A secret garden and butterfly haven at the Rizal Park

The kiss of the sun for pardon, the songs of birds for mirth/ One is nearer God's heart in a garden/ Than anywhere else on earth. These words by Dorothy Frances Gurney perhaps best describes the experience of being in one of Rizal Park's most beautiful attractions, the Orchidarium.

Rizal Park – or Luneta, as it is known to many – is named in honor of our country’s national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. Located in the center of Manila, it remains as one of the city’s most enduring treasures.

The Orchidarium was once a parking lot within the Rizal Park complex, which was later converted into a repository of orchids and ferns. It is a project of the Clean & Green Foundation, Inc., headed by its president and chairperson, former First Lady Amelita M. Ramos.

From the outside, you are greeted by a stone arch crawling with greenery, giving you the impression that you are entering a rainforest rather than a garden. The park is divided into different sections, each featuring different varieties of orchids, vines, ferns, trees, and other plant species.

Some of the sections are: the Philippine Orchid Species Island, with samples of orchids indigenous to the Philippines; Terrestrials, with earth-bound orchid varieties; Palm Beach, a tropical garden with palm varieties such as our national leaf, the Anahaw.

There is also the Hibiscus patch, with different hibiscus flowers (gumamela); Dendro Hill, with the most popular orchid genus – the dendrobium (sanggumay); the Heli-Pad, with a variety of heliconas; Fern Gully, with ferns of different shapes and sizes; and the First Ladies’ Blooms, with Mussaendas (Kahoy Dalaga) named after the wives of the presidents of the Philippines.

Children and young adults will find adventure in Rocky Trail, which has a facility for sport wall-climbing. They can also go to Mystic Fishing where they can rent bamboo poles and try to catch fish in a pond in the middle of the complex. Whatever they catch is theirs to keep. Minimal fees of P25 per climb, and P25 per pole are charged.

Meanwhile, for the contemplative or those who simply want to escape the noise of the city,they can find refuge at Reflection Point or at the Rainforest, which is located between the Butterfly Pavilion and Education Module. The Rainforest is especially relaxing with its enclosure of exotic greens and refreshing waterfalls.

A highlight of the Orchidarium is a walk into the Butterfly Pavilion. This enclosure houses a variety of butterflies which are allowed to fly freely around the place. Visitors are advised to watch their step as some of these fragile insects might be accidentally crushed underfoot. You could also have one perch on your shoulder or finger.

In the Education Module, which is just after the Butterfly Pavilion, guests get to view the various stages of the life of a butterfly. Encased in glass aquariums are eggs, caterpillars, and pupae.

Finally, for those who want a quick snack, hearty lunch or romantic dinner amidst the beauty of Nature, there is the Lush Life fine dining restaurant located at the center of the Orchidarium. If you are going to eat in the restaurant, the entrance fee to the theme garden is waived. However, you will have to pay a small fee to enter the Butterfly Pavilion.

Entrance fee to the Orchidarium is P120 for adults and P60 for students. (Reprinted from Cruising magazine, March 2001 issue)