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! =)

Manila tour..appreciating what this city has to offer (3rd Round)

♫Manila, I keep coming back to Manila..

Simply no place like Manila

Manila, I'm coming home♫

I should have made this blog last January but things keep on piling up thus delaying the process but I'm glad to do it now.

This is yet again another leg in our series of Manila City trips. Different companions, some same places visited but I never get tired of it. I actually feel relaxed while walking through the busy streets of this eclectic city.

For this journey, here is my group.. (not included in the photo is our great photographer)

@ Chinatown's Friendship Arch

For starters, we all met up at Jollibee in Guadalupe. 7am was our meeting time but the latest person in our group arrived at 8am, so after the last pax, we headed off to the Pasig River Cruise Terminal. We just paid for less than Php50 from Guadalupe to Escolta.

The Post Office..from behind

It took us 1hour and a half to reach our destination because we made a long stopover before and at front of the Malacañang Palace. Security's tight! But we're not complaining. It was actually quite an experience for us. And to mention, the day we rode this ferry, it was temporarily their last day of operation because for now, they've stopped their routes because of internal disputes, that's according to their representative. We sure were lucky to have made it in the nick of time. :)

Our First Stop: Chinatown, of course, you should not miss this place for its crawling with our Chinese heritage and influences. And the restos here are absolutely fantastic!

Big and gorgeous cauliflowers for a very low price

Eng Bee Tin

Wai Ying's jampacked! A must-visit resto..try their TaiPao and Hakaw

Next Stop: San Lorenzo Ruiz Minor Basilica Shrine. The artwork at their ceiling is great, it adds depth to the over-all impact of the church. 

I just love old churches!

Next Stop: National Museum. Whoa! Haven't visited this place since high school fieldtrip days but I guess, it's time to come back. I'm not being forced,  in fact, this is on our list of must-see places for the day.

Juan Luna's Spoliarium..so large!so majestic!

a big whale's remains :)

his pose was in'sync with the art form

Next Stop: Intramuros. This walled city never fails to capture the interest of visitors, both local and foreign. So much history contained in one place. Every nook and cranny seems to burst with stories to tell, well, that's how I see it.

definitely one of the places I would love to just simply hang out..but just be careful not to be hit with golf balls, that's the catch :)

resting while camwhoring

we were so thirsty that I gulped 2 bottles of drinks here in this sari-sari store

In memory of the victims of World War II

Next Stop: San Agustin Church. One of the oldest and important churches in the Philippines. It's very extravagant, I think,inside but surely beautiful. We were lucky to witness the bridal march of a lucky girl there. We were just a small group amongst a big number of onlookers present at that time, even curious tourists.

I love her gown! :)

Next Stop: Manila Cathedral. In a span of just around 20minutes, maybe, we witnessed 2 sets of weddings. One just finished and right away, next couple was rushed in. Now I don't want my wedding (if I do get married, hehe) to be like that. I want solemnity and relaxed pacing.

Captivating exterior..

..as well as interiors

La Pieta

Next Stop: Fort Santiago. The last time that I was here, before this trip, the skies opened up to us and poured a huge portion of rain that is stored up above. So we really appreciated its beauty and history more this time around. We were able to go down the steps leading to the dungeon and had a fleeting scary moment (but I guess it was just our imaginations, no biggie).

Picture perfect!

with Manong Guard who gamely posed with us

where they kept their ammunitions and more..

enjoying ourselves

 Next Stop: Luneta Park. Very quintessential especially now that it's being taken good care of by the government. The greens were perfectly manicured and there were attractions that people can enjoy when passing by at the park or while hanging out there. But most importantly, one should not forget the real reason why the Luneta has to be kept well at all times..Jose Rizal. That's it. 

Next Stop: Baywalk to catch the sunset. We almost did not make it because we had to walk from Luneta to Baywalk and dusk is creeping in rather fast so we really hurried even to the point that me and my friend crossed dangerously at the very busy and wide street. Not to be followed, of course. But we did catch some of the rays left and we were so lucky because after getting some snaps, that was the time that the rain fell over our heads.

Thank goodness we all had a nice and educational trip..very tiring yet fruitful Manila day tour. 

Our Last Stop: We all were hungry after all that walking that we did so we walked some more but in the direction of the mall to have our dinner. Once there, it took us some time to decide where to eat then we landed at Gerry's..or Dencio's, I'm not sure anymore but we had a great dinner. 

Then time to go home . :)

♫Manila,Manila

Miss you like hell, Manila

No place in the world like Manila

I'm coming here to stay♫