Resto also offers a mini-zoo

By Joyce Mejillano

Polangui, Albay

WANT to experience savoring your favorite lunch while a nearly three-meter-long python watches in peace, or a crocodile opens its long mouth in an expression of “hello,” or an eagle at your back appears ready to partake of your food if offered?

You don’t have to go to a zoo to do that. Just drop by a restaurant-bar in Polangui town in Albay along the Maharlika Highway, about 45 minutes drive from Legazpi City and a few minutes’ ride from the town proper.

Visitors from Metro Manila will find the place special for food lovers, especially of delicious “lutong-bahay (home-cooked dishes),” as well as animal lovers.

Bastian Restaurant and Wildlife Center satisfies not only one’s taste for native dishes and his favorite cuisine, but also his wish to commune with erstwhile wild animals.

“I’ve been an animal lover ever since, that’s why when I put up this bar and restaurant, I decided to put a mini-zoo,” said John Liao, the owner.

Liao said starting the mini-zoo was not that difficult. He started with two eagles donated by a friend. “When my other friends learned about it, they also donated other wild animals like deer, snakes, iguanas, more eagles and others,” he said.

At present, he has more than 40 wild animals, which include the endangered bleeding heart pigeon, oriental civets and a chattering lorry.

Just a few steps from the main dining area is a pond full of different fish species and water lilies.

“While waiting for their orders, customers can stroll around first without additional charge and see those wonderful creatures, some of which are already considered endangered. They can also go fishing in the pond nearby,” Liao said.

Armando Moreno, Liao’s caretaker since Bastian was established in 1994, said the business started as a small “carinderia (eatery)” catering to employees of a nearby communications company and motorists traveling the south-bound road.

Moreno said they spent at least P500 per day to maintain the zoo.

School children also come to the place for an educational tour and see the wild animals.

The mini-zoo is accredited by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

“In business you should think something uncommon that might also click among your customers,” Liao advised. “I want to make this place very different from others so that at least when my customers leave my place, they will remember something weird about it.”