AN ECLECTIC AGRITOURISM DESTINATION
PARADIZOO, a theme park and garden cum animal farm and zoo, has opened its doors to the public every weekend for a three month-long festival celebrating three sectors of agriculture—floral, vegetable, and livestock—called “The Power of Three.”
Each month highlights one “Power,” with resource persons and industry experts invited to discuss the best agricultural practices forthat particular sector. January featured free seminars on the art of bonsai, flower arrangements, and plant care, while visitors in February enjoyed seminars on alternative and preventive medicine, health, and wellness as well as vegetable production techniques and industry opportunities. March features seminars on rabbit farming, egg production, and honey bee farming.
Located at Mendez, Cavite,Paradizoohas manydiverse attractions that can appeal to all ages and interests. There is an interactive zoo where children and adults can feed and pet animals, including Voltes V, their five-legged cow, and an albino buffalo; the more adventurous can try riding horses and camels. Farm animals and livestock like rabbits, pigs, goats, and cows, as well as fowls like ostrich, turkey, and ducks are raised at the farm in separate cages while chickens are allowed to roam freely.They are bred for meat, as pets, or as stock to continue breeding operations, and may be bought from the farm.
The Flower Garden, where assorted flowering plants are landscaped into topiaries, hedges, and beautiful floral designs, provides color to the farm. It features a butterfly garden, a bee farm, an eclectic garden, a meditation area, and a perpetual park pet cemetery.
The Vegetable Farm is planted to pineapples, root crops, leafy, and other culinary vegetables. Hydroponic and vertical gardening are also used to grow lettuce and other leafy vegetables. It has a water impounding facility and uses a drip irrigation system.The sprawling farm also has an orchard planted to coffee, bananas, and fruit trees. Integrated with the trees, ornamentals, and vegetables are assorted herbs and medicinal plants.
Within the farm are stores where its produce of honey, milk, ornamental plants, herbs, vegetables, and small animals may be bought. It also has a coffee shop where the farm’s special “Paradisoup” is served, and a souvenir shop with interesting items like hats, stuffed animals, and T-shirts.
On opening day, the ribbon cutting ceremonies were led by Zoomanity president and CEO Robert L. Yupangco with deputy COO JB Badon and guests, which included Dr. Max P.