Location: Brgy. Salindeg, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, Philippines
Updated: November 2019
Note: The original post of this blog has been pushed down with the recent ones on top pages
The vast zoological park of Baluarte
A tourist who toured Vigan and was not able to visit Baluaarte has not actually gone to Vigan City for reason of trip incompleteness. Besides, this attraction is just a 10-minute drive away from the city’s center from Calle Crisologo. This vast 20-hectare property turned into a zoological park is owned by former Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson located in Barangay Salindeg of Vigan City. It has his monumental mansion with resort complex lying in hectares of land that stretches from the rolling plain towards the hills. On top of his mansion is a rewarding view of Vigan City and the tranquil South China Sea. Most of the animals housed in this zoo are imported from the Middle East, Africa and in some parts of Asia. It offers a free pony ride drawn in a carriage.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How much is the entrance fee: Free
What is the operating hours?
8:00 A.M. (Opening Time), 4:30 P.M. (Last Entry), 5:00 P.M. (Closing Time)
What is the schedule of the Animal Shows:
There are three schedules: 10:00 A.M., 2:00 P.M. and 4:00 P.M.
A P50 per person ride thru golf cart shuttle
There is so much to do and enjoy when you are inside Baluarte. A half day will not be enough to visit and enjoy all its attractions. Snacks and refreshments are available inside from their food stalls and stores. I assume that this golf cart shuttle ride is just new, because the first I visit this park, I only saw some ponies where kids are allowed to ride with it.
An intimate union with the roaming animals inside the park
Guests have the option to go near the animals with caution. I have seen a couple of ostriches roaming freely in one part of the park. There were few species of animals like donkeys, antelopes and the chital or spotted deer which were freely roaming around the park and kids can even touch them if they are accompanied by adults.
Caged animal species
Zebras are the species being caged inside the park. Other animals being caged here are: 8 Bengal tigers, 2 leopards, 6 white lions, snakes, pythons, crocodiles, monitor lizards, iguanas, eagles, peacocks and owls. I remember that during my first visit, there were camels whom the guests can take pictures touching them with the presence of park rangers.
Animal mascots at the entrance (Models: Russel A. Po and daughter Cheska Marie)
Not all animals are live and real. To entertain the kids, there are animal mascots at the entrance where kids can play with. Some of these mascots would even voluntarily play with infants while being carried by their adult companions.
Park rangers assist the kids who are riding the ponies
Aside from riding from the ponies, a father-and-daughter or a mother-and-son, can also have a tiburin ride being carried by a pony. A tiburin ride is a light carriage with two wheels pulled by a ap pony resembling to a chariot in form, though a chariot is not a light carriage.
Animal feeding
Guests are not allowed to feed the animals with any kind of food or leftover. You need to buy it in a store with the kind of feed the animal eat like the monitor lizard on the picture above.
The souvenir and pasalubong store
Filipino tourists are fond of buying souvenir items and pasalubong items whenever they are on travel and Chavit Singzon has that in mind, too. This is the reason why he also welcomed concessionaires to sell items like souvenir t-shirts, accessories and other local delicacies.
The Catholic chapel inside the park
Conveniently, guests can also visit the chapel inside this safari park. Maybe, aside from masses to be held, booking for weddings can also be accommodated here. I am sure, but this just came to me as an idea. Prenup pictorials would also be perfect with the backdrop of roaming animals.
The interior of the park's chapel
The tall golden building on the right is Chavit's private mansion
The Baluarte where animals show is hosted
The following pictures were taken from the free animals show. The hosts ask the audience to participate on the show by holding the animals being used for the show. If not, they are allowed to touched while the hosts are carrying it live.
There is also the Safari Gallery. In the gallery room, it accommodates Chavit'z hunting trophy collection, the head of the animals he hunted in various parts of the world, since hunting is his hobby. As this collection is growing too big, he decided to put up this Safari Gallery. His intention is for people to see exotic animals without going to other countries just to these animals.
The ice cream parlor
Below is the original blog post:
The vast acres of Baluarte Zoological Park
Aside from sprawling zoological park setting, most of its part have landscaped garden complete with nature pools. Visiting the place is quite engaging as there are a lot of attractions to make all guests busy like experiencing the butterfly farm like a butterfly aviary, a skeet shooting range, feeding animals like flamingos, Albino Burmese python (Scientific name: Python molorus bivittatus), monkeys, swans, ostriches, spotted deer and the one-hump camel where I found it very tamable. These animals are fenced only.
The butterfly garden contains thousands of kinds of butterflies which according to the assisting staff, are endemic to the Philippines.
Free pony ride at Baluarte Zoological Park
Like Manila Zoo, we also saw caged animals like Indian rock python (Scientific name: Geochelone elegans), Indian Star tortoise (Scientific name: Python molorus), reptiles, birds, green iguanas (Scientific name: Iguana iguana), palm civet cats (Scientific name: Paradoxurus hermaphrodites), peacocks, lions, Bengal tigers and the Philippine cloud rat which is endemic to the Philippine Cordillera region.
One of the one-hump camels in Baluarte
I remember when I had a Safari Tour in Bangkok, where the park personnel would normally have scheduled show when to introduce the animals to the guests which we experienced also in Baluarte.
Taming a one-hump camel
Near the entrance, I saw parrots, Nicobar pigeon (Scientific name: Caloenas nicobarica) and Luzon hornbill (Scientific name: Penelopides manillae) where guests can have a closer look and take pictures with. What screwed my attention was when I heard a voice saying “Pangit ka! Pangit Ka!” where when I turned my head, I was amused to find out that it was a parrot saying those words which means in English, “You are ugly! You are ugly!”
For Catholic guests, this tourist spot has a pink chapel and another added attraction is a lighthouse. Indeed, visiting this park will give a guest a complete experience.
Touring around the park through free pony ride
Guests are assured of signs posted at some points of the park that all these amenities are for free as long as Mr. Chavit Singzon can afford its maintenance. As a form of help from the tourists, they buy pet food sold inside the park. With this, the guests are helping to maintain the park for its operation.
Enjoying the cool park amenities
HOW TO GET THERE
Take a bus from Manila via Partas, Dominion, Philippine Rabbit by 9 – 10 hours to Vigan City for a distance of 404 kilometers and another 10 minutes drive from the heart of Vigan City to Baluarte. Partas Transportation Company offers the best and comfortable ride with its air-conditioned buses equipped with only three seats across and have better reclining positions. You may check this link for Partas bus operation schedule
Alternatively, through by air which is flying from Manila to Laoag International Airport for three times a week for 70 minutes either by Cebu Pacific or Philippine Airlines. Laoag City is 2 and a half hours or 82 kilometers away from Vigan City.
Aside from sprawling zoological park setting, most of its part have landscaped garden complete with nature pools. Visiting the place is quite engaging as there are a lot of attractions to make all guests busy like experiencing the butterfly farm like a butterfly aviary, a skeet shooting range, feeding animals like flamingos, Albino Burmese python (Scientific name: Python molorus bivittatus), monkeys, swans, ostriches, spotted deer and the one-hump camel where I found it very tamable. These animals are fenced only.
The butterfly garden contains thousands of kinds of butterflies which according to the assisting staff, are endemic to the Philippines.
Like Manila Zoo, we also saw caged animals like Indian rock python (Scientific name: Geochelone elegans), Indian Star tortoise (Scientific name: Python molorus), reptiles, birds, green iguanas (Scientific name: Iguana iguana), palm civet cats (Scientific name: Paradoxurus hermaphrodites), peacocks, lions, Bengal tigers and the Philippine cloud rat which is endemic to the Philippine Cordillera region.
I remember when I had a Safari Tour in Bangkok, where the park personnel would normally have scheduled show when to introduce the animals to the guests which we experienced also in Baluarte.
Near the entrance, I saw parrots, Nicobar pigeon (Scientific name: Caloenas nicobarica) and Luzon hornbill (Scientific name: Penelopides manillae) where guests can have a closer look and take pictures with. What screwed my attention was when I heard a voice saying “Pangit ka! Pangit Ka!” where when I turned my head, I was amused to find out that it was a parrot saying those words which means in English, “You are ugly! You are ugly!”
For Catholic guests, this tourist spot has a pink chapel and another added attraction is a lighthouse. Indeed, visiting this park will give a guest a complete experience.
Guests are assured of signs posted at some points of the park that all these amenities are for free as long as Mr. Chavit Singzon can afford its maintenance. As a form of help from the tourists, they buy pet food sold inside the park. With this, the guests are helping to maintain the park for its operation.
HOW TO GET THERE
Take a bus from Manila via Partas, Dominion, Philippine Rabbit by 9 – 10 hours to Vigan City for a distance of 404 kilometers and another 10 minutes drive from the heart of Vigan City to Baluarte. Partas Transportation Company offers the best and comfortable ride with its air-conditioned buses equipped with only three seats across and have better reclining positions. You may check this link for Partas bus operation schedule
Alternatively, through by air which is flying from Manila to Laoag International Airport for three times a week for 70 minutes either by Cebu Pacific or Philippine Airlines. Laoag City is 2 and a half hours or 82 kilometers away from Vigan City.
Oh . . . I wish I can hold close a camel.
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