Manila Ocean Park features water musicale in Acquatica

If talking fishes, sky-high fountains, fireworks and costumed dancers tickle your child's fancy, watch Maiden of the Sea at the Manila Ocean Park. You'll have a unique summer outing while teaching your kid a thing or two about love for the environment. Maiden of the Sea is the first multi-sensory water musicale featured at Acquatica, a new section that doubles as a swimming theme park by day and musical theater at night. The show features a live cast and high-tech computer imaging, fantastic pyrotechnics, and 20-foot high water effects.

Sorry kids (and kids at heart) who may be expecting to see live dolphins or fishes as part of the show. Only the human characters are real here, but you may find the talking fishes in 2D and 3D just as adorable. One important tip if you want to watch the show up close: better wear the raincoats the attendants hand you at the theater entrance because you just might get wet. Better yet, sit on the upper bleachers so you'll enjoy a full view of the show. As the narrator puts it in the beginning of the musicale, Maiden of the Sea shows the "love, passion, arrogance and recklessness of man." It tells the story of the kingdom of Kanimbala, who has become abusive of the environment and the seas. The goddess Inangat curses the kingdom and brings illness upon King Lakandiwa. The king then sends out his three sons to find the only woman who holds the cure: Dalanggat, the maiden of the sea. If it weren't for the narration of the musical's summary, it would be quite difficult to understand the story of the Maiden of the Sea. You'll be too amazed watching (and waiting for) the animated characters beamed on the seemingly liquid screen and the specially timed water effects. The live cast is entertaining, but the real stars of the show are the funny yellow fish and his cute octopus sidekick who act both as protagonists and antagonists to the three princes while they go on their heroic quest. There were lull moments during sequences that had no special effects. As bursts of colorful light, towering water fountains and shooting fireworks created the rousing finale, however, kids and adults alike let out a resounding "wow!" At the end of the show, you may want to remind your kids the moral of the story: if you're kind to Mother Nature, she'll be kind to you too. – Jayme Brucal-Gatbonton/YA, GMANews.TV Maiden of the Sea runs every day at Acquatica, Manila Ocean Park. Tickets cost P250 during weekdays and P300 during weekends. You can get P50 off the ticket price when you buy specially marked Johnson’s Baby products.