Tag: farm to table

Looking for a getaway from the metro’s worsening traffic and rising temperatures? Searching for a place to experience simple pleasures, learning and healthy living?

Look no further than Paradizoo Theme Farm, a 12-hectare theme park located in Mendez, Cavite which offers a combination of paradise and zoo which is uniquely relaxing and entertaining.

Now that quarantine restrictions have been mostly lifted, you can treat yourself and the family to fun, learning and relaxation here.

Here are eight things you can do at Paradizoo Theme Farm:

1. Brush up on your farming know-how.

To help address the growing problem of food security in the country, Paradizoo recently re-unfolded its Power of Three Festival which aims to promote inclusive growth in the fields of floral, vegetable and livestock agriculture. Inviting over 20,000 students, farmers and other members of the public and private sectors to free seminars on flower, vegetable and livestock care, lively discussion on farming, planting, breeding programs, as well as exhibits of various farm produce, it will provide attendees with the inspiration to start a business in agriculture.

You can look forward to these informative and insightful activities facilitated by well-known educators and speakers in the Agriculture sector:

• February (Flower Festival Month): Art of Bonsai with Mr. Atish Dipankar Sarter (Feb 11), Flower Arrangement with Ms. Lani Lopez (Feb 18) and Idle Lands into Productive Agri-Ecotourism Farms with Mr. Ace Formaran (Feb 25)
• March (Vegetable Festival Month): Successful Entrepreneur – Dragon Fruit with Ms. Eden Gutierrez Suplente (Mar 4), Let’s ONIONIZE the Philippines – Discover the Power of Onion Farming (Mar 11) and Zooper Banana Tissue Culture Technology with Mr. Rodel Anunciado (Mar 25)
• April (Livestock / Digital Farming Festival Month): Rabbit Farming with Association of Rabbit Meat Producers (ARaMP) President Mr. Art Veneracion (Apr 8), Introduction to Honeybee Farming with Mr. Albee Marcia and Usapang Kawayan with World Bamboo Ambassador Dulce Punzalan and Digital Farming (Apr 22)

2. Get up close and personal with farm animals.

One of Paradizoo’s main attractions is Farm Frenzy, its animal farm where guests can interact with various domesticated animals from different areas in the country and all over the world such as Dorper sheep, Boer, Kalahari and Saanen dairy goats, Rusa and turkeys from Australia.

You can also participate in feeding and petting some of these critters while learning about their behavior and habits. You can even cuddle and purchase some of the lovable critters there such as rabbits, hamsters and love-birds to keep as pets.

3. Indulge your inner plant parent.

If you feel like you’re a budding plantito or plantita, then Paradizoo’s Plant Me Home area is the perfect place for you. It is the section of the park dedicated to promoting sustainable farming and educating visitors about various plants and herbs, as well as their benefits.

Here, guests can learn about buy plants and seeds as well as learn about new gardening technologies such as hydroponics (growing plants without soil). You can even participate in in tree-planting activities and contribute to the park’s efforts to promote sustainable farming practices and environmental conservation.

At Paradizoo’s Vegetable Garden, on the other hand, you can see a wondrous variety of fresh edible vegetables grown using the best practices in agriculture. You can also learn about sustainable agriculture through gardening workshops and even pick and buy vegetables from the garden to take home with you.

4. Get the buzz on beekeeping.

Paradizoo is home to a Honey Bee Farm where you can learn about the importance of bees and how they contribute to the ecosystem.

Go on a guided tour of the farm where you can observe the bees up close and learn about their behavior and role in the ecosystem. The tour also includes an explanation of the beekeeping process, how honey is produced, and the benefits of honey for human health. You can also taste and buy different types of honey produced on the farm.

5. Wonder at the grace and beauty of butterflies.

At Paradizoo’s Butterfly Garden is is a picturesque and peaceful place to visit, filled with colorful flowers, plants, and, of course, butterflies. Here, you can observe these beautiful critters in action as they fly, feed and flit from flower to flower.

You can also learn about the life cycle of butterflies – from egg to caterpillar to pupa to butterfly – as well as feed the them with nectar or fruits or witness a release of newly emerged butterflies into the garden.

6. Feast on tasty farm-grown food.

The park also houses Paradizoo Cafe, a restaurant which serves a variety of dishes made with locally grown produce and fresh ingredients. The menu features a range of Filipino and international cuisines.

The cafe has both indoor and al fresco seating options, making it an ideal place to relax and enjoy a meal while enjoying the park’s beautiful surroundings. The outdoor seating area is surrounded by greenery, providing visitors with a dining experience in the midst of nature.

The cafe specializes in farm-to-table dishes made with fresh produce grown within the park, ensuring that the ingredients are at their peak freshness and nutritional value. It also espouses sustainable dining practices through the use of eco-friendly packaging and dining utensils.

7. Achieve a state of Zen.

Enter a peaceful and relaxing state of mind by visiting Paradizoo’s Meditation Garden. Here you can find de-stress, recharge, and connect with nature by taking a leisurely walk, practicing yoga, reading a book and reflect and journal while surrounded by a beautifully landscaped scenery.

8. Take a break with a relaxing farm experience stay.

A day may not be enough time to experience all that Paradizoo Theme Farm has to offer. Take advantage of the park’s peaceful and relaxing environment, fresh air and beautiful scenery by booking a stay at its comfy and nature-inspired accommodations so you will have additional time to enjoy the park’s features.

• Log Cabin (Php6,999, good for six persons). With free entrance to ZOORI and Paradizoo plus free breakfast for four people.
• A-Frame (Php5,990, good for six persons). With free entrance to ZOORI and Paradizoo plus free breakfast for four people.
• Tiny House 1 (Php3,990, good for four persons). With free entrance to ZOORI and Paradizoo plus free breakfast for two people.
• Tiny House 2 and 3 (Php1,999, good for two people). With free entrance to ZOORI and Paradizoo plus free breakfast for two people.

Extra persons are charged Php700, inclusive of free entrance to ZOORI and Paradizoo, plus free breakfast.

Now that the city life is becoming busier and more stressful, it makes a lot of sense to escape into the beauty of nature in places such as Paradizoo every once in a while.

Paradizoo Theme Farm is operated by the Zoomanity Group, a leading provider of theme parks and attractions in the Philippines, with a focus on sustainable tourism and responsible animal care.

It is located at Km. 63, Panungyan, Mendez, Cavite, open daily from 8am to 5pm.

Book your eco-farm journey by emailing zoomanityonline@gmail.com or by calling +63 046 4131244 | +63 966 1938965. Know more about Paradizoo and other Zoomanity’s attractions at zoomanity.com.ph.

Here’s a tip: you can get discounted ticketsto Paradizoo Theme Farm by signing up for a free YOGO customer account and booking via the YOGO PH app (download now on Google Play or the App Store).

You can also book your tickets via Klook.

Entrance rate for adults is Php199/head while for children within 3 feet- to 4 feet in height is Php149/head. Entrance for children below 3 feet is free while senior citizens and PWDs are afforded 20% discount upon presentation of ID.

Additional fees for activities include:

• Animal Feeding: Php150/set
• Horse Back Ride: Php100/2 rounds
• Bees & Butterfly Garden: Php30/head
• Fish Spa: Php149/30 mins
• Tree Planting: Php100/tree

Check out my previous posts about Zoomanity Group’s attractions:

Disclosure: Together with media personnel and fellow content creators, I was invited by the Zoomanity Group to tour and experience the attractions at the Paradizoo Theme Farm.  The tour was sponsored by the company and was not paid for by the attendees including myself.