Rizal Park also known as Luneta Park , is a historical park located along Roxas Boulevard , City of Manila Philippines, adjacent to the old walled city of Intramuros. Since the Spanish Collonnial era, the Park has been a favourite leisure spot, and is frequented on Sundays and national holidays. It is one of the major tourist attractions of the City of Manila.The history of the park began in the early 1800’s under the Spanish rule. The name “Luneta” was derived from the word “Luna” because the area was shaped like a moon. Before, the former name of the place was Bagumbayan (new town) and was later named Luneta..
HOW TO GET TO LUNETA PARK or RIZAL PARK
Landmarks around Rizal Park: Quirino Grandstand, Manila Ocean Park, Museong Pambata, Museum of the City of Manila, US Embassy, Bayview Park Hotel, Manila Pavilion Hotel, PhilamLife Building, World Health Organization, Central Methodist Church, Manila Doctors Hospital, SM Savemore, Araullo High School, Manila Police District, Sta, Isabel College, National Museum, Technological University of the Philippines, St. Vincent De Paul Parish, Adamson University, Intramuros.
From Marikina,if your going to COMMUTE
- ride jeep to Cubao -- fare P 15.00
- walk to MRT CUbao Station
- ride MRT to MRT Taft Avenue Station--fare P14.00
- from MRT Taft Avenue station walk going to LRT EDSA Station
- take LRT to LRT UN Avenue Station --fare P 15.00
- walk going to Rizal Park or Luneta is bounded by the Relief Map of the Philippines and Quirino Grandstand on each of its ends.
From the CaMaNaVa* (north of Manila) area:
*CaMaNaVa stands for Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela- Option 1. From Monumento, take an LRT 1 Yellow Line going to Taft and get down at United Nations station. This will be the start of Luneta/Rizal Park.
- Option 2. From Monumento, ride a jeepney along Rizal Avenue bound for Taft Avenue and asked to be dropped at T.M. Kalaw.
From around Manila:
- Option 1. Ride a jeepney along Rizal Avenue bound for Taft Avenue and asked to be dropped at T.M. Kalaw.
- Option 2. Take an LRT 1 Yellow Line going to Taft and get down at United Nations station, walk towards T.M. Kalaw.
- Option 3. From Lawton/City Hall area, ride a jeepney going to Baclaran and get down at the Shell Station at the corner of M.H.Del Pilar and T.M.Kalaw.
- Option 4. Along Roxas Boulevard, there are FX that are Sucat-Lawton. You can ride this and asked to be dropped at Luneta.
From the south (Pasay, Makati, Paranaque and more southern area):
- Option 1. Ride an FX or bus bound for Manila City Hall or Lawton and get down at Luneta.
- Option 2. From SM Mall of Asia or along Taft Avenue, take a jeepney bound for Divisoria either via Taft or Mabini route. Get down at Luneta.
- Option 3. Ride the LRT 1 Yellow Line bound for United Nations Station and get down at United Nations Station and walk towards T.M. Kalaw.
- Option 4. Around Makati and Pasay, ride Libertad-LRT or Buendia-LRT bound jeepneys or Ayala-Leveriza bound buses and get down at the LRT station. Ride either an LRT or jeepney along Taft Avenue and get down at United Nations Station or Luneta/Rizal Park.
- Option 5. Along Roxas Boulevard, there are FX that are Sucat-Lawton. You can ride this and asked to be dropped at Luneta.
For private vehicles
Rizal Park is accessible via Roxas Boulevard and Taft Avenue. It is actually advisable to come from Roxas Boulevard as there's ample parking and usually less car at this area. Taft Avenue usually have congested traffic.Of course, you can ride a taxicab from any parts of Metro Manila and just mention to the driver to bring you to "Luneta", or"Rizal Park".
Historical Background
Luneta is also an important site in Philippine history. The execution of national hero Jose Rizal on December 30, 1896, fanned the flames of the 1896 Philippine Revolution against the Kingdom of Spain.
The area was officially renamed Rizal Park in his honor, and the monument enshrining his remains serves as the park's symbolic focal point.
The Declaration of Philippine Independence from the American Occupation was held here on July 4, 1946 as were later political rallies including those of Ferdinand Marcos and Corazon Aquino in 1986 that culminated in the EDSA Revolution.
The Declaration of Philippine Independence from the American Occupation was held here on July 4, 1946 as were later political rallies including those of Ferdinand Marcos and Corazon Aquino in 1986 that culminated in the EDSA Revolution.
The Philippines' Kilometre Zero is located within the Park on Roxas Boulevard, in front of the Rizal Monument. It serves as the point from which all road distances from Manila are measured.
Highlighted Events happened at the Luneta Park
- July 4, 1946 – The full independence of the Republic of the Philippines was proclaimed and authorized by US President Harry Truman.
- 1949 – President Elpidio Quirino took his oath as the new president of the country and was the first president to have taken his sworn of duty after winning the election. Since then, Philippine Presidents traditionally take their oaths and deliver their inaugural address to the nation in the Quirino grandstand.
- June 12, 1998 – Philippines and Filipinos celebrated the Centennial Anniversary of the country’s independence. The prideful and happy event was then led by former President Fidel V. Ramos.
- January 15, 1996 World Youth Day – The closing mass of the World Youth Day was held in the park and was attended by 5 million people.
Enjoyable activities can be done here
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Most families spreaded their mats around and having dinner picnic.
Most families spreaded their mats around and having dinner picnic.
Attractions in the place- During the night the music started to play and the fountain started to strike colorful lights. It was an amazing dancing fountain show! Kids and adults were even dancing with the music! There was also an artificial falls nearby that also changes colors!
- Orchidarium and Butterfly Pavilion was established in 1994. It is a hectare of land that was transformed into a replica rainforest park. You will see inside the orchidarium the different species of Philippine orchids and butterflies. To learn more about this place you can visit.
- Lapu-Lapu Monument was a gift from Korea as a thanks and honor to the Filipino soldiers who helped during the Korean War. Lapu-Lapu was the first national hero of the Philippines who fought gallantly against Magellan and his men. Magellan and some of his men were killed during the fight. It was later called the Battle of Mactan.
- Diorama of Rizal’s Martyrdom. It is located on the north area of Rizal monument. A set of statues were built on the same spot were Dr. Jose Rizal was executed.
- Japanese Gardens. It was built to uphold the good relationship between the country of Japan and the Philippines. You will see inside the garden beautiful landscapes like Japanese style gardens, lagoon and bridges.
- Chinese garden. The first thing you will see in this garden is the Chinese-style gate. It has carvings with swirling dragons. Once you get inside the garden, you will see pagodas and gazebos.
- There’s a large Philippine map carved in stone situated in the middle of the river near the foot bridge of the park.
- Here is an adaptation of the original Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends from United Kingdom. It is found in the Philippines and a featured attraction in Luneta Park from which can try for a ride for a cheap fifty (50) peso fare and it will tour you around the park premise.
Statue of Madre Filipina—quite charming and captivating, many local and foreign tourists have their picture taken in front of its chalky-superwhite painted composite sculpture;
SOURCES
http://www.metromaniladirections.com/2010/05/how-to-get-to-rizal-park-or-luneta.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rizal_Park
http://www.philippinetouristattractions.com/luneta-park/
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Asia/Philippines/City_of_Manila/Manila-1391614/Things_To_Do-Manila-Luneta_Rizal_Park-BR-1.html
http://interestingfactsaboutthephilippines.blogspot.com/2012/10/what-are-attractions-in-luneta-park.html#.VKIW4l4Ag
http://traveladventurejl.blogspot.com/2013/12/luneta-park-and-intramuros-manila.html
http://traveladventurejl.blogspot.com/2013/12/luneta-park-and-intramuros-manila.html
