It had been quite a while since I’ve been to one of the most refreshing spots in Manila, Rizal Park. Like a lot of places in the Metro, it too had lots of recent developments, and here’s how it looked like as of August 2014.
Rizal Park was recently mentioned as one of Asia’s highest rated parks and green spaces
It was a Saturday afternoon, I’ve got nothing to do and a camera waiting for a long time to be used. The sky was surprisingly clear and the sun slowly setting, a photo walk was in the making…
The relief map of the Philippines with the Luzviminda Boardwalk
The boardwalk traverses through the relief map for a closer view
I wonder if the terrain is scaled accurately
A unique calesa that traverse the park
What I do not get is why the statue of Lapu-Lapu in the park is bigger than that of Jose Rizal
One of the beautiful trees that line the park
What I love about Rizal Park: wide and open green spaces where you’re allowed to step on the grass and have a picnic or simply lie down and watch the clouds
The Flower Clock that sadly does not work
Rizal Park Open Air Auditorium
A shuttle that runs across the park
It was a day perfect for contrails
The Dancing Fountain at the Central Pool: best seen at night as it “dances” with light, music, and even fire!
The Independence Flagpole: the country’s tallest flagpole and is more massive than what the picture suggests
Together with the Jose Rizal National Monument
See how tall it is compared to people
The Jose Rizal National Monument with its new unsightly resident photo bomber
Just a little bit of history about the Jose Rizal National Monument
I think this is the idea on how to block the unsightly photo bomber behind the monument, but there aren’t any trees yet in place to specifically “hide” the blemish in the skyline
Here is the place where Dr. Jose Rizal became a martyr
Right across the Jose Rizal National Monument is a spot called Kilometer Zero (which is currently under repair) and this gateway to the Quirino Grandstand
I used to be very afraid of this statue when I was little because it looked like it would come to life any moment
Sunset behind the Quirino Grandstand: it was also a perfect day for flying kites
Don’t you just love it when you’re allowed to step on the grass?
The latest attraction in the area just behind the Grandstand…
…the Manila Ocean Park
The ticket booth and rates
Guide map to the Manila Ocean Park
The H2O Hotel right on Manila Bay
The skyline of Manila from the bay
Something old and new, the Luneta Hotel: I’m so glad that this old and historic building was saved from demolition and had found a place in today’s Manila
A closer view of the hotel
There are some changes that are good, there are some changes that are not so good (namely that eyesore behind Jose Rizal National Monument). Generally speaking, Rizal Park remains to be a place worth visiting, and I hope it remains this way for generations to come.
* All photos taken with a SONY NEX 5N using SEL16F28 lens.
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