My Rizal Park Photowalk

Rizal Park, much known as the Luneta Park, is a famous tourist attraction and landmark that defines the Filipinos love for their country.

To cite some historically relevant events that transpired here in Rizal Park where these defined our nationalistic roots, let me enumerate them:

1) Dr. Jose Rizal's execution by firing squad on December 30, 1896. This unfortunate event sparked the fire of the Philippine Revolution against our Spanish colonizers.
2) The Declaration of Philippine Independence from American rule was held here on July 4, 1946 
3) The political rallies of Ferdinand Marcos and Corazon Aquino in 1986 that led to the EDSA Revolution that deposed Marcos ending his dictatorial government.
(Source: Wikipedia)

But it has been overlooked before but over the years, it has been developed to be what it was meant to be.. a public park that will make us all proud of its history and new surroundings.

It is always a pleasure for me to walk around here and bask in its ambiance. I find it truly relaxing. I will never get tired of going here.

Below are photos that I took from the park and some of these photos have details that I have only seen that day that I went there. It was fascinating! Let me share them now:

Luneta Park has lots of these huge bird houses at one side of the park. 

A bust of Lapu-Lapu. He is known to be our first Filipino hero. 

A line of busts of significant figures in our history.

A mother and child stone figure that I found amidst the grass in an obscure part of the park.

"A charriot awaits!"

Thomas the Train? Next time I would like to hop on this transpo and go around the park! 

Visitors who would like to experience this ride

A stone figure of a monkey who appears to be against the noise pollution around him. Cute!

A bit European in style but when you look closely, it is a figre of a woman garbed in traditional Filipino dress. 

Families having a relaxing picnic 'neath the trees. Nice!

With the famous Manila Hotel at the back

This scene really caught my fancy! This was the first time that I saw birds enjoying themselves on flat land here at the park. It was a pleasant sight to behold!

There he is, the monument of Dr. Jose Rizal who gave his  short life's works for the benefit of the greater Filipinos.  A martyr. Rizal Park was named after him in his honor. 

Also my first time to see changing of the guards who valiantly stand beside the  monument even in high heat. 

The landmark for Kilometer 0. Located right across the Luneta Park. This marker serves as the nation’s starting point when measuring the distance going to the different provinces and cities in Luzon Island and the rest of the Philippines.

Very nice! A postcard-worthy sight!

The Gomburza landmark. Fathers Gomez, Burgos and Zamora were executed  through Garrote  because they were  suspected of alleged complicity with the military uprising in Cavite. They met their deaths on February 17, 1872. 

Calesa detail on the base of their lamp posts. 

Of course, Luneta Park is a favorite spot of couples for a quiet time to themselves. 

More birds in action! 

Going around Luneta Park is free for everyone. And there are photographers available for those who would like to have a souvenir of their trip to this wonderful place. But still, beware of pickpockets. Always be aware of your surroundings at all times.

Before we go appreciate landmarks of other countries, wouldn't it be wonderful if we explore our own landmarks first so that when we go to these other countries we can tell the people there of what we have in our own country? Just a thought.

Enjoy exploring! =)