Remembering Luneta - Rizal Park

Author: admin

24 Apr

I remember when I was in 4^th grade wayback in 1984, Rizal Park in Luneta, Metro Manila was the favorite spot to visit by families. I was living in the province then and only visiting my aunt every summer and school break. I will never forget the first time my uncles brought me to the Filipinos’ favorite spot, the former “The Park” was also called Bagumbayan (English: New Town). But since the Philippines was under the Spanish rule, it later came to be known as Luneta.

Hope most of the Filipinos will remember the significant moments in Philippine history. This is where our national Hero Dr. José Rizal was executed by firing squad on December 30, 1896.

That was my first and last visit to Rizal Park but I have passed by it for once in a while but never had a chance to really spend time to look around by now. I remember the monument of Dr. Rizal was guarded 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by ceremonial soldiers, known as Kabalyeros de Rizal where his poem, “Mi Ultimo Adios” (”My Last Farewell”) is inscribed on the memorial plaque. There was a big Clock there in the garden I don’t know if it is still there until now. There were also orchestras playing there on Sunday afternoons and I remember it was also shown on local government TV then.

So every time I pass by there and see some foreigners having their pictures taken and you will see the gladness on their faces where they visited one of the famous places in the Philippines, it makes me wonder if we Filipinos are still putting the same importance to the place.

I feel guilty that I always turn my wife down whenever she asks me to have our family day in Luneta. Maybe this is the right time to have a reunion again with Rizal Park after for almost 24 years.