In decades past, Filipino overseas
travelers who have made it at least as far as Hong Kong would have likely
gotten a chance to catch some spectacular marine mammal shows and go on
numerous amusement rides in Ocean Park Hong Kong. A desire to have a similar
oceanarium/amusement park complex in the Philippines came true in the 21st
Century when Manila Ocean Park opened its doors in 2008. A popular local
tourist destination near Rizal Park, Manila Ocean Park was significantly
affected by the COVID pandemic, outright closing its doors. But that health
issue-mandated shutdown has come to an end.
CNN Philippines reports that Manila Ocean Park reopened this
Thursday, October 21, after a lengthy closure due to the global pandemic. The
reopening ceremony was attended by Manila Vice-Mayor Honey Lacuna, making
Manila Ocean Park one of the most significant businesses to resume operation
following the easing of Alert Levels in the city since Wednesday, October 20.
The oceanarium had been shuttered for more than a year, and its reopening could
help to reverse its losses in that lean period.
In a statement during Manila
Ocean Park’s reopening, Vice-Mayor Lacuna expressed hope that like this tourist
attraction, other establishments in Manila can “get back on track” with
business. That way, more jobs can be revived for the unemployed affected by the
pandemic, and thus contribute to the revival of the national economy. "You
are conveying a clear message that we are almost getting out of the tunnel and
beginning to see the light," says Lacuna.
Even with Manila now at a more
lenient pandemic Alert Level 3, there are still restrictions in place for the
many businesses now resuming their operations. For Manila Ocean Park, they will
only allow guests who have been fully vaccinated (usually two shots, most vaccines). These fully-vaccinated guests to Ocean Park must also
be between 18 and 65 years of age. The oceanarium is only open to visitors for four
days in a week, Thursday to Sunday, 10AM to 6PM.
Image courtesy of ABS-CBN News
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