know how to operate. I just used Sports mode and shoot away.

Related Posts:

Manila Ocean Park
Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx)

Labels: Central Luzon, Marine Parks, Subic, Zambales