Silliman University Marine Laboratory

I am always fascinated with fishes, corals, and everything that’s underwater.  That’s why I really got giddy when Marc and I decided to visit the Silliman University Marine Laboratory in Dumaguete City Philippines.

But our visit to the Marine Lab was probably the most tiring, but fun.

While we were still inside the Silliman University Main Campus,I asked the guard in Cebuano where the Marine Lab is located. The security guard pointed to the right and blurted “Diha lang sa pikas“. (It’s there, just a few blocks away).

So off we walked, and walked and walked. But no signs of Marine laboratory yet. So I asked again from another local. He said, we’ll just keep on walking, it’s already near. So we continued walking until we both got tired. We asked the local police and he said, “Ahh, the Marine Lab. Take a Tricycle, the driver knows where it is.”

Good thing, we asked the police. The Marine Lab is about 2 kilometers away from the Siliman Main Campus! And we were walking at high noon. Ang layo kaya nun at ang init!

When we arrived at the Silimman University Marine Laboratory gate, we informed the security that we’re there to visit the facility. Entrance fee to the Marine lab is PHP25.

On the main hall of the Marne Lab, are two large aquarium tanks with salt water fishes and live corals. I am not really that impressed with the fishes. It’s like I have seen those fishes before, but I am very amazed at the corals, or whatever you call those stuff. I just love their smooth movement in the water. It’s very relaxing.

Another section of the Marine Laboratory that I truly enjoyed is the Giant Clam culture section. the place is divided from the hatching tanks, rearing tanks, among others.

It is really amazing to see how a tiny speck of shell can grow enormously big. The lips of the clams are like human thumbprints: no two clam lip have the same pattern. The tridacna gigas species of clams which can only be found in the seas of the Philippines is the largest in the world. Harvesting of the giant clams are prohibited in the country.

The laboratory also has a section where they keep Philippine crocodiles. Honestly, I find the section really boring. There’s also a whale museum, but unfortunately, it was closed when we were there.

The Silliman University Marine Lab is located in in the outskirts of Dumaguete City already. It can be found in Bantayan, Dumaguete City.