7 ways to cool off
THIS SUMMER, DANIEL BETANCOURT SETS OUT TO MAKE A SPLASH AT SOME OF THE CAPITAL’S BEST SWIMMING POOLS AND WATER-BASED CENTERS
1 BERT LOZADA SWIMMING SCHOOL
The eponymous teacher of this school (BLSS) has been teaching for more than 50 years now, and is one of the leaders in bringing swimming skills within reach of everybody. Beginning with a small swimming program located in Paranaque, it gradually became a certified school for swimming and pool safety training and is accredited by US and Australian swimming education federations.
The school organizes year-round lessons held at several school and hotel swimming pools within the Metro.
Lessons for babies, children and adults are given by professionally trained instructors. It also organizes the varsity training and PE swimming instruction at several of high schools and universities.
BLSS also conducts modules on pool management and water safety for future Red Cross lifeguard accreditation. With a special emphasis on safety, the school devotes up to six instructors to attend each lesson and has a maximum teacher: student ratio of 1:5.
Tel (2) 563 5532, (2) 589 1982, www.bertlozadaswimschool.com
Fees: PHP2,750/USD68.08-PHP4,600/ USD113.88 for courses.
2 ATENEO DE MANILA
Every summer, Ateneo conducts private summer swimming courses at its grade school and college swimming pools. Normally used for PE classes and training for college varsity, the new LS swimming pool has eight lanes, with a length of 25m.
Loyola Heights, Quezon City, tel (2) 426 6001 5016, www.ateneo.edu Fees: PHP3,000/USD74.27 for 10 hours.
3 THE RAINFOREST AND WATER PARK
A project of the Pasig city hall, the Rainforest and Water Park is a 2.5 hectare sports and leisure center that is fast becoming popular among the city’s residents. Its water park boasts two swimming pools, including an Olympic-size lap pool, two water slides, cottages and picnic tables.
Legaszpi St, Barangay Maybunga, Pasig City, tel (2) 642 5280.
Fees: free (park), PHP100-60/USD2.50-1.50 (pool).
4 LA MESA ECOPARK
Inside La Mesa Ecopark, a stunning complex designed by National Artist Francisco Manosa, is a saltwater swimming pool. The pool is perhaps the only one of its kind in the capital and employs ‘natural chlorine’ which makes the water safer for the skin.
The pool complex will open its extension in a few months that will include an adult and children’s pool, as well as a 25m lap pool.
Greater Lagro, Quezon City, tel (2) 430 4051, (2) 430 5207, email lamesaecopark@abs-cbn.com, www.lamesaecopark.com Open 9am to 4pm daily.
Fees: PHP50/USD1.24 (park); PHP80-40/USD1.98-0.99 (pool)
5 CLUB MANILA EAST CENTRAL
This recreational park, which lies just outside the eastern boundaries of the capital boasts pools of varying sizes and water slides. Swimming lessons are given in its 25m lap pool which has six lanes. Cabanas are on hand for day-trippers while villas are available for those who want to spend the night. Special group rates for families and groups of friends available.
Km, 24 Manila East Road Taytay, Rizal, tel (2) 660 2801 to 05, www.clubmanilaeast.com
Fees: PHP250-200/USD6.19-4.95 (pool); lessons: PHP2,800/USD69.32-PHP3,200/USD79.22.
6 MARIKINA SPORTS CENTER
Built in the 1960s, this sports complex has been rehabilitated since 2001 and has become an important venue for athletic competitions. Members of the regional swimming teams regularly train in its swimming pool, which is Olympic in size and has eight lanes.
Shoe Avenue cor Sumulong Highway, Marikina City, www.marikina.gov.ph
Fees: PHP5/USD0.12 (sports center), PHP40/USD1 (pool).
7 SPLASH ISLAND
Located off the South superhighway, this is the country’s largest and most popular water-themed park. Modeled on US theme parks, there are 12 different attractions including water slides, river rides, pools and wave machines – all with special reference to Filipino and Spanish and Caribbean culture.
Southwoods Ecocentrum, Biñan, Laguna, tel (2) 699 2320, www.splashisland.ph
Fees: PHP325/USD8.05-PHP250/USD6.19.
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