Ermita, Manila

Rizal Park

Manila’s Historic Heart and Urban Oasis

PUBLISHED August 15, 2016

PHOTOS | WORDS BY MARIANO SAYNO

Rizal Park beautifully combines Philippine history and modern culture. Its distinct sections, from cultural institutions to vibrant public spaces, and landmarks like the Rizal Monument and Open-Air Auditorium, highlight the nation’s rich heritage and ongoing cultural life. As a central hub for national events and celebrations, Rizal Park remains a powerful symbol of Filipino identity and pride.

Explore the Philippines through my lens as we venture into Rizal Park with Point of View (POV) photography. Using a body cam, I’ll guide you on an interactive tour, revealing the behind-the-scenes of capturing the shots shared here. Let’s dive into this visual journey together and uncover the wonders through my lens!

Let’s explore the PHILIPPINES through my lens as we journey on a photo slideshow to Rizal Park. Join me in this visual adventure and discover the wonders captured through my lens! Check out the shared slideshow here.

Rizal Park, also known as Luneta, is a historic urban park situated in Ermita, Manila. Spanning 58 hectares (140 acres), it is one of the largest parks in the Philippines. The park is thoughtfully divided into three distinct sections, each offering unique features.

Check out the video for more highlights. See what I’ve captured through my lens with Point of View (POV) photography. Using a body cam, I’ll take you on an interactive tour, showing you behind-the-scenes moments of capturing the shots shared here.

Check out the video below for additional features. Explore what I’ve captured through my lens in this cinematic slideshow.

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ABOVE: The Rizal Monument, honoring José Rizal and unveiled in 1913, is located in Rizal Park, designated in 1955, and underwent major renovations in 2011.

Park Sections

Rizal Park is thoughtfully divided into three main sections, each offering distinct features and attractions. The Northeastern Section encompasses 16 hectares (40 acres) and is designated as the National Museum Complex. This area includes Agrifina Circle and houses both the National Museum of Natural History and the National Museum of Anthropology, making it a central cultural hub that showcases the rich historical and biological heritage of the Philippines.

The Central Section, located south of Maria Orosa Street, covers 22 hectares (54 acres) and extends down to Roxas Boulevard. This part of the park is centered around the Rizal Monument, which stands as a significant landmark. Here, visitors can find several notable attractions, including the Open-Air Auditorium, the Independence Flagpole, and the Central Musical and Dancing Fountain, all contributing to the park’s vibrant atmosphere.

To the southwest, the Southwestern Section features Burnham Green, a spacious 10-hectare (25-acre) open field that provides a large area for recreational activities and gatherings. This section also includes the Quirino Grandstand and the Manila Ocean Park along Manila Bay, offering a scenic and expansive setting for various events and leisure activities.

Historical Significance

Rizal Park occupies a site historically known as Bagumbayan during the Spanish colonial period, located near the historic Walled City of Intramuros. Its origins date back to 1820 when the Paseo de Luneta was completed on a marshy stretch of land next to the beach. Before becoming a park, this area was home to Barrio Nuevo, or Bagumbayan, a small settlement established in 1601. The local church originally housed the Black Nazarene, but following the demolition of the village and its church, the statue was relocated to San Nicolas de Tolentino in Intramuros, with a replica later enshrined at Quiapo Church. This relocation is commemorated annually on January 9 during the Traslación, or Feast of the Black Nazarene.

Adjacent to Bagumbayan Field was the Paseo de la Luneta, also known as the Plaza of the Lunette or Paseo de Alfonso XII, named after King Alfonso XII of Spain, who reigned from 1874 to 1885. This plaza was a vibrant center of social activity in the early evening, featuring paths and lawns surrounded by a broad driveway called “La Calzada” (The Road), where carriages would circulate.

During the Spanish colonial era, particularly from 1823 to 1897, Rizal Park gained notoriety as a site for public executions. Among the 158 political prisoners executed here were the three Filipino priests, Mariano Gomez, José Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora—collectively known as Gomburza—who were executed by garrote on February 17, 1872, following their alleged involvement in the 1872 Cavite mutiny.

ABOVE: The silhouette of the Rizal Park monument glows golden against the sunset backdrop of Manila Bay at Luneta Park.

Monument and Modern Developments

The park’s most prominent feature, the Rizal Monument, is a bronze-and-granite landmark that stands as one of the most famous sculptural monuments in the Philippines. It is customary for visiting dignitaries to lay a wreath at the monument, which not only features a statue of José Rizal but also enshrines his remains. The monument was established following Act No. 243 approved by the United States Philippine Commission on September 28, 1901, to honor José Rizal, the Filipino patriot, writer, and poet. An international design competition was held between 1905 and 1907, inviting sculptors from Europe and the United States to submit entries with an estimated cost of ₱100,000 using local materials. The first-prize entry was by Carlos Nicoli of Carrara, Italy, titled “Al Martir de Bagumbayan” (To the Martyr of Bagumbayan). However, the contract was awarded to Swiss sculptor Richard Kissling for his design titled “Motto Stella” (Guiding Star). After more than twelve years, the monument was unveiled on December 30, 1913, on the 17th anniversary of Rizal’s death. His poem “Mi último adiós” (“My Last Farewell”) is inscribed on the memorial plaque, and the site is guarded by ceremonial soldiers from the Philippine Marine Corps’ Marine Security and Escort Group.

The area was officially designated as a national park on December 19, 1955, by President Ramon Magsaysay, covering approximately 16.24 hectares (40.1 acres) around the Rizal Monument.

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ABOVE: The Independence Flagpole in Luneta Park marks the spot where the Philippines declared its independence on July 4, 1946, symbolizing the country’s freedom and pride.

In 1957, President Carlos P. Garcia issued Proclamation No. 470, transferring the park’s administration to the Jose Rizal National Centennial Commission. By 1961, the National Library was inaugurated at the park in honor of Rizal’s centennial. Management was later handed over to the National Parks Development Committee (NPDC), established in 1963 by President Diosdado Macapagal.

In 1967, President Ferdinand Marcos renamed Luneta National Park to Rizal Park. Under NPDC executive director Teodoro Valencia, the park was expanded, and the Chinese and Japanese Gardens were established through donations from the Taiwanese and Japanese governments. Valencia also introduced the popular “Concert at the Park” event series.

In 2011, Rizal Park underwent a significant renovation by the National Parks Development Committee. The restoration was led by William Schaare, a German-Filipino who had previously designed the old musical dancing fountain in the 1960s. The renovation included the restoration of notable features such as the Flower Clock, now known as the World-Class Filipino Bloom, the Noli Me Tangere Garden, and the Luzviminda Boardwalk. These enhancements were completed in time for the 150th birthday celebration of José Rizal.

Notable Events

Rizal Park has been the site of several pivotal events in Philippine history. On February 18, 1981, the park hosted the beatification mass of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz and his companions, marking a historic first as it was the first beatification ceremony held outside the Vatican, coinciding with Pope John Paul II’s apostolic visit. On February 16, 1986, the park became a crucial venue for mass protests, including the Tagumpay ng Bayan rally, which opposed the rule of Ferdinand Marcos and culminated in the People Power Revolution. The park was also central to the Philippine Centennial Celebrations on June 12, 1998, which featured a Grand Centennial Parade and drew over five million people to celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of the Philippine Declaration of Independence. Additionally, Rizal Park has served as the venue for presidential inaugurations every June 30, starting from 1992, underlining its significance in the nation’s political and cultural events.

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ABOVE: Rizal Park, also known as Luneta, is a historic 58-hectare urban park in Ermita, Manila, and one of the largest in the Philippines, divided into three distinct sections each offering unique features.

Key Venues

The park is home to several notable venues that enhance its role as a vibrant cultural and entertainment hub. The Open-Air Auditorium, designed by the renowned national artist for architecture Leandro Locsin, offers a variety of free performances to the public, organized by the NPDC, the Department of Tourism, and People’s Television. The auditorium hosts a diverse array of shows, including dance, theater, and musical performances by both local and international artists. It also features “Cinema in the Open-Air,” which provides free screenings of critically acclaimed films.

The Quirino Grandstand, originally known as the Independence Grandstand, was designed by architect Juan M. Arellano to accommodate the large crowds expected for the proclamation of Philippine Independence on July 4, 1946, and to alleviate congestion in front of the Legislative Building. Designed in a Neoclassical style, the grandstand was later modified by Federico Illustre, chief architect at the Bureau of Public Works. Completed on a reclaimed area along Manila Bay, it became the site where President Elpidio Quirino was inaugurated. Since then, it has been the traditional venue for presidential inaugurations and numerous significant political, cultural, and religious events.

The Parade Grounds and Burnham Green are key areas within the park. The Parade Grounds are popular for fun runs, races, motorcades, and parades. Named in honor of American architect Daniel Burnham, Burnham Green is a large open space designed to accommodate large gatherings and serve as a picnic area. It also hosts various sports activities and features notable landmarks, including a Narra tree planted by Pope Paul VI and a bronze statue of San Lorenzo Ruiz gifted by Pope John Paul II.

Valor’s Hall (Bulwagan ng Kagitingan), located within the Light and Sound Complex, is distinguished by its artistic design and is a sought-after venue for events and cocktail receptions, renowned for its elegant setting.

Gardens

Rizal Park also includes several beautifully curated gardens. The Children’s Playground, located in the southeastern corner, was renovated in 2011 to provide a modern space for children. The Chinese Garden features an ornate gate with swirling dragons and includes a lagoon surrounded by pagodas and gazebos with red pillars and green-tiled roofs. The Japanese Garden, established to promote friendship between Japan and the Philippines, offers a tranquil setting with Japanese-style landscapes, lagoons, and bridges. The Noli Me Tangere Garden, recently unveiled, includes the Heidelberg fountain—a gift symbolizing Filipino-German friendship—and a bust of Ferdinand Blumentritt. Finally, the Orchidarium and Butterfly Pavilion, created in 1994 from a former parking lot, showcases a rich variety of Philippine orchids and butterflies and serves as a popular venue for weddings.

ABOVE: Luneta Park is home to beautiful gardens filled with lush greenery and colorful flowers, making it a great place to relax and enjoy nature.

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Park Sections

Historical Significance

Monument and Modern Developments

Notable Events

Key Venues

Gardens

Additional Attractions

LOCATIONS PROVINCES

ARCHITECTURE HERITAGE

CHURCHES FAITH

NATURAL & MAN-MADE ATTRACTIONS

FESTIVALS & EVENTS

LOCATIONS
PROVINCES

ARCHITECTURE
HERITAGE

CHURCHES
FAITH

NATURAL & MAN-MADE
ATTRACTIONS

FESTIVALS &
EVENTS