Manila Ocean Park unveils Oceanarium

The newly-opened Manila Ocean Park (MOP), the largest and first ever world-class marine-themed park in the Philippines, unveiled on March 1 its Oceanarium. Aside from the Oceanarium, this Php1.2-billion facility also features an open-water marine habitats and multipurpose function halls, and soon will be boasted of a mall and boutique hotel. The MOP aims to reinforce the country's image as a dive destination, and serves as its show window to the world.

The state-of-the-art Oceanarium showcases the marine biodiversity found within and around the waters of the Philippines. It has an area of 8,000 square meters, bigger than Singapore's Sentosa, and houses about 300 variety of species, like marine and freshwater fishes, crustaceans and invertibrates, that are on display inside large tanks and aquariums. Approximately, there are 20,000 water creatures living comfortably in the simulated environment.

Visitors will be delighted to find an up close and personal encounter with sharks, squids and other exotic fishes. A walk through the 25-meter-long walkway tunnel, surrounded by these awesome water creatures, is also an exciting experience of its own.

Other attractions like glass-bottom boat riding and stingray feeding add spices to the thrill. Likewise, there are two open-water marine habitats, where each pool measures 1,500 square-meter and is 21 feet deep.

Currently, construction is on-going for a three-level mall and 120-room hotel, and a restaurant row alongside a promenade that offers a majestic view of the Manila Bay. Target period of completion for the said structures is on August 2008.

The MOP is located just behind the Quirino Grandstand at Luneta Park in the city of Manila. It is open daily from 10:00am to 6:00pm. Admission rates are set at Php400 for adults and Php350 for children. However, children below two feet in height are free of charge.

For inquiries, you may call 567-7777 or 567-2309.