Animal Kingdom

After a three-year hiatus, the first zoo in Asia reopens with renovated facilities, rehabilitated water sewerage system and new animals and birds for people to meet

- Franz Sorilla IV.

Before 2021 ended, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso toured the newly refurbished Manila Zoo. For the first time, the public saw the revamped zoo, starting with the families of the construction workers who helped in the PhP1.7 billion project, as well as those who have been working in the zoo under the city’s Public Recreations Bureau (PRB).

The Manila Zoological and Botanical Garden, simply known as Manila Zoo, has been a central figure in the childhood of every Filipino, it being the staple on educational field trips or the hangout choice of families. PRB director Pio Morabe relates to this very much as he was also once a kid who loved going to the Manila Zoo.

“When I was in grade school, we’d go to Manila Zoo and have fun seeing the animals, the garden and playing there with friends,” Morabe recalls. “This is part of our heritage, just like Intramuros, Luneta and other significant spots around Manila. Generations of families have spent their time in Manila Zoo because it is a very serene and peaceful place,” he says.