Today, we remember Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. for his the struggles in fighting dictatorship which led to his death on August 21, 1986. In Quezon City, a nature park was named after him –the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Nature Center.
This park started as a portion of the Quezon Memorial National Park which was established in July 5, 1954. The original plan was an area of 197.8 hectares. In 1969, the National Park was reduced to its present size of 64.58 hectares.
The park has a number of entrances. Its pedestrian entrance however is located along Quezon Avenue. The gate from this entrance opens to a wide, two-lane asphalted road.
The Administration building stands at the end of the road. A bust of Ninoy Aquino is in front of the building.
To the right are two giant cages that used to serve as the original sanctuary of the endangered Philippine eagle. The eagles have been moved to the Philippine Eagle Center. The cages now house some parrots and cockatoos.
Taking the winding road to the right is an entrance to the Aquatic House where several aquariums display different type of freshwater fishes. At the back of the Aquatic House is an open cage which housed the endangered Palawan Bearded Pig.
Walking further is the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) and the Wildlife Rescue Center. PAWB has a mandate of collecting endangered species from illegal traders and pet owners. These animals are nursed back to health before they are set loose in their original habitat in the wild.
From birds to reptiles to huge snakes to various type mammals, the exhibit never failed to amuse both young and old.
As we walk around the gardens, we discovered many interesting corners scattered on the park’s wide landscape. There are various Philippine flora that provide shade to several picnic areas, cottages, playgrounds, and a lagoon!
Concealed in lushness is a huge man-made lagoon. The lagoon is still, except for ripples made by the fishes that broke this huge body of water’s stillness. On the far side of the lake are native like houses that rest on slim pillars which are framed against the backdrop of abundant greenery.
This cluster of native looking houses is for rent and can be reached by a long circuitous route towards a place called the Fishing Village. Fishing is not allowed and there are no boats to rent as we initially thought. But that is a good thought.