Robert Yupangco feeds his camel and donkey at his Zoocobia theme park at Clark Freeport.
Photo by Ding Cervantes
CLARK FREEPORT – Reports that Pope Francis hinted that animals go to heaven has elated Filipino lovers, including businessman Robert Yupangco, who owns over 100 various animals, including an albino tiger that reportedly costs P10 million, in zoo-theme parks in various parts of the country.
“It’s an affirmation of my belief that intelligent animals were designed by God to complement humans,” Yupangco said in an inter-view as he fed a camel at the Zoocobia theme park on the hills of this freeport.
Yupangco hailed the report on the Pope’s statement as a “welcome development” for animal lovers. He recalled that as a youth living in Bel Air in Manila, he had owned a tiger inherited from a German who was to be deported from the country.
This experience nurtured in him a deep love for animals, he noted. Yupangco, head of the Zoomanity Group Inc., owns not only Zoo-cobia here, but also Zoocolate Thrills in Loboc, Bohol, the Zoobic Safari at Subic Freeport, the Paradizoo in Mendez, Cavite.
So far this year, these sites have hosted some 1.2 million visitors. Pope Francis has created new headlines when he reportedly “suggested” that animals go to heaven.
He was reported to have confirmed this during his weekly address at the St. Peter’s Square in late November. Reports conflicted on whether the Pope made such a statement, with the New York Times saying the declaration was a quote from Paul VI and attributed to Francis.
But in his purported address last November, Pope Francis was quoted to have said: “The Holy Scriptures teach us that the creation of this marvelous design concerns all that is around us, and all that came out of the thoughts and heart of God.”
Huffington Post, translating the Pope’s address published in Italy’s Resapubblica, was further quoted to have said: “Paradise is open to all creatures, and there we will be vested with the joy and love of God, without limits. And it’s so beautiful to think of being face to face with Him who gives strength to the soul.”
The New York Times reported that animal groups such as the Humane Society and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals applauded the pope’s comments, although there were also critics.
The Huffington Post also quoted Fr. James Martin, SJ, a Jesuit priest and author of Jesus: A Pilgrimage, as saying that the Pope’s comments shouldn’t be dismissed.
“This is not an official pronouncement. By the same token, he was pretty clear about what he was talking about and we can’t simply dismiss it. He wasn’t putting forth any major church teaching.
[But] overall I tend to agree with him. One way to look at it is that people have loving relationships with their pets and why would God destroy those loving relationships?” Fr. Martin noted.
Yupangco said his theme parks promote healthy interaction between humans and animals. The Zoocolate Thrills in Bohol also promotes a river cruise around theLoboc River, tram rides and horse and buffalo rides, while Zoobic Safari in Subic allows close encounter between humans and lions wandering in their natural habitat.
Zoobic Safari also has a Serpentarium that showcases exotic reptile collection and Rodent World with its assortment of rodents.
He said that on the other hand, Paradizoo in Cavite is “one-of-a-kind theme park and farm zoo that is full of rich gardens and animals. Some animals are free to roam around, while some can be seen inside their fences.”
