Discovering My City | Rizal Park

I have a dream of traveling the world. And if money is no object, I would have easily done it. But, as it is, I’m just your lowly, everyday drone worker who doesn’t have the cash to burn for such luxuries.

So I guess I just have to make do with what’s readily available and economical. And what better way to do that than to discover my own city, Manila.

So today I decide to go to the Rizal Park, one of the well-known places here which has long been a center of the city’s social life. It is however, better known as the place where the national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, was executed. And so in honor of his martyrdom, the park was named after him. The other names used alternatively for the park are Luneta and Bagumbayan. There’s also a statue of Rizal built in the middle of the park.

There is a sound-and-light show depicting events in his life leading up to his execution. There is even a replication of the firing squad complete with flashing heat, smoke and the sound of gunshot emanating from the bronze rifles of the statues. It was quite ingenious, actually, how they were made.

If you want some peace and quiet and just want to experience some tranquil surroundings, you might want to try the Chinese gardens for only P20. Just to have this in the middle of a crowded city makes you appreciate its existence although a lot can be done to improve it, especially the pond. I think it would be nice if they transform it into a koi pond. I just wish people are more disciplined and not litter the place.

I’ve noticed that there’s a lot of art installations put up everywhere, just like this stainless sculpture that was given as a gift from Korea, known as Soul Wave. As the marker says, it represents “all souls of humanity united in their cause for freedom”. It symbolizes Korea and Philippines’ “sacred shores” which both countries “protect against all forms of oppression”, and whose “common sacred shores are its love for freedom”.

There’s also a gigantic statue of another Filipino hero who hails from Cebu, called Lapu-Lapu. It’s called the Statue of the Sentinel of Freedom. The plaque on its marker says: “Ne’er shall invaders trample thy sacred shores”. Lapu-Lapu was the one who killed Magellan in a battle for the islands. Magellan is the famous Portuguese explorer who led the expedition that circumnavigated the world. Unfortunately for him, he did not live to see that day because of his untimely death in the hands of Lapu-Lapu.

By nightfall, the park comes alive with the dancing fountain whose movements synchronize with the background music and whose colors change from time to time, giving much pleasure to the eyes. It is such a hit among the crowd especially during holidays.

The musical fountain caps a fun-filled day at the park. I wish more people would appreciate this little pocket of green in a congested city and I hope whoever is in charge of its maintenance and development is able to really up the ante. I believe exciting things are happening to the park and is on its way to becoming world-class. I couldn’t wait for that day to arrive.