From School Buses to

Memory Lanes

ARTICLE: Juliane Bernardine Damas | JANUARY 13, 2024.

Remember when the mere thought of an educational field trip drove us into a flurry of anticipation?

Back then, preparing for a field trip was like getting ready for a huge adventure, and the excitement is a nostalgic journey in and of itself.

The thrill of excitement as we plan our ultimate food stash, secure the window seat, guarantee that our devices are fully charged, and prepare our clothes to lay beside us on the bed is exceptional!

With that, grab your bags and join us on a trip down nostalgia road as we rediscover our childhood field trip destinations!

1. Gardenia Factory

First stop: South! Do you still remember Gardee, our bread mascot friend? Located at Biñan, Laguna, Gardenia offers a tour of modern-day bread production methods without using human hands.

Aside from leading the facilities and production tour, Gardee also discusses and advocates for good nutrition and hygiene as the cornerstones of healthy well-being.

And the best part? Freebies! After the tour, visitors are greeted with free bread samples, making the tour educational, enjoyable, and delicious!

2. Lucky Me! Noodle Factory

Another famous stop is the Nissin Lucky Me factory in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

Before entering the production area, you will be welcomed and greeted by Lucky M. The tour will demonstrate how our beloved Lucky Me! Noodles and Pancit Cantons are created. Starting with the noodle-making ingredient mixture, cutting, rapid frying, and packaging.

Of course, without the free Lucky Me! goodies, the tour wouldn't be complete, right?

3. Rizal Park

Of all the historical locations in Manila, Rizal Park also referred to as "Luneta," is one of the most well-known and significant since it is the memorial of the Philippine National Hero Dr. José Rizal's execution site.

The park encompasses about sixty hectares of open grass, magnificent gardens, ponds, concrete paths, and forested parts, which children on educational tours frequently use for lunch or to unwind after a long day of touring.

4. Manila Zoo

This other stop makes us encounter exotic animals in the city, which appeals to our animal-loving hearts!

This 5.5-hectare urban paradise provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity to discover the different wildlife and vegetation endemic to the Philippines and other areas of the world. The zoo also allows animal feeding sessions, provides keeper talks, and hands-on interactions with some species.

As one of the country's oldest and largest zoos, Manila Zoo has played an important role in promoting environmental protection and recreation.

5. Manila Planetarium

As we’re near our final destination, this stop provides astronomical knowledge, exhibitions, and actual cosmic sightings that might make you reconsider dreaming of being a scientist.

Nothing compares to seeing the dioramas, space murals, and pictures of heavenly bodies at Manila Planetarium come to life within the auditorium.

And certainly, we must admit that in our younger days, we used to think of it as something magical!

6. Enchanted Kingdom

And, of course, we saved the best for last!

Every instructional tour concludes with a visit to an amusement park. With Eldar welcoming us, the Enchanted Kingdom in Sta. Rosa, Laguna surely catered a lot of fun memories.

We had an adrenaline rush as we rode the space shuttle, got our clothes wet in the Rio Grande rapids, and then went straight to the flying fiesta to dry them.

This park offers a wide range of rides and attractions for guests, young and old, big and small, from family-friendly to extreme thrill rides, making it the ideal place to round off a long but fun educational tour!

Going on a field trip during our childhood days was like embarking on an exciting adventure outside the classroom’s comfortable bounds. Exploring those places brought lessons to life and turned them into actual experiences. Outside of the classroom, the world opened out before our eyes, leaving lasting marks of knowledge and joy.

We may not remember every aspect of these experiences, but returning to these locations will always recollect memories and friendships formed.

These places changed our perspective on how we view the world. It showed us that at some point in our lives, we realized the simplicity of existence, felt greater joy, and cherished the innocence of our childhood.