CLARK FREEPORT — Anticipating the summer season, Aqua Planet Water Park held its “grand” relaunch Saturday with additional attractions and amenities for outdoor and water activities.
Among Aqua Planet’s first visitors were members of the Diplomatic Corps from Vietnam, Thailand, Brunei, Lao PDR, Indonesia, Cambodia and Myanmar, who were amazed and delightfully enjoyed the beauty of the new “paradise” situated at the northern tip of Clark Freeport.
“We don’t expect Clark has this amazing kind of water park,” said Brunei ambassador Joharian Wahab, accompanying her young daughter.
Others who joined the trip were Cambodia first secretary Khim Kanal, Lao PDR charge d’affaires KhamKhoun Pradith, Myanmar Ambassador Win Naing, Thailand charge d’affaires Urawadee Sriphiromya, and first secretary Thassarany Noivong, Vietnam Ambassador Ly Qouc Tua and first secretary Vu Anh Son, and Indonesia minister counsellor Teguh Wiweko and second secretary Agus Buana.
Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communication and Public Diplomacy Elmer Cato said he invited his counterparts in some ASEAN embassies in Manila to promote and introduce Clark as one of the major tourist destinations in the country specifically in Central Luzon.
“This is our (DFA Strategic Communication and Public Diplomacy) first project of and I’m hoping to bring more visitors in the future,” said Cato on the sidelines of the Aqua Planet relaunch.
“We are here to acquaint the members of the diplomatic community with Pampanga specifically Clark and what it has to offer,” said Cato, adding that other than just a business destination, Clark is also a place for them to relax and unwind.
The members of the Diplomatic Corps earlier visited the Nayong Pilipino also in Clark before they motored to Aqua Planet.
“These are cultural exposure trips for the diplomatic corps and officers of the DFA who will be assigned abroad,” Cato added.
Bong Alvaro, President & CEO of BBI International Leisure and Resort Development Corporation, said BBI wants to showcase what Clark has in terms of what else it can offer and Aqua Planet is certainly one place where diplomats and their families can come and visit on weekends.
“We have world-class facilities being one of the biggest water parks in Southeast Asia conveniently located just over an hour from Manila,” Alvaro stressed.
Aqua Planet was initially opened to public early last year but its operations werr temporarily shut down to pave the way for the construction of new attractions and amenities. The high-end resort is built on a 10,000 hectare property situated within the main zone of the Clark Freeport. It is the largest water park in the Philippines.
Aqua Planet investment is pegged at ₱2.5 billion. It is a joint venture of BB International Leisure and Resort Development Corporation (BBI), Eaglesky Technology Amusement and Gaming, and Central Summit International.-Jess Malabanan