Manila Zoo Blog ni Fran

When I was six years old, my family and I went to Manila, and one of the most memorable parts of that trip was visiting Manila Zoo. It was my first time seeing animals up close, and I’ll never forget how exciting it was.

I went with my grandpa, grandma, tita, and cousin. I remember holding my grandma’s hand as we entered the zoo. My grandpa carried our snacks, and my tita kept a close eye on us kids. The zoo was so big, with lots of trees and the sounds of animals everywhere. My cousin and I couldn’t wait to explore!

The first animal we saw was a tiger. It was so huge and strong that I couldn’t stop staring at it. My grandpa told me tigers are like the kings of the jungle, and I believed him—it really looked like one!

Then, we went to see the monkeys, and they were the funniest part of the day. They were jumping, swinging, and playing around. My cousin and I couldn’t stop laughing, especially when one monkey tried to grab a visitor’s food.

The bird area was my favorite spot. I saw colorful parrots, shiny peacocks, and even a red bird that flew close to us. It was so beautiful that I couldn’t stop looking at it.

I also saw animals I had only seen in books before, like giraffes and elephants. The giraffes looked so tall and funny with their long necks, and the elephant made everyone laugh by spraying water with its trunk. It was amazing to see them in real life.

At one point, we went into the reptile house, and I felt a little scared. The snakes and crocodiles were so big and looked so dangerous, but my tita reassured me that they were safe behind the glass.

After walking around for hours, we rested near a pond. My grandma gave us snacks, and we sat together watching the ducks swim peacefully. Before we left, my tita bought me a small stuffed elephant from the souvenir shop. I loved it so much that I kept it for years as a reminder of that special day.

Looking back, that trip wasn’t just about seeing animals. It was about spending time with my family, learning new things, and laughing together. It’s one of my happiest childhood memories, and Manila Zoo will always hold a special place in my heart.