Few Filipinos know that we live in the center of what is called the Coral Triangle – the global epicenter of marine biodiversity. In fact, we are the only country to be located within it in entirety. Furthermore, in Philippine waters is a place scientists have dubbed “the center of the center”, the single place on earth with the highest concentration of different kinds of marine species in any given area on the globe.

Strangely enough, the Philippines is also one of the few countries in the Asia-Pacific region that does not have an oceanarium. That, however, is going to change come February 2008. In that month, the first phase of the Philippines’ first and only marine-themed amusement park, the Manila Ocean Park (MOP), will finally be open to the public. Aside from being the first of its kind in the country, Manila Ocean Park will also be the first establishment in the Asia-Pacific region to offer a marine-themed fusion experience, featuring a high-class hotel, a mall and an oceanarium in one massive structure. It will even have enclosed diving areas and a venue for events like weddings and company gatherings.

Its proponent, China Oceanis Philippines Inc. (COPI), is a subsidiary of China subsidiary of the Singaporean company China Oceanis Pte Ltd of the China Oceanis Group of Companies. The projects include world-renown oceanariums such as the Nanjing Underwater World, the Tai Ping Yang Underwater World, the Qin Huang Dao Xinao Underwater World and Chong Qing Xinao Underwater World, all in China.

COPI invested over PhP 1 billion towards this historic endeavor. One of the single largest investments in the of the year in the Philippines, the amount went towards the year-long construction of the concrete structures perched just on the water’s edge, as well as the extensive requirements for the care of the featured marine animals, including the state-of-the art technology designed to run the life support systems for the 200,000 fish from 300+ species who will soon find themselves living there. Almost all the animals were sourced from within the Philippines archipelago, symbolizing the richness of the waters surrounding the 7,100 islands.
Among the most anticipated of the Manila Ocean Park’s attractions are the 23-foot long underwater acrylic tunnel, the fish foot spa, and the glass-bottomed boat, which takes passengers for 20-minute rides.

The acrylic tunnel, MOP’s oceanarium’s crowning glory, is made from 90mm-thick acrylic and is located along the bottom of a 500-gallon tank filled with over 10,000 fish. Patrons visiting this attraction will be given an experience approximating that of walking across the sea floor surrounded by thriving marine life.

Manila Ocean Park is more than just a place to spend a relaxing afternoon, though. It a strong environmental conservation message, determined to bring about a change in the way the Filipino people see and treat the sea. Through the responsible collection and display of exotic and indigenous marine wildlife, they hope to educate the public about the plight of the Philippine seas and inspire action towards conservation and preservation of the marine environment.