ONE-STOP HERITAGE TRAIL OPENS as Rizal Park gets a face lift

June is a very important month in the Philippine calendar. Not only because it's the time for weddings but because it's our Independence month and at the same time the birth month of our National Hero Jose Rizal.

Whenever we talk of such, one thing enters our mind----LUNETA. 

Rizal Park as it is otherwise known is steeped in heritage and has been the site of some of the most significant moments in Philippine history. AMong them was the execution of our national hero Jose Rizal, thus the park was renamed in his memory. Also Mariano Gomez, Jose Apolonio Burgos  and jacinto Zamora for their involvement in the 1872 Cavite mutiny. Rizal Park was the place where the Philippine Indepence from US rule was declared on July 4 1946. More recently, it was recently the site of political rallies of former presidents  Ferdinand Marcos and Corazon Aquino.

I constantly visit Rizal park and I have seen its transformation over the years. At times, I see disturbing changes, but most often pleasurable.

A few weeks ago, the NATIONAL PARK DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE under the leadership of Juliet Horfilla Villegas invited us for a tour of Luneta. At first I thought it's just an ordinary event. I later on realized that I haven't seen Luneta for months--at least in detail and I was surprised at the transformation it is undergoing.

A group of bloggers were taken through carriages and tram across this expansive park which is the largest public park in Asia.

Past the Childrens Playgroudn which was even featured in CNN for the effort of the committee in partnership with some students from the University of the Philippines to renovate it and make it more colorful and safe for children. If you have kids, this place is worth checking.

Rizal Park's attractions include the Chinese Garden which has  a small, picturesque lake and pagodas, the Japanese Garden with its romantic lagoon and bridge, Orchidarium, a showcase of the richest collection of orchids in the world and the Monument of Lapu-lapu, a tribute to the country's first national Hero.

They also opened recently a light and show fountain which excites the visitors at night.

Another surprising development is the ONE STOP HERITAGE TRAIL at the Relief Map of the Philippines along Taft Avenue.

The said project is meant to celebrate the upcoming 150th birth anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal . It will serve as an overview of all heritage sites within the country. The walkway was in its final phase of construction when we visited and officially opened in May 20.

Phil Star article here: 

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=63&articleId=688223

Imagine walking through the map of the Philippines and learning a piece of history. Restaurants  with ""al-fresco"" settings of the Philippine and International cuisine will be installed along the walkway on both sides of the ONE-STOP HERIATGE TRAIL. One of the dishes that will be featured is Rizal's personal favorite, ""tinolang manok with papaya""

bloggers during the heritage tour of Luneta

Moreover, the public will have on-the-spot historical information of the sites relating to Dr. Jose Rizal, such as region IV, where Rizal's house is found in Calamba Laguna, Region IX, which houses the Shrine in dapitan Zamboanga del Norte and region V where his first monument stands in Camarines Sur.

All these are efforts of the National Parks Development Committee (NPDC) in collaboration with the Department of Tourism--Office of Product and Research.

the executive director of NPDC Juliet Horfilla Villegas doing presentation for the bloggers

Rizal Park is administered by the National parks Development Committe which is also mandated to develop nearby paco Park and Pook ni Maria makiling Forest Park in Los banos laguna.

In the past, the NPDC, an attached agency of the department of tourism has been led by many prominent personalities including two first ladies. Today, its lead to greater heights by its Executive Director, Juliette Villegas, a veteran of the tourism industry.

She was personally there during the culmination of the tour where she explained to the bloggers in detail the master plan for Rizal Park, the historical background, the ongoing developments and projects as well as future plans. She eagerly answered the questions brought about by the bloggers concerning Rizal Park.

bloggers at the VIN55 restaurant during the media launch

I was personally amazed at what I saw. At least I know now that there is an agency which really has a good vision for the Luneta that we all love. Surprisingly, I talked to some bloggers who admitted that they haven't seen Rizal Park, not even once. Travel bloggers as such. This only shows that some of us still ahve a lot to discover about our own heritage. Wag maging dayuhan sa sariling bayan. For us who occassionaly go to Luneta, this is the good time to visit. Like me, I am sure you will be delighted with  these developments.

Rizal Park has a very rich heritage that it deserves this much needed face lift.

______________________
Erratum: Thanks to one violent comment from a reader, I stand to be corrected--Rizal's first monument stands in Camarines Norte and not in CamSur.:my bad.D