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Sunday, February 23, 2025 Vol. 20 No. 134
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CREATURES’ PARADISE FROM SEA TO FOREST Subic Freeport’s anchor tourist attraction Ocean Adventure leverages popularity for a purpose: to educate, empower and excite
AERIAL ACROBATICS Dolphins Nala and Enzo perform aerial acrobatics during the “Dolphin Friends” show at the Ocean Adventure marine theme park. HENRY EMPEÑO
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By Henry Empeño
UBIC BAY FREEPORT—On any given day, barring only extreme weather conditions, hundreds of visitors venture into this water wonderland to watch spectacular shows. In this place, where the dense Ilanin Forest West meets the gentle waters of Subic Bay, the dolphin pair Enzo and Nala would astound guests with water acrobatics, and Sophie the sea lion would pose for photo souvenirs.
SOPHIE the sea lion gives her trainer a kiss. SBMEI
VISITORS crowd the El Capitan amphitheater during an episode of the “Dolphin Friends” show at the Ocean Adventure marine theme park. SBMEI
NALA the dolphin poses with a park visitor during an animal encounter program at the Ocean Adventure marine theme park. HENRY EMPEÑO
But there is more than the spectacular that meets the eye here: because at the end, there is that insight—yet undefined, but inescapable—that inspires visitors to care and take action. The Ocean Adventure, a marine zoological park in this free port and reputedly the first openwater marine theme park in Southeast Asia, is one of the most popu-
lar tourism attractions in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. Operated by the Subic Bay Marine Exploratorium Inc. (SBMEI), the 13-acre property is built around the Camayan Pier, which was originally used by the US Navy for loading and unloading ammunition to and from the nearby Naval Magazine. But today, almost an eternity away from its warlike past, this remote
Subic beachfront has evolved into a sanctuary that soothes both the soul and the senses. This extraordinary park, which is SBMEI’s flagship attraction, was built at a cost of $7.5 million and launched on October 25, 2001. Immediately, it became hugely popular because of its animal interaction program whereby visitors could watch, feed and interact with marine animals that initially included false killer whales saved from whaling. The following year, the Camayan Beach Resort opened, with the seaside restaurant The Reef as its main attraction. The three-story, 84-room Camayan Beach Hotel
with swimming pool would come in soon after. Later, the SBMEI put up two more park brands: Adventure Beach Waterpark, the first water playground in the Subic Bay Freeport, which opened in 2018; and Adventure Cove, a getaway for day trips, camping, corporate events, and special occasions, which was launched in 2023.
Park With a Cause
OVER the years, the Ocean Adventure theme park complex has become a purpose-driven business venture where nature fully exhibits its primeval ability to provide life lessons amidst a modern setting.
SBMEI President Robert Gonzaga tells BusinessMirror that the company had always aimed to provide a safe environment where animals and humans can interact, leading to enriching experiences for both. “What people take away are unforgettable memories with family and friends, as well as a reinforced message that we need to protect the environment and all of the flora and fauna in it,” says Gonzaga. Hence, the “Sea Lion Marine Patrol” show, where Sophie the sea lion playfully kisses someone in the audience, actually teaches visitors the importance of recycling and fighting pollution. Similarly, the spectacular water ballet of Enzo
TRAINERS let a visitor get the feel of handling a Burmese python at the Ocean Adventure’s Wild World show. SBMEI
and Nala and the other dolphins in the water park serves as a platform to educate people about animal care, habitat protection and nature conservation. That message is also amplified in the “Wild World” presentation, where the audience may pet terrestrial animals that were rescued from the wilds. Taking it further, the SBMEI has partnered with volunteers and government agencies like the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to help injured Continued on A2
PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 57.9920 n JAPAN 0.3876 n UK 73.4701 n HK 7.4575 n CHINA 8.0110 n SINGAPORE 43.4983 n AUSTRALIA 37.1033 n EU 60.9090 n KOREA 0.0405 n SAUDI ARABIA 15.4646 Source: BSP (February 21, 2025)