Avilon Zoological Park, Montalban Rizal

My daughter, Heather Rose, is in 2nd grade and they always have field trips in different places and I always allow her to join and participate. Why? for her to learn! Learning is not just by books and lessons that you hear from your teachers because I believe "actual lessons" is much better! I'm not saying its not good to study in the school but rather have a "better" judgement on things that you have learned personally will give you more understanding. 

Today,  they decided to visit Avilon Zoo in Barrio Isidro Rodriguez , Montalban,  Marikina Science Centrum and Marikina Shoe factory. I may say,  Avilon Zoo is very far from our location cause it took us 3-4 hours to travel.  Anyways,  Its quite interesting to visit there.

Avilon  Montalban  Zoological  Park is the largest park  in  the Philippines that consist of  7.5 hectares (75,000 square meters)  that really made us "pagod and gutom" after the tour . It has a wide range of 3000 specimens of exotic and indigenous animals represented by more than 600 species of birds,  reptiles , fishes  as well as 400 species of plants. Tour guides are all very accommodating with our "pangungulit" because most of our children are asking to many questions about animals,  birds and plants their natures and their habitat. 

Entrance fees and Schedules:
Adult     - Php 300.00
Children - Php 200.00
1 yr below - Free
Open Mon-Fri 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Weekends 8:00 am - 5:00 pm


Address :
Barrio San Isidro, Rodriguez (formerly known as Montalban) , Rizal
Tel.nos. 632- 948-9866 / 941-8393 / 871-9358


How to get there :
From Cubao, Quezon City via Commonwealth

Take the Fairview or Lagro Buses.  Both Buses will pass to East Ave., QC Circle along  Commonwealth Ave., and Philcoa Area,  then ask the driver's helper or "konduktor"  to drop you off  (markings could be Jollibee on your right (before U.P. entrance) .  

Take another jeepney ride or FX Taxis bound to San Mateo or Montalban. and ask the driver tho drop you off at the Eastwood Greenview Subdivision near Total Gas Station  and there you can ask the passersby the location of Avilon zoo to walk by approximately its just 100 meters or just take a pedicab or tricycle.

From Cubao you can also take Marikina then take another ride going to Montalban,  same instructions and landmarks will also follow .

Things to bring:
Camera
Mosquito repellant
Umbrella
Food and drinks - also available in the zoo in affordable prices

Additional money - because you may want to buy some souvenirs from the shop

the biggest fish i ever saw 

  

her attention is on the donkey, afraid of getting to be leaked

Heather Rose was really afraid to get near her

Heather Rose is trying to get out from me

she is loveable

Fort Santiago and the Walled City, Intramuros, Manila

Intramuros, Manila a place that I will never forget because it is very significant to my life , I spent 18 years of  my time in Intramuros. I studied in Lyceum and lived as a dormitorian,  for 4 years  I explored the whole area, Puerta del Parian, Walled City, Kiosk, Manila Cathedral, San Agustin Church,  Palacio del Gobernador and Fort Santiago actually including Carriedo ,  Fairmart, Isetann, Uniwide Sales and the 1st store of  SM in Carriedo. 

When I'm already working , still,  I chose to work along the area,  why?  because I love the place,  It gives me the feeling of yesteryears,  the struggle of  our heroes that gives me strength to worked hard.

Intramuros is the Spanish term for "within walls" or "Walled City".  It was located along Manila Bay and connected to Pasig River. It was built by the Spaniards as a defensive walls to protect the seat of Spanish Government from foreign invasions.

In 1951, Intramuros was declared as a Historical Monument and Fort Santiago as a National Shrine. 

Fort Santiago (Fuerza de Santiago or Moog ng Santiago) is one of the most important historical site in Manila .  Several lives were lost in its prisons during Spanish period  and Dr. Jose Rizal was imprisoned here before he was executed at the Bagumbayan in 1896.All his memorabilia  are displayed here including his embedded footsteps ( representing his final walk from his cell to Bagumbayan) on the ground made out of Bronze.  We are trying to count the footsteps but we lost count in the middle of it.

Jose Rizal cell

How to get there:
If you have your own vehicle :  from Makati
just take Buendia / Gil puyat Ave and turn right on Roxas Blvd. You will pass Rizal Park (on your right) and Manila Hotel (on your left) If you reach Anda Circle in Port Area turn right again,  landmark Palacio de Governador and Manila Cathedral on your right and on your left is Intramuros Fire Station just turn left and you will see Fort Santiago actually after CF Sharp Building.

from Quezon City:
just take Quezon Ave. and you will pass España , Lerma and Quiapo you will cross Quezon Bridge and then turn right on the riverside at the back of  Manila Post Office then straight ahead then turn right on the old Royal Savings Bank building then you will see Manila Cathedral and Palacio de Governador on your left  and you will see CF Sharp building so just turn right and you will already see Fort Santiago.

Manila Cathedral - just across Fort Santiago

Manila Cathedral

Beside Manila Cathedral is Palacio de Gobernador

How to commute to Fort Santiago by public transportation
from LRT   : take Caloocan bound train and drop off at Central station just take a walk up to the foot of Quezon bridge or Manila Post office,  you will see "Pier" sign and ask the driver that you will take off at  "Fort Santiago" or Manila Cathedral (across)  fare Php 8.00 per pax

from Baclaran : take FX taxi Divisoria sign and ask the driver that you will take off at Palacio de Governador , Intramuros just take a walk across it and you will see Fort Santiago
fare : Php 20.00 to Php 30.00 per pax

From Quezon City :  just take "Pier" sign and they will drop you off just in front of Manila Cathedral or Fort Santiago ,  fare Php 20.00 - Php 30.00 per pax

Entrance Gate of  Fort Santiago

Entrance Fee : Fort Santiago

When I'm still studying in Lyceum, entrance fee is around Php 10.00 per person that's why most of the students from nearby schools like San Juan de Letran,  Mapua and Lyceum this place is their secret hideout  together with their boyfriend or girlfriend and most of the time you can see families taking pictures.

Now,  entrance fee is a bit higher and you are not allowed to bring SLR/DSLR camera
Php 50.00   Students must present I.D.
Php 75.00   Adults
must bring  additional money cause it may change

seated at the cannon

"the Calesa"

An empty shell of Mortar - Spanish era and WWII

As you can see,  Fort Santiago was heavily secured because of its thick stone walls,  the entrance is quite small but 40 meters high. The surrounding walls are 22 meters high and 8 meters thick.

This site is now being used as a theater like what we did before

Fort Santiago was the site of the palace of Rajah Sulaiman, a muslim chieftain of pre-Spanish era, but it was destroyed by Martin de Goiti upon arriving from Cebu in 1570 and it encountered several bloody battles and destroyed the natives and built Fuerza de Santiago after the establishment of City of Manila under Spanish rule.

During WWII,  it also been used as prisons and dungeons  for hundreds of prisoners who were killed during the war.

Fort Santiago stands as a witness to the valor and heroism of the Filipino who fought against Spanish, Americans and Japanese invaders. It is now consider as part of the historical park including Plaza de Moriones and Rizal Shrine.

If you really want to take pictures just bring an ordinary digital camera because you may not be able to take pictures if you will bring SLR. Also, additional pocket money because they have a canteen or just in front of the Manila Cathedral there's a lot of restaurant there.