Manila Ocean Park: Your All Season Holiday Destination

It's been quite a while that my only destination has just been office-house and house-office. This is not doing me any good. I have to go to other place despite the interchanging of super hot - super wet weather that Philippines is experiencing. The extreme hot weather condition and/or the strong rains really makes me lazy to plan on an out of town trip. So, I am looking for a spot inside the Metro and here's where Google takes place.

After searching on the net and several Tabs of Google Chrome, I finally picked the spot for my Metro Manila getaway and I chose The Manila Ocean Park.

How to get there?
Manila Ocean Park is facing the Quirino Grand Stand and behind the park will be Manila Bay. Having said that, this is one of those places which requires a taxi/cab to be able to reach if you are not a fan of walking. But for those whose having a long walk is not a problem, here's my suggestion: You can take an LRT 1 going to Taft. You may drop off at United Nations station since this is the nearest station to Manila Ocean Park. From UN station, walk towards TM Kalaw going to Manila Bay. You'll know you're in the right route if you passed by the National Library, the huge Lapu Lapu statue and Rizal Park. Facing Rizal Park is the Quirino Grandstand. Walk towards it. Behind it is where Manila Ocean Park. The key here is to ask people there for directions since this is a long walk.

Manila Ocean Park is the first Oceanarium in the country and it is the largest aquarium facility with a floor area of 8,000 sq. ft.. It is a marine life themed park in which visitors will witness a large varieties of marine creatures like fishes, sharks, rays, etc. The park is proud of its 25-meter long underwater tunnel full of creatures mentioned earlier. Aside from this, the place is very educational. Children and children-alike will surely learn and enjoy during a stay in this place.

The Manila Ocean Park has lots of attractions to offer to its visitors. There are customized packages to choose from to save time on picking which place to try and also to save money. I recommend to get packages instead of buying tickets individually.

Below are some of the list of attractions and packages that Manila Ocean Park offers:

There's more to this (Photo from MOP's website)

The package we took is worth 700 PhP which includes: Oceanarium, Trails to Antarctica, Jellies Exhibit, Fish Spa, Marine Life Show, and the Musical Fountain Show. It was half a day adventure and in which our time management skills were put into test. Haha... Ok! Lets have a tour inside the Manila Ocean Park!

Note: The following photos were taken using camera phone #sigh 

The Marine Life Show (Reg Price 150PhP)

These sea lions are adorable

Located next to the ticket counters, our adventure starts with the Marine Life Show where 2 sea lions are the main attraction along with their trainers. Everyone watching the show really adore watching these two sea lions as they dance, act and speak (dont take this literally). They know how to make people smile with their simple gestures and tricks. It was fun to watch and if I had a chance, I would like to volunteer to have an up-close and personal interaction with them in the stage.

Oceanarium (Reg Price 400PhP)

Next off is the Oceanarium. I believe it occupies the largest portion of Manila Ocean Park as this holds the largest marine aquarium in country. It is divided into 5 sections, namely: the Agos, the Bahura, the Laot, the Buhay na Karagatan, and the Ang Kalaliman. Five sections with 5 different environment.

Agos is rain forest themed with tanks of freshwater fishes like Giant Arapaima, Alligator Gar, Arowanas, Giant Gourami, Catfishes and more. The area is not air-conditioned but because of the hanging vines and the trees and plants around it, it made the place cooler.

Bahura showcases different colorful and unique types of fishes. This place is very fascinating because you've got to see in person fishes with different characteristics. For example is the tank where Reef Stonefishes are contained. They are labeled like that because of their abilities to hide/camouflaged as a rock. We also got to see Nemo's family which are the clown fishes in this area.

Laot also known as the fishing ground. Characterized by huge tanks, Laot is filled with large fishes like Largetooth Sawfish, Two-spot Red Snapper, and Giant Tuna.

Moment at the "Laot" 

Buhay na Karagatan is what I considered to be the highlight of the Oceanarium. It is a 25-meter long underwater walk way tunnel full of different types of fishes including sting rays and sharks. We also got to witness how they feed them by having one of their staff dive into the aquarium full of big creatures to feed and interact with them. This is the most crowded part of the section and I understands why.

This is not Hongkong Ocean Park :]

Ang Kalaliman is the last stop of Oceanarium. It holds creatures living in the deepest part of the sea.This where people got to clearly see how sharks behave when they're down there.

Fish Spa (Reg Price 120PhP)

My "Happy" feet

This is my favorite Manila Ocean Park experience (Well, my girlfriend couldn't say the same. Lol). It is a foot spa with a twist. One will need to dip his/her feet into a water full of small fishes. After a matter of seconds, fishes will start kissing your toes. It was tickling at first but as it come along, it became manageable (still not applicable on my girlfriend). The spa lasts for 10 minutes.

Trails to Antarctica (Reg Price 300PhP)

This section brings visitors to the coldest part area of the Earth. It is a walk through exhibit to learn more about the frozen continent. Trails to Antarctica is divided into 3 parts. It has the Slide O'Fun, Penguin Exhibit and Snow Village. We didn't try the ice slide called Slide O'Fun but we've got to see the penguins at Penguin Exhibit. We have also experience to feed these "Happy Feet" which costs us extra 500 peso because the feeding activity is not included in the package. It is an inclusive of photo op with the penguins and a take home CD of our photos. 

Feeding Time!

Snow village is a small room with a very low temperature which makes you feels like you're actually in Antarctica and it has a winter Christmas theme. Jackets will be distributed before entering the said room. Just be careful inside because the floor is slippery ice. It got me sliding several times.

Jellies Exhibit (Reg Price 150PhP)

Their like glowing in the dark! (Photo from MOP's website)

This area is filled with tanks full of different species of jelly fish. It is dark inside and the only light you'll see are the one that is lighting the tanks. Tanks lighting are changing and it feels like those jellies we're glowing. It was very relaxing watching them like their dancing. I never thought I would be hook into this creature of the sea. 

Musical Fountain Show (Reg Price 300 PhP)

Very entertaining (Photo from MOP's website)

As to end our Manila Ocean Park experience that day, we watched the Musical Fountain Show. It is an animated water fountain entertainment, a laser light with music choreography, and a live performance combined into one show!

At the end of this adventure... me and my girlfriend were both tired and happy. It was indeed a great tour. Also, an educating one. What I mentioned above are just some of the attractions that can be experienced at Manila Ocean Park (I missed 1 adventure, the Aquanaut but there will always be a next time). Come and visit them at Manila Ocean Park, Luneta, Manila (behind Quirino Grandstand).

Dry Encounter (Reg Price 300 PhP)

By the way, I also avail their Dry Encounter experience wherein I've got to see and touch a rays. It was also educational because facilitators tried to explain to me the different types of rays they have and how to identify them. At the end of this experience. 1 printed copy of my photo during my Dry Encounter was given.

Breakdown of Expenses: 

Ultimate Adventure Package - 700 PhP x 2 = 1,400 PhP

• Attractions: Oceanarium, Trails to Antarctica, Jellies Exhibit, Fish Spa, Marine Life Show, and the Musical Fountain Show

Dry Encounter - 300 PhP

Penguin Feeding - 500 PhP

Transportation - **.**

Food - **.**

Tous les Jours | Waffles & Loyalty Card Launching

Tous Les Jours (pronounced as "Tu-Le-Juru") has already established its name in Metro Manila since the day it started. A sign of this are the store branches that are popping out all around the Metro. Manileños are now learning about the freshness of Tous les Jours products and just yesterday, I have been a part of another Tous Les Jours milestone as they opened their 12th store located in SM Jazz Mall, Makati.

How to get there?
Take a MRT ride going to Buendia station. From Buendia, look for the Shell station. On the opposite road, there is a jeepney stop for Ayala-bound jeepneys. Take a jeepney ride. Fare is 8 pesos. Just tell the jeepney driver to drop you at SM Jazz or Mapua Makati. They will not going to drop you at the exact location of SM Jazz but it is just a matter of few steps from SM Jazz. Tous Les Jours is located on the 1st floor and in front of the parking lot.

Ribbon-cutting ceremony

The event started with the usual ribbon-cutting ceremony initiated by TLJ President Andrea Amado with Ms. Daiana Menezes (who's so beautiful by the way). After the ribbon-cutting, every invited guest were welcomed to come inside the store. My first impression as I entered this TLJ branch was it's much bigger compared to some of their branch. Aside from the counters and display area of pastries and cakes, Tous Les Jours of SM Jazz also have dining tables, dinning chairs and couches. But the great things are, they preserve the vibes as well as the architectural colors which were also characterized among their other branches.

They welcomed us to come inside TLJ SM Jazz Mall

Couldn't stop myself from taking photos of her

After some meet and greet, and introductions, they also announced 2 more things to be celebrated aside from the 12th store opening. One is the kick off of waffles that will be serve on all TLJ branches and second is the launching of Tous Les Jours's loyalty membership card called "Patisserie Connoisseur".

I think TLJ Jazz can accommodate around 30-40 dine-in customers (photo from TLJ's FB Fan Page)

Same design like their other branches in the metro

Yes, you read it right! Tous Les Jours will start serving us waffles. I am one of the lucky guest to be the first one to taste those waffles (FOR FREE!). Tous Les Jours's waffles comes in 4 different variants: Belgian Waffle, Blueberry Waffle, Strawberry Waffle, and Chocolate Waffle (my favorite among 4). From the time they announced that the waffles were ready to serve, I immediately get one of each kind. I was curious how do these waffles different among the other brands. Verdict, it was sugary crunchy on the outside but as I dig in my teeth into its core, it became softer and started to taste the filling. It was interesting in a good way. Also, I actually find them flavorful. It was tasted according to their labels with an average sweetness -- not bland and not too strong. They valued at 48 pesos each.

Can't tell what just by looking at them... Tasting them is the key

It has sugary crunch outside. Yum!

Good thing my plate wasn't full yet when this was shot (photo from TLJ's FB Page)

Other than the free waffles, free pastries and cakes were also served to the guests! I wished I didn't took meal before I went there. I haven't got to taste everything because I am still full. Shame. But I've got to list some of the products that really caught my taste bud. They will definitely be on my basket the next time I visited Tous Les Jours.

Eye candy muffins! 

Even though they have price tags that day, it was free for us! Hehe

Another list of free taste that day. Yup, cakes were included.

It's really hard to focus with all those cakes in front of me (photo from TLJ's FB Page)

The second announcement is the launching of their membership card called "Patisserie Connoisseur". It can be purchased on any TLJ branch which costs 100 pesos. There's also another way to get this membership card. For every 500 pesos in single receipt food purchase, this entitles you for a FREE Patisserie Connoisseur membership card.. Lucky me, they gave us a free membership card from yesterday's event. Card owners will get 2% discount on every 100 pesos and above worth of products purchase. It may sound a little but saving is still a saving. Not only that, this is also a rebate card wherein on every transaction made on this card, points will be earned which can be used on purchasing TLJ products in the future. Not bad huh? They said that the launching of the membership card is one way of TLJ to say thank you to their dear customers.

One of the tokens they gave us -- "Patisserie Connoisseur"

That's not all, Chef Peter, master baker in Tous Les Jours, done some cake demo for everyone. He did a demonstration on how to make/decorate a rose inspired cake that is being sold in TLJ stores. I think he's practicing witchcraft and sorcery... he did the cake decoration in no time and like it was just a game. #Justkidding. Daiana Menezes also done some part of the cake demo which I find very adorable.

He works like magic!

At the end of the event, everybody was happy and (of course) full as we left Tours Les Jours SM Jazz.

Visit them! Tous Les Jours SM Jazz Mall
109-A Jazz Residences
Jupiter Street, Corner Nicanor Garcia Street
Bel-Air, Makati City

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. I accept partnership proposals as long as they are relevant to travel, outdoors, food and tourism. For advertising inquiries, please use the contact form on the Contact Me page of this site or directly send me an e-mail at aremgelogo@gmail.com. 

My First Hike: Mt. Maculot and the "Rockies" of Cuenca, Batangas

It's time for some Throwback Thursday (Blog Edition)!

My love for mountain hiking started back in 2009 when I was invited by a college friend to have an overnight on top of a mountain. He has done hiking before and he wanted to encourage others, along with my other college friends, to try out this adventure. Overnight on top of a mountain sounds fun so everybody accepted the invitation... or should I say, the challenge? Paul (the one who invited us) chose Mt Maculot of Cuenca, Batangas. Reasons are: 1) It is considered an average in terms of its height in which it is ideal for newbies like us. 2) He's also familiar with the place because he'd already been to Mt Maculot.

PS: Please ignore our outfits in the following photos. They are inappropriate for hiking and we regret wearing them. #lol 

Cuenca, Batangas - Blurring out those campaign ads (Photo from Edward Calugtong)

How to get there:

From Buendia/Gil Puyat, take a bus going to Lemery. Usual bus rate is 147 pesos. Inform your conductor that you'll go at Mt Maculot and drop you off at Cuenca, Batangas. From there, you can hire a tricycle that will bring you to the jump off point of Mt Maculot. Fare is 20 pesos per pax. But before going to the jump off, ask your driver to stop you at the Registration Area which is near the Barangay Hall of Cuenca. Registration fee is 10 pesos per pax. Log everybody in the logbook. This is our first lesson about hiking. Never miss out to register because that will be used for emergency purposes.

Sign that we are heading to the right direction =] (Photo from Edward Calugtong)

After the registration, we headed at the jump-off point to gear up and start the hike. We started the hike with a prayer followed by a stretching. That's our second and third lessons. Always ask for guidance from our creator and prepare your body with this extreme adventure. These two are very important. We should never fail to ask assistance to God as this kind of sport comes with lots of danger. Also, stretch out to increase your range of motion, which means your limbs and joints can move further before an injury occurs.

Yup, this is our official outfits for Mt Maculot hike. #throwbackThursday  (Photo from Edward Calugtong)

I can still remember my excitement that day on this first hiking adventure of mine. I really don't know what to expect up there and I thought this was just a plain activity. Well, everybody is excited and oozing with energy on the first quarter as we went up to the peak of Mt Maculot. Everybody is chatting, laughing, joking and even singing. But those were minimized as we gone through the second and third quarter. Trails are getting stiffer and harder. We started to feel our weight and the weight of our things that we carry. Lesson number four: Only bring what you need. Do not bring unnecessary things. Just keep it light.  There are also some parts of the trail that requires you to grasp on soil, grass and branches in order to continue. Never hesitate to put your hands on this things. This is not the place for people who has an "attitude". One must have a strong legs and feet to surpass the obstacles. That makes us realize that this activity should be taken with precautions.

Start of our trek

Trail are getting difficult...

Everybody was tired and sweating hard. The sun sets to its highest position. Getting thirsty is inevitable. Fifth lesson: Have enough water supply. This is a vital thing that mountaineers should bring on every hike. Thank God, there are stalls in different parts of Mt Maculot that sells "buko" juice and other cold beverages. Yup, its cold but they're a bit pricey too. We bought drinks on most of the stalls we passed by. Having cold drinks in this tiring activity is priceless! You'll come to appreciate them. It is also a way to conserve our packed water. So instead of drinking them, we reserved it and will be used while our stay on top and going down the next day.

 Store in the middle of the trail | That's my friend, Julius (Photo from Edward Calugtong)

What I also noticed is that as we encounter other mountaineers, they always greet fellow mountaineers even they're are strangers. "Magandang umaga/tanghali/gabi sir/ma'am" (good morning/afternoon/evening sir/ma'am) and/or "ingat po" (take care) are the most commonly used greetings. That is lesson number six: greet fellow mountaineers.

Emac, Eteng and Julius finding doing their own ways

After 2 hours of trekking. The group finally reached the top! Our hard work paid off and what I felt upon reaching the top was un-explainable (but I know it's in a good way). The view on top of Mt Maculot is superb.

Heaven and Earth

Sunset at Mt Maculot

After a quick tour on top, we started to pitch our tent. The camp site of Mt. Maculot is quite big and can a accommodate large group of mountaineers. Then we started to cook and prepare our dinner. It was a great dinner even though only canned goods and noodles were served in the table ground. We talked about our experiences and thoughts as we went up to this mountain while eating. Energy is getting high again. The dinner was followed by socials. Lesson number seven: Have fun. Though hiking is an extreme activity, mountaineers should also enjoy and have fun!

EdPau pitching the tent

Socials that night - Pinoy Henyo and 1,2,3 pass (Photo from Edward Calugtong)

After the socials that night, all went to rest. And that was my first sleep on top of a mountain. Beat that!

The Rockies

Day 2 of our Mt Maculot Hike

The following morning, everybody woke up early to prepare and eat breakfast. This time we will be heading to a so-called place, Rockies. Rockies is a piece of Mt Maculot that offers its visitors an amazing view. Just refer on the photos below to see what I mean. It is just a 30 minutes or less of trekking from the camp site of Mt. Maculot. Extreme caution should be observed since the wind blows hard on this part of the mountain and the space on top of Rockies is a bit narrow.

Off our way to Rockies

We are young, wild and free... also extreme!

Edward and Paula - moments of love. Yiiiihiii

This shot is much better when taken zoom out...

Am I right? :]

After almost an hour of stay and photo op at Rockies, the group decided to descend back to our camp site and start trekking down. Lesson number eight arise here: Take Nothing but pictures, Leave nothing but footsteps, Kill nothing but time. No need to explain further, right?

Climbing Mt Maculot is definitely a great experience. Though trekking up and down can sweat the hell out of me, the view on top and the pride you may feel and get as you reach the peak pays off all those hard works. Just like the famous saying... No Pain, No Gain - I guess that's the ninth lesson.

Breakdown of Expenses:
Bus ride (Pasay to Lemery, Lemery to Cubao) - 300.00 PhP (two-way)
Tricycle (Lemery to Jump off, Jump off to Lemery) - 20.00 x 2 way = 40.00 PhP/pax
Registration - 10.00 PhP
Food: **.**