PARADIZOO: Celebrating the Fruits of the Agriculture Industry

“Treat the earth well. It was not given to you by your parents. It is loaned to you by your children.”

Whenever I think of this proverb, one thing always comes to mind – Paradizoo Theme Park. Located in Mendez, Cavite, Paradizoo wholeheartedly commit in taking care of the environment and cultivates it for the generations to come, making it an ideal site for picnics, educational trips, outings and team buildings. So check out Paradizoo and be mesmerized with a garden Mother Nature built and experience paradise on Earth.

Recently, I got the chance to attend Paradizoo’s Power of Three Event, a floral, vegetable and agri-livestock fair. An enchanting spectacle of farmland and botanical garden welcomed us as we enter Paradizoo. The tour began with a stroll at the Farm Frenzy where it showcased a charming display of flora and fauna. In addition, there was also a demonstration on how to properly milk a goat and to shear wool. Next stop was the Butterfly Garden. I find it amusing to watch the butterflies dance around us while listening to a brief discussion about our winged friends. Then, a lecture about honey-making and the bee colony followed at the Bee Farm. Paradizoo really offers a lot of fun-filled educational activities that the whole family can enjoy.

Another highlight of Paradizoo is the floral landscape in a red carpet ensemble called the Stairway to Heaven. Fittingly, it ushered us towards the Orchid Pavilion and the Infinity Pond to which offered an overlooking view of the breathtaking floral paradise – Paradizoo. At the Pavilion, while taking lunch, we also feasted our eyes on the Bonsai Exhibit and the various flower arrangements courtesy of the Floral Designers of the Philippines. It was also during this time that we learned more about Paradizoo and its future plans. Then we headed to what is literally a tour of the famous folk song “Bahay Kubo.” All the 18 veggies mentioned in “Bahay Kubo” are in display to our amusement and it instantly became a personal favorite. Another personal favorite is the Noah’s Ark, a comforting means to express lasting tribute to our pets by selecting a burial vault and permanent marker. Closing the Paradizoo Tour was the greyhound racing. Paradizoo surely offers a unique, fruitful experience.

Before finally calling it a day, we rested at the Residence Inn as the final leg of the tour. Here, we enjoyed back-to-back world class acts from the snake charmer Serpentina and a fusion of animal show and magic show into one. The Residence Inn also offers a lot of exciting activities to do like Wall Climbing and Horseback Riding. And one shouldn’t simply miss a ride on the Cable Car and the Zipline. But to top it all, I think the best part is enjoying the serenity of the moment while sipping a hot “ginataan” and being captivated by the view of the majestic Taal Volcano. The Paradizoo-Residence Inn Tour is really worthwhile. So take time to visit these wonderlands and be part in the noble cause of making the country one big green park.

Learn more about Paradizoo at www.zoomanity.com.ph

Cheers to the Yesteryear!

Image courtesy of futuresobright.com

The year that was had finally ended with a bang. Well, not the doomsday kind of finale, but with the usual extravagant display of pyrotechnics bidding 2012 goodbye and welcoming the new year on a very high note. Although surviving 2012 was not easy, it nonetheless presented opportunities for us to develop our character as individuals and as a nation. Thus, 2012 is regarded as one of the most momentous time in Philippine history.

It was in the year 2012 that we, as a nation, though divided, witnessed yet another spectacle of traditional politics at its best with the ousting of the supreme magistrate of the land. Then soon after comes the much heated debate on the Reproductive Health Bill that sends the country in partition among fundamentalists and idealists. I believe that these divisions, among many others, are results of how we have become less apathetic of traditional politics. Evidently, we were in unison as we grieve for the loss of the late DILG secretary Jesse Robredo, whom we look up as a beacon of good governance. And remarkably, we were all hands in defense of our national territory in a stand-off with the aggressive China.

Then, being one of the most social media savvy, we Pinoys managed to forward our cause and defend out freedom of expression over the world wide web via the Black Protest which overturned the passing of the controversial Cybercrime Law. On the other hand, however, I think some netizens failed to realize that not even the freedom of expression is absolute. It does not give us the privilege to harass anyone by posting mean-spirited messages online which could lead to cyberbullying. Hence, I hope we can all be more responsible posting over our social feeds. We all know It's for the better, you can't say #Amalayer, pun intended.

Last year also offered good sources of inspiration and international recognition courtesy of the Fighter of the Year win of the Filipino Flash Nonito Donaire. In addition, the Philippines is also recognized as one of the top tourist destination in the world. Plus, Filipino beauty is not to be outclassed after the back-to-back-to-back runner up wins in the most prestigious beauty pageant in the world, the Miss Universe, with the recent addition of first runner up Ms. Janine Tugonon. And in a predominantly Catholic state, we also saw divine inspiration with the canonization of the second Filipino saint Pedro Calungsod. More importantly, the Philippine economy was at its best for the past decade. On a more personal note, it was last year that I started to officially write blogs. So this year, let's prep up our new year's resolution, try out as many firsts and, together, look forward to a better year ahead. Cheers!

Blackbeard's Seafood Island: Seafood Supreme

It's that time of year once again when good friends and relatives come together to celebrate the sundry festivities of the season. And because we love to create wonderful bonding moments, we never ran out of things to do. From plain chit-chats to shopping to just about anything, we really can't pass out creating moments after moments with our loved ones. Especially us, Pinoys, not even dining is a bonding-moment-free zone. That's why we have Boodle Feast (Eating together directly from the same big banana leaf lined boodle tray). And best of all, Blackbeard's Seafood Island got us covered.

Blackbeard's Seafood Island creatively reinvented the Filipino dining experience by bringing to the market the very first and original Boodle Feasts. It provides customers with a variety of island-inspired Filipino dishes in a setting perfect for sharing and making great bonding experience. Whether in developing its menu and the stylish interior while staying true to it's core values of "Seafood, Sarap, Saya," Blackbeard's Seafood Island offers the best seafood dining experience.

Only last week, Blackbeard's Seafood Island has landed on the shores of Harbor Point, Subic. We were welcomed by a band that sets the celebratory mood for the grand opening of its new annex. The Pinoy Nachos, served as an appetizer, surely stimulated our taste buds, leaving us wanting for more. The Calamares Fritos, another appetizer, instantly became a personal favorite. The crunchiness and flavor of this dish is really superb. And for the main dish, we were treated with Panlasang Pinoy, a Boodle Feast where the distinct flavors of Hipon sa Aligue, Ginataang Alimango, Adobong Manok, Kare-Kareng Gulay, Ensaladang Lato with Crispy Dilis and Plain Rice are laid out to our heart's satisfaction. There are really a lot of things to love about Blackbeard's Seafood Island experience. A bonding extreme fit for all year long!

Pinoy Nachos                                            Calamares Fritos                                                 Panlasang Pinoy

Experience seafood extreme bonding at your nearest Blackbeard Seafood Island:

Trinoma Mall (Quezon City), Technohub (Commonwealth Ave.,Quezon City), Eastwood (Quezon City), Marquee Mall (Angeles  City, Pampanga), Shopwise Market Arcade (Araneta Center, Cubao), Alabang Town Center (Muntinlupa City), SM Mall of Asia (Pasay City), Pavillion Mall (Biñan, Laguna), SM Marikina (Marikina City),  Abreeza Ayala Mall (Davao City), Nuvali (Sta. Rosa, Laguna), Greenbelt 3 (Makati City), Market! Market! (Taguig Global City), SM City Lipa (Lipa City, Batangas), SM Manila (Ermita, Manila), SM Masinag (Antipolo City), SM Southmall (Las Pinas City), Robinsons Galleria (Pasig City), SM Ecoland Davao (Davao City), Baguio Ayala Technohub (Camp John Hay Loakan Road, Baguio City), Robinsons Magnolia (Quezon City)