Historically Philippines with its 7,100 islands has so many historical sites and sceneries that we Filipinos should proud of. These historical sites remember our history as Filipinos. But some of this historical sites are being neglected or not been maintained anymore. One of this is the Luneta Park or Rizal Park. Lets bring back some of our history of Luneta Park for a while. Luneta has been the site of some of the most significant moments in Philippine history. Among them is the execution of José Rizal on December 30, 1896, whose execution made him a hero of the Philippine Revolution. (It was officially renamed Rizal Park in his memory). The name “Luneta” is synonymous to the word “lunette”; the park was said to have the shape of a half moon in Spanish times and situated next to a Spanish fort serving as a buffer during rebellions by the locals. They say that in previous decades, tourists stayed at Rizal Park for about an hour to stroll around and to learn about its historical significance. But now, tourists only stay for five minutes to take pictures of the Rizal Monument.
Rizal Park is the main tourist attraction of Manila, the country’s capital. But look how it is now shoddy and dirty. It’s really about time that we restore Rizal Park to its former glory. In efforts to restore its beauty and attract more tourist the Department of Tourism and Manila City Government wants to renovate the park. One of the main attractions of the Park is the Central Lagoon Fountain near Rizal Monument. And after several months being repaired is finally finished. The park’s Central Lagoon Dancing Fountain, long there since 1968, was re-launched Thursday, December 16, by the city government and the Department of Tourism in a cultural spectacle topping it with fireworks the Luneta Dancing Music Fountain is free for public view. The new fountain was designed by German-Filipino William Schaare, who also developed the original fountain 42 years ago. The Dancing Fountain in Luneta Park, and one of the main tourist attraction, can now be enjoyed again by the public for free view in the morning and evening, 2 hours each. Everyday, two hours each morning and evening, visitors to the Rizal Park can view multi-colored jets of water sway and spout in sync with carols along the monument of national hero Jose Rizal.
The newly redesigned Luneta Dancing Music Fountain features as much as 88 feet high of pulsating fountain, while 38 smaller squirts of water surround it. In addition, a choir serenades Luneta visitors as LASER lights dances along the synchronized fountain. Meanwhile, Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim told the news that the re-launching of the Luneta Dancing Music Fountain is only the first step restore Rizal Park, where the monument of Philippines’ national hero Jose Rizal also stands. Aside from the ongoing restorations of some of Intramuros main attractions, the renovation of Rizal Park is another welcome development from Manila.
