Ayala Triangle Gardens and the Annual Lights and Sounds Show

Ayala Triangle Gardens and the Annual Lights and Sounds Show. If you are looking for some special place to visit this coming Holiday Season in Metro Manila, then I would suggest visiting the Ayala Triangle Annual Lights and Sounds Show.

The lights and sounds show which started last November 16, 2012, run daily until December 30 2012 , show start at 6pm  plays every 30 minutes to 9pm.

If I am not mistaken the tradition started on 2010 Holiday Season, I was lucky to be there last year Christmas 2011 and record the show, for this year I would definitely visit the show again.

This post is not meant to show you the latest show but it is an invitation should you are visiting the Philippines and Manila in particular OPT recommend the Ayala Triangle Annual Lights and Sounds Show. Below are photos and a complete video of the 2011 show.

Watch Ayala Triangle 2012 Lights and Sounds Show

How to Get There?

The Ayala Triangle Gardens is located in middle of three major thoroughfares in the Makati CBD: Ayala Avenue, Makati Avenue, and Paseo de Roxas.

Along EDSA, Get off at MRT Ayala Station, then walk to the carpark terminal, then take a jeepney with Ayala/Washington signboard, get off at unloading zone in front of the Philippine Stock Exchange and walk your way to the Ayala Triangle Garden.

From LRT Buendia Station, board a bus with signboard Ayala/Rustans,get off at unloading zone past Paseo de Roxas, walk back towards Paseo de Roxas and use the pedestrian underpass to get to Ayala Triangle Gardens


Where to Park?

Available parking areas Ayala Triangle Gardens are the Gabriela Silang Parking (along Makati avenue, corner Ayala avenue) and the Basement parking of the Tower One & Exchange Plaza (entrance is in front of Tower One, you can enter through the Makati Stock Exchange driveway along Ayala Avenue).

Ayala Triangle Gardens as Seen on Wikimapia

Enchanted Kingdom, Sta. Rosa, Laguna

Enchanted Kingdom, Sta.Rosa, Laguna. Seventeen years the magic lives on, yes Enchanted Kingdom is now nearing its 20 years of existence. Probably most of my visitors who are reading this post may have visited the park at one time or provably more times of their life. This may be during a school outing or a special treat on past Holiday Season from your parents when you were a kid or with your barkadas.

Again Holiday Season is now around the corner, it's time to bring the kids where they love most, rides in themed park and the Enchanted Kingdom is one of the obvious choice.

On my personal opinion I see the park have not changed much since it open its gates 17 years ago, there was no major addition of rides or attractions. The only major addition that I can consider is the Extreme Tower Ride a 150 foot drop tower ride introduced sometime in 2010.

Never the less the park is still the best themed park in the country, the place is well maintained, there are a lot of rides and activities that one can enjoy. One whole day may not be enough to experience all the rides and attractions especially during the Holidays when the park is usually crowded, best to go on regular days. Ride includes the classic Ferries Wheel and the Carousel, there are also the extreme and not too extreme rides, the Roller Coaster, the Space Shuttle, the Tower Ride, Raging Rapids, Bump Boats, Bump Cars and Go Kart etc., another attraction of the park that should not be missed is the 30 seats 4D Discovery Theater.

How to get there?

Enchanted Kingdom Shuttle bus service is operated from the EDSA Car Park at Ayala Center. Buy your tickets 2 hours in advance at the Group Sales Office.

Schedules are as of today’s date December 2, 2012, you may need to visit the park website for updated shuttle service schedules. http://www.enchantedkingdom.ph

Travel to Enchanted Kingdom

Mondays and Tuesday| Closed
Wednesday to Friday | 1:30am
Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays | 10:30am / 12:30pm

Return from Enchanted Kingdom

Wednesday to Friday | 7:00pm
Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays | 6:00pm / 9:00pm

How to get to EDSA Car Park, Ayala Center:

Along EDSA, Get off at MRT Ayala Station, then walk to the carpark terminal.

From LRT Buendia Station, Board a bus with signboard Ayala/Rustans, get off at Rustan's then walk to the carpark terminal.

Enchanted Kingdom as Seen on Wikimapia

Amana Water Park, Pandi, Bulacan

Amana Water Park, Pandi, Bulacan is the biggest water park that I have been to, and there are still a lot of expansion going on, since the last time we were there. The park highlight is a 3,500 square meter wave pool that produces diamond waves, claimed to be the biggest in the Philippines.

The park theme suggest that it target the young kids there are smaller pools with life size cartoon characters theme designs which are scattered all over the park and a 40-foot man-made waterfall. The park offers several types of cottages and a picnic grove to wide range of budget. The park also has a Zip Line that traverse the main wave pool. As an added attraction the park offers horseback rides, fishing facility, a 3D Maxrider and a souvenir shop.

Watch the Amana Water Park Wave Pool Video

Soft drinks are not allowed inside the park. You have to buy them at food stalls inside the park. However bottled water are allowed, suggest bringing lots of drinking water. Cooking gas or gas canister for portable stove and grill are not allowed, portable charcoal grills are available for rent, bring your own charcoal if you do not want to be charge extra. Rice cooker is also allowed electrical outlets are available on every cottage. Bring your entire plates, cups and kitchen utensils , bring as much food and luggage as you can, trolley and transport are available to take you to your cottage.

One negative thing to remember about the park is the stench from nearby piggeries or poultries this will turn anyone off especially if you are not used to the smell. Worse if you have a foreign guest surely you can receive a lot negative comments.

Aside for the inconvenience on the construction on some parts of the park and the lingering stench, everything should be alright. The park is pretty big and popular therefore expect hundreds of visitors in the wave pool especially during holidays and weekends.

Going there is fairly easy, travel north to the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) when coming from Metro Manila, take the Bucaue exit towards Sta. Maria - Pandi and Angat National Road to Bagong Bario. There are a lot of directional sign along the maze like route. Going back to NLEX on your way home is very difficult, suggest to remember landmarks on your way to the park.

Amana Water Park as Seen on Wikimapia

Nuvali, Sta Rosa, Laguna

Nuvali, Sta Rosa, Laguna is now becoming one of the must visit place while in Sta. Rosa, Laguna or a whenever on your way to Tagaytay via Sta. Rosa. Nuvali is being developed as the next financial district south of Makati in collaboration between Ayala Land and the Yulo Family.

As of this date the commercial center Solenad 1 and Solenad 2 are already, but most significant is a 4-hectare multi-functional lake, surrounded by green local plants where one can feed the countless koi, ride the water taxi or simply dine on one of the restaurants at Soledad 1 and Soledad 2. Novali has also a wildlife and bird sanctuary place for bird watching. Jog or bike around the lush biking and jogging lanes or play your favourite sports at The Fields.

Nuvali is less than an hour drive from Makati through the Sta. Rosa Exit of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX). It is along the Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Road, about 5km away towards Tagaytay.

Watch the Nuvali Koi Video

Nuvali as Seen on Wikimapia