‘Funtastic summer’ at Nayong Pilipino

MANILA, Philippines - National cultural, historical and geographic showcase Nayong Pilipino is adding a new dimension to the now popular line “It’s more fun in the Philippines.”

The twist comes with the advent of summer, aptly highlighting Nayong Pilipino as an emerging picnic capital of the Philippines.

Nestled on a six-hectare sprawl of landscaped greenery inside the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga, the Nayong Pilipino gives picnickers and their families a wide array of native and scenic Philippine environs defined by their eras and geographic settings — from north to south of the archipelago and from the pre-colonial past to the liberation era of the country’s history.

“Thus, the people will literally have a walk in the park and all the fun that goes with it as they are made to witness the key segments of Philippine history and experience the rich diversity of Filipino culture in living color,” said Nayong Pilipino Foundation chair Grace Panagsagan, referring to the iconic historical landmarks, cultural performances, souvenir shops, colorful orchidarium, large golden tilapia breeding ponds, and nature-inspired picnic groves.

“The fun-filled multi-sensory experience at Nayong Pilipino is not just about sights and sounds, but also taste, featuring in the future a culinary adventure into orchid salads and sumptuous golden tilapia as part of the native menu,” Panagsagan said.

“It’s like a reality show about fascinating stories that unfold along the way as told by experienced tour guides who lead guests in a seeming walkthrough along the various facets of Philippine history, including culture, nature and adventure,” Panagsagan added.

The cultural performances, according to foundation executive director Apolonio Anota Jr., are scheduled from Wednesday to Saturday at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and on Sundays at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

“There is also the ‘Laro-Aral’ from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily except Sunday since Nayong Pilipino is a center for teaching culture through play, with indigenous weaving, carving and other traditional craftsmanship shown in their respective villages. It will open a museum of Philippine textiles, highlighting the uniqueness of hand-woven fabrics,” Anota said.

Both a cultural and learning hub, Nayong Pilipino also showcases Philippine architecture, dances, music, color and costumes covering the entire breadth of the country’s 174 ethno-linguistic communities.

This tourism facility is also bound to become a hub of performing arts like theater, and visual arts like painting and sculpture.

In the pipeline is a center for advanced studies leading to a master’s degree in park planning, design and management. It will also establish itself as the main research center for orchid propagation, cross-breeding and cultivation of new varieties.

As the biggest golden tilapia breeder, Nayong Pilipino will soon feature technologies in raising this food fish, including aeration systems and pond design and management.

Design for e-buildings based on native architecture will be part of the curriculum. A school for rondalla will also be opened.

Thus, Nayong Pilipino is a preferred destination for teachers, students, professionals, and foreign and domestic tourists who want to take advantage of the vast knowledge that they can gain from their visits.

Situated inside the Clark Freeport zone and only about an hour’s drive from the Balintawak tollgate of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), Nayong Pilipino is easily accessible by land from north and south of Luzon.

Nayong Pilipino is near the former Clark Expo and just five minutes away from the Clark International Airport.  It is accessible from all the freeport gates and offers free transport service from SM Clark and Parksons.

One of Southeast Asia’s most beautifully landscaped parks, Nayong Pilipino has so far been visited by almost 200,000 people this year. This number is expected to double by 2015.

Entrance tickets are priced at P50 for adults aged 16 and above, and P30 for children aged 15 and below. The parking fee is only P20 and picnic table rental fee is P100 and up.

Visitors coming from the NLEX may take the Dau exit and turn left to Mac-Arthur Highway, then turn right to the Clark main gate.