Misamis Occidental Aquamarine Park (Part 1)

Misamis Occidental by: Hope Olano

Sometime in 2009, I got tired with the busy life in Manila so I decided to go to Misamis Occidental to have a break, away from the stresses of urban life. Misamis Occidental Aquamarine Park or MOAP was one of my itineraries , a tropical resort and a habitat for various marine mammals in Mindanao, Philippines. It is located in the boundaries of Tudela and Sinacaban municipalities of Misamis Occidental. It features a wildlife park that houses various kind of animals & a dolphin island where numerous type of dolphin species live. It has accommodations of hut-style cottages located along the line of the mangroves. Two restaurants are located within the park itself, one in the mainland and another one in the Dolphin Island.

Exploring MOAP

Before entering MOAP, you have to pay Php10.00/Head as an entrance fee. Usually the security guard collects it.  After that, you can explore around the park & free to take pictures as much as you want.  If you want to take a look at the animals in the mini wild life inside, you will have to walk on the wooden planks supported with bamboos. 

The main attraction of MOAP is the offshore man-made Dolphin Island. You need a 10 -15 minute  boat ride from the MOAP ferry port to get to the island.  The boat ride is Php130/Head.

On the island, you can actually experience the following:

• Feeding the dolphins Php100.00/Kilo of fish
• Kayaking Php100.00/Head
• Scuba Diving Php1000/Head - Diving Suits for rent are available.
• Snorkeling Php50.00/Head - Swimming with the dolphins.

Entrance Fee  - only Php10.00/Head

The Wildlife

The wildlife park houses various kind of animals mostly native to the Philippines. No entrance fee. Located inside MOAP.

Getting to the Dolphin Island

To get there, you have to walk further to the mainland restaurant area where the ferry parks in order to ride the boat that'll take you to the Dolphin Island.

The Port's main restaurant caters fresh, yummy & very affordable sea foods. To get there, you need to walk half a kilometer (like what we did) on the wooden planks supported by those bamboo poles (sea water below you).

The Ferry Boat!

Php130.00/Head

The Dolphin Island

This is where MOAP takes care of the rescued dolphins. The whole island's submerged under water. All structure are stilts to maintain them above sea level.

Water level in the island is shallow. You can even stand on some parts. Look closely at the picture, see the sudden sea water color changes - from light blue to dark blue (the sorrounding sea water must be very deep).

The restaurant located at the center of Dolphin Island.

Kayaking

GETTING THERE

VIA OZAMIS CITY

If you are planning to visit MOAP, I suggest you book in advance an accomodation prior to your flight to Ozamis City because there are no hotel or hostel accomodations in the nearby areas of Tudela & Sinacaban.  It would be more expensive if you're going to book an accomodation in MOAP specially when you're going alone. You can enjoy this kind of travel while spending less.

• By Air - Book a flight (Cebu Pacific Air/Airphil/PAL) from Manila to Ozamis City Airport. (Travel Time is 1 hour.)

• Via Ozamis - From the airport, ride a transport that'll take you to Ozamis City  (15 Minutes ETT). Check in to your accomodation.  Prepare some stuff you're going to bring when visiting MOAP.  Best time to go is in the morning!
• In going to MOAP, ride a tricycle that leads to Lotradisco Jeepney Terminal near Gaisano Mall & from there, take a jeep with Sinacaban, Jimenez or Oroquieta Signboards. These routes passes MOAP. You can even tell the jeepney conductor to drop you at MOAP.

• By Ship/Vessel - Get a ticket for Ozamis City at Superferry ticketting offices or any available shiplines. Travel Time would be longer compared to air transport.  (3 Days & 2 Nights)
• Via Ozamis City Port - Ride a Tricycle or a Tri-Sikad that'll take you to your accomodation. Prepare for your departure to MOAP.  Ride a Tricycle that'll take you to Lotradisco Jeepney Terminal near Gaisano Mall.  From there,  take a jeep with Sinacaban, Jimenez or Oroquieta Signboards.  These routes passes MOAP.

MOAP Room Rates:

Suite: Php2000/Night (2 Persons/Extra Bed is Php300)

Family: Php2000/Night (6 Persons/Extra Bed is Php200)

Dormitory: Php250/Person/Night (14 Persons Capacity)

Lamesa EcoPark

Lamesa EcoPark by:  Hope Olano

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Who would have thought that a better environment for people called "The Lamesa EcoPark" would be developed & believe it or not, it is situated right in Quezon City! 

Lamesa EcoPark is like an urban jungle, an ideal summer destination which is at the same time ecological.  It gives people a true forest & nature experience & continues to be a famous destination for family picnics & outings today.  Each can enjoy different kinds of healthful outdoor activities & recreation. Entrance fee is affordable at Php50/Head. Quezon City residents who can present a valid identification card will be charged for Php40/Head, Php20 for Quezon City students, and free of charge for Senior Citizens. Park hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily including holidays. This park is located in the heart of La Mesa Watershed in Quezon City, the primary source of drinking water in Metro Manila, owned by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, a government agency, a reservoir surrounded with a forest that serves as a carbon dioxide sink & functions as the lungs of Metro Manila providing clean air that is vital to the city.  


Exploring the EcoPark involves a lot of walking.  Facilities & activity zones can be found here. 

You can find several kiosks & huts serving foods & snacks. Some sell organic & natural beauty products & souvenir items.  You can also find blind therapists in an area inside it offering a whole or a half body massage therapy at an affordable costs. If you're too tired to walk, there are horse-drawn carriages that can take you around or the solar energy vehicle that can take you in & out of the park.


Here are some of Lamesa EcoPark's attractions:

Zip Lining

• Swimming Pool – Open to the public. Salt granules are used instead of chlorine - safer and less toxic water. Pool Rates: Php80/Head (Swimming Wear, A must!)
• Boating Lagoon – Enjoy a paddle boat ride, Php100 per 30 minutes per group of 4 people.  No need to trek all the way to Baguio’s Burnham Park just to do so. 
• Fishing Lagoon – Actual fishing is another enjoying thing to-do at the park. Fishing rods are available for rent. You can pay for your catch at Php80/Kilo.
• Picnic Grounds - spacious area, picnic spot underneath a forest of varied trees.
• Fitness and Bike Trail – You can enjoy a full-body workout under the shade of trees. Bike Rates: Php50/hour (Kiddie Bike), Php60/hour (BMX), Php70/hour (Sidecar)
• Flower Terraces – Garden of varied flowers seen in the dam wall of the reservoir.
• Ecomuseum – A museum dedicated to environmental education and conservation.
• Butterfly Trail and Hatchery – An educational walk through the wonderful, colorful world of butterflies.

Wall Climbing

• Zipline & Wall Climbing - Isn't too scary & isn't too high from the ground.  Both are good training ground for first timers.
• Paint Ball 
• Horseback Riding
• Team Building Facility
• Mini-Golf Course 

Various Pavilions for rent are also available for private functions as well as the Overnight Camping facilities.

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GETTING THERE

Around Quezon City: Take a Fairview-bound FX, Bus, or Jeepney.  Tell the driver that you're going to La Mesa EcoPark. Get off at the East Fairview Subdivision or Dahlia. At the gate, ride a tricycle that will bring you to the EcoPark.

For Private Vehicles/Taxi Cabs: La Mesa EcoPark is along Commonwealth Avenue that is accessible via EDSA passing through Quezon City Memorial Circle or via C-5 passing through Katipunan Extension (Way To Tandang Sora). Once in Commonwealth, the main landmarks are the following: if you are Fairview-Bound, you will see Sangkalan and City Oil gas station to your right and Honda showroom, PLDT/Skycable building on your left. Turn right at Pearl Street, then right to Winston, and then left at Dunhill St. 

PHOTO GALLERY: 

 

Flower Terraces

Tips:

Quezon City Hotels

Sinacaban, Misamis Occidental (Part I)

Sinacaban, Misamis Occidental, Philippines

 OUR TRIP TO SINACABAN

Sinacaban is one among the Misamis Occidental towns in Mindanao, Philippines & has been a memorable place to me.  You know why? It is because I consider this place as my home too. My family actually owns a  vacation house there, cleaned & maintained by an uncle & an aunt. In there, I had lots of fun things worth remembering during my childhood days.  When I was younger, I used to live there & visit cousins who settled there with their families. I love the forests where we used to go, the big water irrigation where we used to swim, the fresh air, the trees where we used to climb, the beaches, the streams, the deepwell, the food, the life & the people.  

So, in 2009 summer time, together with some family members, I decided to go back.  Firstly, for a vacation & secondly, to celebrate my nth (secret) birthday.  We took the Cebu Pacific - 5J flight from Manila to Dipolog airport.  From there, we took a private van that drove us back to our old house in Sinacaban town. After so many years, I was back stepping on its land again. 

The air was so different even though it was kinda warm  that day. I could even smell the strange but very familiar & scentful aroma coming from the ricefields.  The playground was grassy & green . The house was older.

About Sinacaban

It is a 5th class municipality in the province of Misamis Occidental,Philippines.You can get there by a plane or by a ship.

Sinacaban has 17 barangays:

• Bliss Project
• Cagay-anon
• Camanse
• Colupan Alto
• Colupan Bajo
• Dinas
• Estrella
• Katipunan
• Libertad Alto
• Libertad Bajo
• Poblacion
• San Isidro Alto
• San Isidro Bajo
• San Vicente
• Señor
• Sinonoc
• San Lorenzo Ruiz (Sungan)
• Tipan

These were the down views from above. Houses looked tiny. We landed around 12:30 P.M. at Dipolog Airport!
ON OUR WAY TO SINACABAN

 

 The lovable Smell of Misamis Occidental air was so fresh & irresistible! Ricefields - seen along the Hi-Way!

GETTING AROUND SINACABAN

In This Photo: Sinacaban Municipal Hall/The Quirino Park in the Poblacion/The Ramiro Center - The Gym/The Drazen Community Hospital

(All located in the Poblacion of Sinacaban)
THE FRUITS

Durian/Jackfruits/Marang

AN OLD HOUSE

This was what this old house looked like when we visited.  We also stayed there. There were trees surrounding it. Planted vegetables & fruits at the backyard! Flowers at the frontyard! Kuya Dennis (Inset)

MY BIRTHDAY

My nth! hahaha
(Laughing Out Loud)

As usually practiced, there had to be a videoke during birthdays as well as chit-chats & picture posings with some friends & relatives!

GOING TO CHURCH

Not only a part of our tradition but mainly because it's our obligation to thank & serve God & to never forget our responsibilities to HIM whatever we do, wherever we go.

GOING TO LAWIS BEACH
The beach's just a walking distance away from the house where we stayed.
We took the shortcut to be able to see some scenic views we won't be able to see if we'll take the main road in getting there!
The red mud gave us a hard time to walk and get to the beach.

It was a sunny day! Our dirty & muddy feet! (Inset)

 In This Photo: The Streams!The Fishponds!The Mangroves Everywhere!

LAWIS BEACH

  The Cottages! The Boats/Bangkas!
The Cottages
 Sea water below. Very affordable rent. Every cottage has its own videoke machines.

It usually high tides in the morning and low tides in the afternoon.

The Starfish!

TOURISM & ATTRACTION

 

Misamis Occidental Aquamarine Park

• Misamis Occidental Aquamarine Park is a resort and a habitat for various marine mammals in Mindanao, Philippines, located in the boundaries of Tudela and Sinacaban towns of Misamis Occidental. It features a wildlife park that houses animals. It also features accommodations of hut-style suite cottages along the mangrove lines. Two restaurants are located within the park itself, one on the mainland and another on the Dolphin Island.
  The main attraction is the offshore man-made island called the Dolphin Island that houses different types of Dolphin species.
  

  

  
  

Binalbal Festival

• Binalbal Festival is an annual festival held on the first of January in Tudela, Misamis Occidental, Philippines . It is a unique celebration of welcoming the new year for the townsfolk of Tudela. In this particular celebration, people wear masks and outfits that would represent their own definition of Balbal. Balbal from the local dialect, which is Cebuano, refers to a supernatural & strange-looking lifeforms:  witches, ogres, and the likes of them. Very much like a giant Halloween costume party, where people are clad in gory costumes.

GETTING THERE

• By Air -  From Manila:  Book a flight via Cebu Pacific/Airphil/PAL from Manila to either Ozamis City Airport or Dipolog Airport. Travel Time is more or less than an hour.

• From Ozamis City - Ride a Transport that'll take you to Sinacaban  (15 Minutes ETT) or  Ride a tricycle or tri-Sikad that'll take you to Lotradisco Jeepney Terminal near Gaisano Mall.  From there,  take a jeep with Sinacaban, Jimenez or Oroquieta Signboards.  These routes passes Sinacaban Town.
• From Dipolog City - Ride a Van or a Jeep for hire.  These rides will take you to Sinacaban. (2hrs. ETT)

• By Ship/Vessel - Get a ticket for Ozamis City at Superferry ticketting offices or any shiplines. Travel time would be longer compared to air transport. (3 Days & 2 Nights)
• From Ozamis City Port - Ride a tricycle or tri-Sikad that'll take you to Lotradisco Jeepney Terminal near Gaisano Mall.  From there,  take a jeep with Sinacaban, Jimenez or Oroquieta Signboards.  These routes passes Sinacaban Town.

TRAVEL TIPS:

• Flights
• Nearby Hotels
• Nearby Hostels