Luneta Park

History:
Rizal Park's history began in 1820 when the Paseo de Luneta was completed
just south of the walls of Manila on a marshy patch of land next to the beach during
Spanish rule. Prior to the park, the marshy land was the location of a small town called
Nuevo Barrio (New Town or Bagumbayan in the Tagalog language) that dates back to
1601; it was cleared during the short British rule in 1762 to prevent sneak attacks from
the patriotic natives. The area later became known as Bagumbayan Field where the
Cuartel la Luneta (Luneta Barracks), a Spanish Military Hospital (which was destroyed
by one of the earthquakes of Manila), and a moat-surrounded outwork of the walled city
of Manila, known as the Luneta (lunette) because of its crescent shape.

West of Bagumbayan Field is the Paseo de la Luneta (Plaza of the Lunette)

named after the fortification, not because of the shape of the plaza which is a long 100-
by-300-meter (330 ft × 980 ft) rectangle ended by two semicircles. It was also
named Paseo de Alfonso XII (Plaza of Alfonso XII), after Alfonso XII, King of Spain
during his reign from 1874 to 1885. Paseo de la Luneta was the center of social activity
for the people of

Manila in the early evening hours. This plaza is arranged with paths and lawns and surrounded by a wide driveway
called "La Calzada" (The Road) where carriages circulate.

Questions:

1. Do you see specific landmark which signifies certain unique features in your place?
Example: a sculpture, a building, a festival, or nature itself.

- Yes, there are various places here in NCR that have their own unique features. Rizal Park
known as Luneta Park was our chosen landmark that is located in Ermita, Manila since Rizal
Park is one of the largest recreational parks in Asia .This was the place where Dr. Jose Rizal
was executed by the Spanish Colonial Authorities.

2. What made you think it is unique or something significant? (Here you may need to make
research or interview some resource persons to know more about the existing art in your
place.)  
- We all know that Luneta park has its own uniqueness because it  is a historic urban park
located in the heart of Manila, the capital city of the Philippines. It’s one of the most
significant landmarks in the country that shouldn’t be missed by every local or foreign
tourist who are traveling to Metro Manila. The hundred year old Monument of Rizal is
probably the country’s most famous, most visited and most photographed monument. It
houses the remains of the Philippines’ most celebrated national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. A visit
to Rizal Park will give you the chance to honor Rizal and appreciate the national heritage he
 left to the Filipinos. Being there will also give you the better position to assess whether Torre
de Manila should be demolished or not.

3. You as a student or residents in your respective places, do you sense the pride or observe

people like the art in your vicinity? 

- Definitely yes, because most of us are wanted to visit the Luneta Park to see the beauty of
the place especially the monument of Rizal Park. It gives a special place in every filipinos
heart because as mention above this where the place Dr. Rizal executed and give a historical
scene for our country where we celebrate national heroes day. In addition, most of the
foreigners also visited Luneta Park to see the history of our country.

4. If so, what do you do to preserve the artworks or landmarks so that people in the next-
gen will continue to appreciate it?
- As a student, we must appreciate and give respect not only to Luneta Park but also to other
landmarks, Sculptures, Buildings, festivals, etc.. Because we must maintain the story and
beauty of it and share it with the next generation.

5. If not, then what made you think you and others do not really know the
importance of such arts?
- For me, the people who are not appreciating the importance of arts are not
interested in it because some of us have different interests in life and do not
enjoy the story, history, and the arts of the Philippines. However, If I have the
chance I will introduce them some of the history happened here in Manila like
in Luneta Park.

References:

N.d. Luneta Park History . Retrieved from : https://sites.google.com/site/lunetapark123456789/history

Man.R ( 2015 ) . 10 Reasons Why Every Filipinos Should Visit Rizal Park in Manila.FAq.ph. Retrieved
from : https://faq.ph/visit-rizal-park-in-manila/

Pictures :