Rizal Park!
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Locally known by its previous name Luneta Park or just Luneta.
Rizal Park is like an oasis for relaxation and fun in the midst of Manila and situated next to Intramuros. Rizal Park has gardens, historical markers, plazas, a grand stadium, an observatory, an open-air concert hall, an artists' sanctuary, a light-and-sound theatre, restaurants, food kiosks and playgrounds, and dozens of fountains. Rizal Park is in the heart of Manila's thriving financial, commercial, industrial and institutional centers, overlooking the famous and picturesque Manila Bay.
However the
Jose Rizal, the Philippine National Hero.
At the center of it all is the 1913 bronze Rizal's monument situated a few meters away from the marker indicating the actual execution site.
An honor guard is on duty 24 hours a day. Behind the monument, the original Spanish version of the poem "Mi Ultimo Adios" is engraved, along with translations in other languages. Rizal wrote this poem while imprisoned in his cell in Fort Santiago from November 3, 1896 to December 29, 1896.
Many national dedication days are held in front of the Rizal monument.
It is also where foreign leaders attend wreath-laying ceremonies during state visits.
The park is divided into three sections beginning with the 16-hectare Agrifina Circle adjoining Taft Avenue, where the Department of Tourism and the National Museum of the Filipino People (formerly the Department of Finance) are located; followed by the 22-hectare park proper that extends down to Roxas Boulevard; and terminating at a 10-hectare open field across Roxas Boulevard fronting Quirino Grandstand along the Manila Bay.
The 31-meter Philippine flagpole is called kilometer zero, because it is where the distance of the country's towns and cities is measured from. Just beside the flagpole is Rizal monument, where foreign leaders attend wreath-laying ceremonies during state visits.
A small botanic garden near Rizal Park. Admission P 100 and P 60 with a student card.
It is also where Manuel Roxas, first President of the Republic, was sworn in on July 4, 1946.From the Rizal monument, one can see the Quirino Grandstand, the
Chinese Gardens are found within Rizal Park. The Japanese Gardens are also found within Rizal Park,
is authentic but in miniature. It was developed to promote friendship and mutual
understanding between the Japanese and Filipino people.
On the northern side of the park is the Lights and Sounds of Rizal - an audio-visual and three-dimensional diorama of Rizal's execution, consisting of life-size sculptures by Eduardo Castrillo.
The Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal, a Light and Sound Sculptural Tableau is a "living" memorial honoring the Philippine's national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal.
The tableau is an open-air theater presentation, featuring a 30-minute dramatization of the most poignant moments of Rizal's final hours, through 8 monumental sculptural clusters in an interplay of light and sound.