What's On & Expat - Philippines

DESTINATION

Like a work of art, the city of Santa Rosa in Laguna reveals more than what you see at first glance.
Boasting more than a hundred subdivisions, the city builds itself up as a residential alternative to nearby cramped Metro Manila. Its proximity to the metropolis and swift development has made it easier to be ratified as a city in 2004. It has earned its new monicker as the “investment capital of the south.”
    And why not? Sta. Rosa is booming and brimming with commercial success. The Coca-Cola Company’s biggest plant outside of the United States is located right smack in its industrial park. Not only that, retail industry giants like SM, Robinson’s and another shopping center owned by Ayala Land have put up malls in the area. Of course, not to be missed is the country’s premier theme park, Enchanted Kingdom.

            Enchanted Kingdom
    Topping the list of places that I visited during my recent trip to Sta. Rosa courtesy of Skal Club of Manila was the Enchanted Kingdom (EK). I was still in awe seeing this place once again. The park’s rides were as exciting as I can remember—I let out my biggest screams at the Space Shuttle, got wet at the Rio Grande and saw the whole park on top of the humongous Ferris wheel. While EK’s crowd is composed mostly of students on field trips and families going out for a day of enjoyment, there are still adults like me who simply want to have fun at the park. One of the theme park’s newest attractions, the 4D Theatre had a surprisingly short queue of people. Still, everybody at the theatre enjoyed its special effects as if one was actually present during the making of the film.
   Meanwhile, Enchanted Kingdom has new attractions this December. Whether it’s a

Page 14