Baluarte Zoo and Safari Gallery in Vigan

18 2008
Avatar for tired_momma
3 years ago

Hello Travel Lovers!

Our destination: Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines Featuring Baluarte Zoo and Safari Gallery

Baluarte Zoo is a zoological park in Vigan which was established and owned by a Filipino politician and business tycoon named Luis Crisologo Singson who is better known as Chavit Singson.

Chavit Singson as a politician. He is serving as a Mayor of Ilocos Sur from 2019 up to present and also served as a Governor. In 2008, he was the Deputy Security Adviser in the Philippines Government. He is also the president of the Philippines National Shooting Association since 2018. He is well known in the Philippines for raising $11 million we needed to host Miss Universe 2016 pageant in the country.

Chavit Singson as a businessman. He owns multi-million businesses from construction to transportation business that make him one of the richest men in the Philippines. You can consider him as one of those crazy rich Asians. Now we know where his money comes from to set up the Baluarte Zoo.

Baluarte Zoo

The Baluarte Zoo is well maintained and is free admission even for the animal show except if you want to take pictures with the Baluarte's big cat (tiger) and other animals, feeding or riding them. Mayor Chavit Singson, as I heard made it free so that the people of Ilocos can come to the zoo and see the animals without the need to go to Manila.

You will see animals you typically see in the zoo. You can feed the kangaroo, ride on the donkey, caressed the tiger or put a reptile on your hand or a snake in your shoulder while it slithers lol. They have an amazing interactive show like the wild boar painting and the Fur Sea Experience where you can feed the seals, watch their fantastic show and feed them. They are well-cared for as I see. They are very tamed and gentle. Just feel bad about the tigers chained up in the cage.

Have a look of some of the animals inside.

There are shops and restaurant around so you can eat Ice cream while walking about. You have to bring an umbrella because it is seriously hot in there especially walking up the hill.

Like every tourist attraction, Baluarte also offers a wide range of souvenir items of plush animals and apparels and personalized items so you can bring your favourite animal with you. The shop is open from 8-5 p.m. during zoo hours.

Safari Gallery

The owner Mr Chavit Singson has a hunting hobby which becomes his agenda to set up the Baluarte. When his hunting collection trophy grew big he then decided to put up the Baluarte Zoo.

This is on top of the hill inside the Baluarte. The Safari Gallery is a "trophy room" of Chavit Singson's collection of animals he hunted for years and years. It features the remains of real animals. You'll see the mounted head, just skin and the whole animals. Some are really massive that I wonder how did they bring it in there. They all look magnificently preserved.

Some of the animals in the gallery are bison, wild beast, bear, elephant, lion and deer. Everything is well labelled and the gallery itself is designed flawlessly. And the good thing about this place is it is free for everyone to view. I was really fascinated when I first saw it. It's unbelievable.

Here's what you can see in the gallery.

I really wonder how did Chavit Singson manage to bring it all here when it comes from various parts of the world. And I can't imagine how much it costs to preserve all of it.

I know we don't all agree with him hunting and killing animals. And many petitions to stop animal trophy hunting. And there are questions in my mind. Did he enjoy killing those animals? Does he find pleasure to see them as trophies?

Your thoughts?

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3 years ago

Comments

I've been there and I like it but I hate long walk to reach last cage of the animals well maybe because im not that young anymore

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3 years ago

I know and that day is really hot. But we take our time to walk till we reach the top of the world lol

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3 years ago

Hala seryoso po yan? Mga totoong animal sila na preserved ba, 😱. Kawawa naman sila, so pinatay niya para lang pang trophy, bat naman ganon, saka yong lion my gosh, saka yumg puti na dilaw ba yon yung bear ba yun,m hala bat naman ganon, wala bang nag pepetition jan sa baluarte zoo nya po?

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3 years ago

Bhe andami ng nag petition. Diba kawawa sa dami nya ring napatay. 😔

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3 years ago

Ay bat patuloy pa din dapat pinasara na yaan 🤧. Oo nga maganda sya eexhibit pwro kawawa naman silaaaa 🤧

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3 years ago

Alam no naman bhe politika at yaman

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3 years ago

Sabagay, tskkk 🤦

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3 years ago

very nice place, on first moment i think this is in England city, but this is more beautiful

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3 years ago

Thank you dear. I've never been to England yet so hopefully I'll see what you mean. Cheers

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3 years ago

I have the same thoughts with you. I've seen lots of photos of animals being preserved but it costs high prize to pay.

I've heard about his farm before, and I never thought it looks like this. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. You really love traveling and I'm happy for you, you've traveled in different places already. 🤍

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3 years ago

You know when you first walk on the gallery, you want to say wow! And I was really fascinated. Then when I go home and think about it, like wait that's real animals. Then I feel guilty for thinking that was nice. It really worth some serious money right? Thank you for your nice words and I appreciate your comment dear. Cheers

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3 years ago

i enjoyed your post, and i want to let you know that i'm not critical of you.

i don't agree with trophy hunting. it serves no purpose. if you truly want to make the world a better place, then your plans should include protection for animals and the environment.

most zoos are not run properly either. animals should not be trapped in cages for the enjoyment of humans.

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3 years ago

I know. And I read he killed a lion for his birthday although I only saw the headlines I don't have the heart to read it all and I don't want to see the lion itself with him proud of it. I always believe in karma, that you will get what you give out.

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3 years ago

Extra pics! This museum is awesome! Animals are like real. You have my support!

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3 years ago

Thank you. They are real animals dear. Well preserved.

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3 years ago

People need to protect wildlife due to this terrible unfriendly environment created mostly by man. Movie Avatar seems to explain that truth..

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3 years ago

Oh I love that movie! Jake Sully and Neytiri. They destroyed their home and killed their people. For what?!😞

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3 years ago

Because of greed! Mankind is cruel, and they use their projects and researches for something good sometimes, but unwillingly destroy good and innocent. I think it's plan to record Avatar 2...👍

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3 years ago