Want Your Kids To Spend More Time Outdoors? There's A Rainforest Park In Pasig That Parents And Kids Love

Did you know that you can take your kids to a rainforest park without leaving Metro Manila? Yes! The Maybunga Rainforest Park in Pasig City reopened its doors to Pasigueño and non-Pasigueños alike, with newly rehabilitated parks and facilities.

If your kids have been to every indoor playspace in the metro, here's a greener option for the whole family. The best part: the entrance is free!

What is the Maybunga Rainforest Park in Pasig City

Formerly known as the Rainforest Adventure Experience Park or RAVE of Pasig, the park was renamed to Maybunga Rainforest Park as it is situated in Barangay Maybunga, Pasig City. It also emphasizes its commitment to rainforest protection.

^{The entrance of the Maybunga Rainforest Park}

In an interview with Smart Parenting, Patrick Pladiano, the officer-in-charge (OIC) of the Maybunga Rainforest Park, shared the local government's goal for the park since 2019, "The main goal is not only to rehabilitate the Maybunga Rainforest Park but to declare Maybunga Rainforest park as a protected area or a permanent rainforest park."

On January 12, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto led the inauguration of the 6.8-hectare rainforest park, showcasing the improvements from the first phase of its rehabilitation and the anniversary of its declaration as a permanent rainforest park.

^{Mayor Vico Sotto of Pasig City and Patrick Pladiano, OIC of Maybunga Rainforest Park led the inauguration last January 12, 2024.}

Among the newly improved park features that families will love are the Senior Citizens' Park, Kiddie Playland, Rizal Pavillion, Picnic Grove, Butterfly Garden, Lagoon Pavilion, New Pet Park, and the Chess Pavilion.

Parents' review of Maybunga Rainforest Park

We asked Smart Parenting Village, a private Facebook group of over 104K Filipino moms and dads, about their experience at the Maybunga Rainforest Park. 

1. The park has improved; strict with its closing time to protect biodiversity.

Mommy Patricia Santiago-De Guzman said they've been to the park twice, and this year, they went during a holiday and it was full. She shared what her kids loved about the place, "[Their] favorite is the park and the nature. May mga animals din around the area, and really, 'yung park mas okay na ngayon compared before."

^{Entrance to the Kiddie Playland is free.}

Mommy Patricia added that her kids were enjoying the park and were unaware that the park closes at 5 PM. "Talagang strict sila sa time. Madaming guards ang umiikot to tell you to leave." she shared.

The Park's OIC explained why they are strict with the closing hours for the common areas, "Hindi lang kasi tayo yung gumagamit ng rainforest park, may other living things that need to rest, like mga ibon, insekto. Inaalagaan natin ang biodiversity ng park."

^{There's a lot of walking area for kids and families in the Park.}

However, Pladiano assures that the oval remains open for joggers until 9 PM.

^{A lot of open spaces with artificial grass that kids love.}

Nevertheless, Mommy Patricia and her kids had a great time at the park, "I really hope we can have more open spaces and parks within the metro," she added.

^{Mommy Patricia Santiago-de Guzman and family}

2. A safe space for kids

Also a proud Pasigueño, Mommy Krisanta Valguna-Bayanban shared why her two children loved the nature park, "[We visited] late morning, inabot na kami ng after lunch kakalaro nila."

^{The playground facilities and equipment were imported from Turkey.}

She highlighted, "This is a safe space for the kids. Sobrang nag-enjoy ang kids sa playground and dun sa area na may steel slides. Safe magtakbo-takbo ang toddlers dito kasi may artificial grass." Best of all, she said, "Libre ang playground!"

^{Kids enjoying the Park's playground facilities.}

Apart from the play areas, her kids enjoyed looking at the dinosaur statues, "They spent a good amount of time admiring each statue," she said.

Her kids also loved the Butterfly Garden. "They loved it there. Nakita nila up close kung paano mag-suck ng nectar ang butterflies."

^{Kids love to visiti the butterfly garden and learn more about insects.}

Mommy Krisanta says, she highly recommends families to visit the park, "Especially if kids love running around and nature-themed [na] pasyal."

3. Clean restrooms

Mommy Ann Gavile Felix meanwhile visited the park last month. Although some areas of the park were reserved for a taping of a TV series, her two kids still enjoyed the playground. 

She said that since they live nearby and the park is accessible from their home, it won't be a problem to come back next time.

^{Kids enjoy the dinosaur statues sightings in the Park too!}

She was able to use one of the restrooms near the entrance of the park, "Aakyat ka ng madaming hagdan, pero maganda. Malinis, may tubig, may flush, at may tabo."

The restrooms were also designed to be Person with Disability-friendly, too!

4. Not just for kids, but for the whole family.

Mommy Charlene, a Pasig resident, agreed that indeed, the amenities and facilities have improved. "Surely, mag-e-enjoy po ang kids kahit mga adults."

^{The Senior Citizen's Park is for our elderly who want to relax and unwind too.}

They've recently visited the park to jog. "Bago na 'yung amenities nila. Mas okay 'yung playground for kids. Meron ding place for mga Senior Citizen na nagte-therapy, kasi may mga amenities doon na for locomotor." She added, "Improved na din yung flower farm and zoo."

^{There are also facilities that seniors may use to exercise.}

For Mommy Rona Tapar meanwhile shared why they spend their weekends at the park, "Gusto namin 'yung Boating lagoon, Aviary, Butterfly House, and 'yung ambiance. Napaka-fresh ng air and very relaxing!"

5. There's a pool and a pet park too! 

Additionally, there's a pool park available at an affordable entrance fee. Mommy Merly Lalog-Llanes assures that kids will enjoy. Entrance to the pool costs Php 100 per head for Pasig residents, and Php 150 for non-Pasig residents.

^{One of the Park's main attraction is the pool park!}

Other facilities that have fees include the Maze Garden, Flower, and Butterfly Garden. All other facilities are free for all. Facilities open as early as 8 AM.

"Sa mga magulang, maliban sa nag-e-enjoy, sana habang nasa park ay ipaintindi sa mga bata ang kahalagahan ng green spaces at pagmamahal sa kalikasan." —Patrick Pladiano, OIC, Maybunga Rainforest Park

The newest addition to the rainforest park is the pet park, which welcomes all kinds of pets—even tortoises! The pet park used to be a picnic area, and is now a favorite spot for pet owners.

Tips for parents before visiting the Maybunga Rainforest Park

1. Bring your own food and drinks.

There are not a lot of stores inside the rainforest park, so it's best (and tipid!) if you bring your packed lunches, snacks, and drinks for the family. 

2. Look after your kids.

While there are a lot of security guards and police officers stationed around the park, parents are reminded to never leave their kids unattended at all times. 

3. Bear with ongoing renovations.

As mentioned, there is still a lot of work to be done in the park. So expect that there is construction in progress. Kids and adults are advised to wear masks when at the Boating Lagoon area that is under construction. 

Visitors in this season may also expect lots of falling leaves, "Mag-baon po kayo ng pasensya dahil umuulan ng dahon," the OIC reminds.

4. Teach your kids about rainforest conservation.

Pladiano stressed this important message for parents, "Sa mga magulang, maliban sa nag-e-enjoy, sana habang nasa park ay ipaintindi sa mga bata ang kahalagahan ng green spaces at pagmamahal sa kalikasan. Para naipapamana natin sa mga anak natin ang pangangalaga ng area natin, gaya ng Maybunga Rainforest Park." He added, "Yan ang pinaka-importante paalala sa mga magulang."

^{Little Pasiguenos enjoying their very own rainforest park!}

As the Maybunga Rainforest Park is declared a protected area, each one of us has a role to play in keeping it that way. "Yung appreciation natin, hindi lang dahil meron tayong pwedeng gamitin, pero syempre kinakailangan alagaan natin ito dahil yung next generation, natin mas malaki yung banta ng pagkasira ng kalikasan."

If we do our part in protecting green spaces like this, our kids' children and grandchildren will get to enjoy these parks, too. 

Watch this Maybunga Rainforest Park tour to know more: 

The Maybunga Rainforest Park is located at F. Legaspi Street, Maybunga, Pasig City. It is open from 8 AM to 5 PM daily. For more information about the Maybunga Rainforest Park, check out its Facebook page here.