RIZAL PARK (LUNETA PARK, MANILA)

Luneta Park is a 58-hectare or 140-acre historical urban park in the city of Manila, Philippines divided into three sections, namely: the 16-hectare/40-acre northeastern section Teodora F. Valencia Circle adjoining Taft Avenue where the Department of Tourism and the National Museum of the Filipino People; the 22-hectare/54-acre central section or the park proper that extends down to Roxas Boulevard; and the tail-end southwestern section which is almost next to Manila Bay that includes the Burnham Green, open field 10-hectare/25-acre, the Quirino Grandstand and the Manila Ocean Park.

The magical and dancing fountain of the park

Luneta is situated at the northern terminus of Roxas Boulevard. To the east of the boulevard, the park is bounded by Taft Avenue, Padre Burgos Avenue and Kalaw Avenue. To the west is the reclaimed area of the park bounded by Katigbak Drive, South Drive, and the shore of Manila Bay.

The boardwalk which cuts through the giant raised-relief map of the Philippines in the middle of a man-made lake

This park is established in 1820 when the Philippines was still a colony of the Spanish crown. Formerly called Bagumbayan before Dr. Jose P. Rizal, the national hero was executed here by the Spaniards on December 30, 1896. The park was renamed in honor to Rizal but is commonly known as Luneta Park.

The statue of Lapu-Lapu, as the center piece of the park's first section

Luneta Park has a marker called Kilometer Zero which is located within Roxas Boulevard side fronting the Rizal Monument where it serves the point from which all road distances from Manila are measured.

The statue of Philippines' National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal where in the same point his remains was buried

Its refreshing scenery and spacious playing and camping grounds continuously attracts local and foreign tourists to visit the place. Besides, there are many attractions here where tourists can surely be entertained. The cluster of magical and dancing fountains is just one of them.

This magical fountain is in the central section or park proper

The park plays a major significance to the Philippines for it was used as a venue for some political activities like staging a huge rally that toppled the dictatorship of former President Ferdinand Marcos and other major rallies against key political leaders and it was twice graced by two popes in the name of the Pope John Paul II now a saint as a venue for World Youth Day and in the January 2015 pastoral visit of Pope Francis.

This photo of Rizal Park in Seattle (Washington) was taken from this link

Dr. Jose Rizal is undoubtedly, one of the most greatest figures in history that even in Seattle, Washington there was a 9.6 acre (39,000 square meters) park which was dedicated to him in 1979 located on the west slope of Beacon Hills. This park consists of a grassy upper area with shelter and picnic tables, a wooded hillside, and an off-leash dog park at the foot of the hill.

HOW TO GET THERE:

This place is very accessible as its location can be asked from any commoner in the city of Manila. Using the LRT transportation system, one can lift at its United Nations (UN) Avenue Station. Various routes of public utility jeep (PUJ) pass through this part of the city whether along the Taft Avenue side in the northeastern section, central section or the Roxas Boulevard side and taxi cabs can take you here, too.