Experience farm life at Paradizoo

Celebrating a special day? Try going out of town and experience farm life. That’s what I exactly did on my natal day.

My husband and I love the cool and windy weather of Tagaytay. We used to visit some friends and their families at Mendez and sleep over. That was years back when we were still single. And while raising a family, we would take every opportunity to bring the kids to this cool, scenic destination, that is Tagaytay. With the kids grown up now, ages 23, 17, 14 and 11, we realized we haven’t been to Tagaytay as a family, in recent years. That’s why when Zoomanity’s invitation came in to visit Paradizoo, we dropped all other birthday plans and head off to Tagaytay.( Thanks Vance Madrid and Kerren Cernal for the invitation.)

Paradizoo is the newest destination South of Manila (located at Km. 63 Brgy. Panungyan, Mendez, Cavite) and an affiliate of Residence Inn hotel and Mini Zoo in Tagaytay City. Paradizoo is a 10 hectare rolling terrain located at Mendez (15 mins. away from Residence Inn) with farm animals and breeding area, pet cemetery, rest & recreation area honey bee, vegetable and flower farm, picnic and campsite.

It offers a unique farm experience that is relaxing and enjoyable in a Tagaytay-like climate with a variety of educational, outdoor and group outing programs for nature, flowers and animal lovers.

“You are cordially invited to Paradizoo “Power of Three” at Paradizoo Theme Farm,” the invitation said. The following activity highlighted our adventure on January 18, 2014: First part at Paradizoo:

 - Brief intro of Paradizoo and Power of Three headed by no less than the company president himself, Mr. Robert Yupangco. We were lucky to have former Senator Nikki Coseteng as part of the visiting team from Manila.  - GUIDED FARM TOUR @ PARADIZOO (FRESH VEGETABLE PICKING; HONEY BEE; BUTTERFLY; SHEEP SHEERING and MILKING THE GOAT DEMONSTRATION)  Lion Dance, Animal Parade, Ribbon cutting ceremony for new events place within the farm Second part at Residence Inn:  Guided tour of Residence Inn  Zipline/cable car  Coffee time before leaving for Manila Along with tour operators and members of the media and online bloggers, the coaster service from Yupangco building in Makati safely drove us to Tagaytay. It was January and it was still cool in the metropolis. The weather was bearable inside the car but as soon as we stepped out of the coaster, we all need to be covered by our jackets, bonnets and what have you against the chilly weather of Tagaytay.

First Stop—PARADIZOO, Mendez, Cavite Farm animals and flowers abound in Paradizoo!Animals including miniature horses, one-hump camels, goats, boars, rabbits, birds, and even a five-legged cow and greyhound dogs are taken cared of and trained to entertain as well as mingle with farm visitors. The animal parade was a joy to watch! What with the animals doing their antics as guided by their trainors.

For those eager to see the animals closer, they may try to see the Petting Area. For as little as Php10, one can feed carrots to furry rabbits and guinea pigs in an enclosed area. The petting area also extends to nearby pens housing llamas, goats, deer, camels, donkeys, cows, birds, and ponies which can be fed with grass provided by the farm.

Aside caring for the animals, guided milking goats, visitors will also learn about how bees produce honey in the right in the Bee house. And for those who dearly love their pets and animals, Paradizoo offers its pet cemetery as resting place. And soon Noah’s Ark style pet columbarium would be available too. Organic produce is also on sale, which include a kilo of hydroponic lettuce for Php130 per kilo; tomato for Php50 and white corn for Php5 per piece. We brought some as pasalubong. Paradizoo is indeed a paradise tucked in the heart of a busy concrete jungle. A quick escape from the city as you bask in the beauty of both flora and fauna.

Second destination—RESIDENCE INN Only fifteen minutes from Paradizoo is a place called RESIDENCE INN. Located in Tagaytay. If you’re looking to spend some family quality time on a weekend, pack a picnic and head over to Residence Inn. There are tons of activities you can do for fun such as zip line, wall climbing, watch a show, take photographs and just enjoy the cold weather.

This is my first visit to Residence Inn. My husband’s first too. I enjoyed the cable car ride – my first too! While hubby particularly liked touching the snake, and bottle-feeding the baby tiger!

The nippy weather gives zip line riders their double-shot of chills and thrills. Once you’re suspended in mid-air, you are rewarded with a heart-stopping views of the dense emerald hued ravine and the stunning view of Taal Volcano through it.

For sure next time we visit Tagaytay, Residence Inn and Paradizoo would be on top of our list!