Manila Zoo

Sadly, the zoo has been criticized due to its inadequate animal care and dirty surrounding. However, the city government of Manila is responding with efforts to make the animal habitats as comfortable and natural as possible.

With so much criticisms heralded against the zoo, I would like to focus my blog on what the zoo has to offer rather than its flaws. Initially, I wanted to visit the Avalon Zoo in Tanay, Rizal but ended up going to Manila Zoo. I am worried that my son might not endure the long distance travel and the enormous size of the zoo (Avalon) for it would require a lot of walking to see the vast collection of animal on display.

The Mammal Collection

The top 3 must-see animal on display are the Asian Elephant, Hippopotamus and the Bengal Tiger. You need a lot of patience to see these animals move around their enclosures just to have that special moment when you can take your souvenir shots. Take Mali the elephant in particular, she likes going in and out of her den. So it is difficult to have your photos taken with her as the background.

The Aviary Collection

The zoo has an extensive collection of birds. What I like best is the Cassowary. It is a strange-looking bird that can grow as high as 6 feet tall. With its enormous size (second only to ostrich), it can inflict serious harm if you were attacked by one. So if your travels ever take you to Australia (endemic to this place) and you happen to cross paths with the bird, you would be advice to be wary of the wild cassowary!

The Reptile Collection

The covered structure housing this collection is somewhat tucked in a corner just beside the elephant pen. Look out for it so as not to miss the chance to see the different lizards and snakes they have on display. This perhaps is the highlight of our visit, not because of the animals but because I had a good laugh when my son got scared from the monitor lizard (bayawak).

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To see photos of some of the animals [CLICK HERE]

What To Do

The choice of activities in which to spend your time whilst in Manila Zoo is not only limited to viewing the different animal collection. A must-see for all visitors is the lagoon where you can take a boat ride and paddle around the center island. There's also a section for horse back riding, wall climbing, a zip-line, a children playground and pictorial booths with tropical birds and exotic snakes.

The Oldest Zoo in Asia

It may have lost its luster that it used to have in its grand old days, still respect must it obtain. The institution is in dire need of help, first and foremost from the city government of Manila and from the general public. Collective efforts shall be put in order now. There is still hope. This is a place worth saving for. For it is a place where countless memories are made and cherished by many. This is the legacy [CLICK HERE] that I wanted to impart to my son...the day when we had our walk to remember at the zoo.

Avaha and Shalom

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featured song from the '80s: ANIMAL SONG by the Europeans (1982)

Al Dar Islands

Summer is slowly creeping its way in this part of the globe. Succession of thunderstorm and sand storm heralds its coming in the Arabian Peninsula. While its allies – high humidity and high temperature , bring havoc at its peak, everybody frantically stays indoor and seek comfort in the arms of our dear friend – the Air Conditioning Units a.k.a. ACU’s.

But before Summer reigns over us, we sneaked our way to Al Dar Islands for a fun and leisure getaway experience. The overcast sky the day of our trip makes it more perfect as the remnants of overnight sandstorm filters the strong sunrays and made our trip just fine and bearable.

Early that day, we headed off to Al Dar Islands Beach Resort office located at Sitra Fishing Port. You can buy your tickets there or in our case we bought it ahead of time for reservation purposes. It is always better to call and make sure if they are open for business due to weather conditions or if they have private functions.

Once you have your ticket, wait for the van that conveys passengers to the Coast Guard's office. You need to register yourself on the day of your visit. Don't forget to bring your valid IDs (CPR, Passport copy or Driver's license).

On boarding the sea taxi, present your tickets to the boat captain. You will be provided with a lifejacket and will be required to wear it. Children from the age of 2 are also required to follow this safety rule. Enjoy the boat ride!

When you arrived at Al Dar Islands, present your tickets to the security staff at the entrance gate. Expect for some minor inspection of your belongings. No food and drinks are allowed so if you have any they will be removed from your bags. For more photos of my Al Dar Islands summer getaway, just CLICK HERE.

Avaha and Shalom

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featured song from the '80s: CRUEL SUMMER by Bananarama (1983)

Exhibition Road

They come and go. Some drives away from this road like they don’t care but others choose to stay for some funfare. Those who decides to stay came from afar. While some went over board for some R&R.

Lined with different business establishments, this road is in a buzz when darkness is in disguise. For the tired and weary and something in between, if they are lucky they may find their queen. Behind these painted walls you will find men wrapped in guilt with women dressed to bent while lovers search for a place to rent.

But don’t despair, for when they all had fallen asleep, the sun still shines when its time for you… to take a peek :)

Can We Serve Two Masters?

With reference to my blog of the same title that I had posted in my FRIENDSTER account, I got of the same title, how about serving God and your family at the same time? is it possible that you can serve them in equality?
can you help me with this. i’m having my debate and i should stand that you can serve two masters at the same time when this two masters are your family and God. suppose to be the person involve is a married priest. thank you. hope you can help me.

What's Going On?

As we drove to work yesterday, it occurred to me how blessed I was to be just where I am.

I had said goodbye several months ago to a friend of more than four years, who thanks to the recession has lost her job at the worst possible time.

With much prayers , it is my dearest hope that I hear from her in the very near future that she has made a new start and that good has come out of bad.

To have gone my entire life without a day out of work is a blessing. I’ve been doing my best and striving hard to earn a buck since I left the comforts of my beloved Philippines. But in times of extreme recession, your best is sometimes not good enough and people lose their jobs however hard they have worked. Or however loyal they may have been to their employer.

It concerned me to hear from friends that they’ve been given a termination letter or their paycheck were a certain percentile less than usual just so that their companies can cope up with the circumstances. But despite this, I would like to consider ourselves fortunate as compared to people on the breadline- many of whom have lost their homes along with their livelihoods.

However dim it may seems, this may not be the right time to start heaving those accusing fingers to those who started all these follies that triggered the US sub-prime crash and consequent global credit panic. It will be much better for everyone to be hopeful. Trust in the Lord for He will provide.

Avaha and shalom.

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Listen now to the featured song: WHAT'S GOING ON by Cyndi Lauper (1987)

Cars for Sale

My colleagues at work were all shocked when we were told that my manager’s Honda Civic car was stolen as it was parked in front of the church one Sunday morning of 2003. She was attending her usual church service together with her two sons that fateful day. The thing that made it so unbelievable was it happened inside an exclusive subdivision somewhere in Greenhills, San Juan.

This is why, I find it so amusing to see these cars parked alongside major thoroughfares of Bahrain. These cars are for sale. Though there are incidents of reported cases of stolen cars here in Bahrain, most of the owners of these cars are unmindful of such risk. Chances are you will see a lot them almost anywhere in any significant vacant lots in here.

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Listen now to the featured song: CARS by Gary Numan (1979

Mabuhay si Efren Penaflorida!

CNN 2009 Heroe of the Year.

You made us proud. Mabuhay!

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See related post here.

See awarding ceremony here.