My only childhood zoo experience is that of the Manila Zoo. My papa would take me and my brother Boyet to the zoo to see the animals. I remember there used to be seals, lions, giraffes, tigers and that practically all the cages and pens were filled. It was a sad day when Peter (the spitting orangutan) passed away. With no Peter (no lions, giraffes, and other exotic animals) to entertain and please crowd, Manila Zoo slowly and sadly died. Last I saw, the zoo is being renovated complete with a petting zoo.

Ethan at the petting park of Manila Zoo

Speaking of petting zoos, there's a new kid in town. Ark Avilon, located at Tiendesitas along C-5 and Ortigas Avenue in Pasig. As clued by the name, Ark Avilon is made to look like an ark. If I were the architect, I would have made the building lived up more to its name (modesty aside).

Me, my girls and Ethan at the entrance

The star of Avilon Zoo is Jenny, an orangutan. She looked hip wearing striped pants, t-shirt and crocs. She was sweet too. Kids enjoyed posing with Jenny. Me? I bravely posed with Jenny.

Jenny in her signature pink crocs!

Ethan with his buddy Miguel even

fed the bunnies, chickens and

other cuties at the feeding station located

at the second floor. The Ark Avilon

main venue is in Montalban. Jenny's

handler said it will take 2-3 hours

to tour the whole zoo. The Ark is a

7 out of 10. I should be getting

paid for blogging about Ark Avilon.