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On June 19, the birthday of Philippine hero Dr. Jose Rizal, visit the colorful past of Rizal Park (also known as Luneta), said to be the birthplace of nationalism.
An Intramuros Learning Session (ILS) about the past, present, and future of Luneta is part of a series of online teachings initiated by the Intramuros Administration, an agency of the Department of Tourism (DOT).
ILS Episode 12 on Friday at 3:00 p.m. is entitled "A Visit to Luneta's Colorful Past, Current State, and Future Developments."
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat will give the opening remarks while two officials from the National Parks Development Committee, also an agency of the DOT, will be the panelists: Cecille Lorenzana Romero, Executive Director, and Jezreel Apelar, Deputy Executive Director.
No fees will be collected to join the learning sessions, which can be viewed via Facebook Live or via Zoom (by the first 100 participants).
Some of the topics to be covered are:
history and development of Luneta over the last 500 years; how Luneta became the Extramuros, and how Luneta, the site of the martyrdom of Dr. Rizal and other heroes, became the birthplace of Philippine nationalism.
Also to be discussed during the learning session are the current state of Luneta as the National Park of the Philippines as well as future projects to preserve Luneta as one of the country's most treasured heritage sites.
Some facts about Rizal Park
The Official Gazette of the Philippine government says the Rizal Monument was built on December 30, 1913 as a tomb and memorial to Dr. Rizal.
The unveiling of the monument happened 17 years after Dr. Rizal's death by musketry.
Before his remains were placed in 58-hectare Rizal Park, Dr. Rizal was secretly buried in Paco Park in an unmarked grave.
The Rizal Monument as well as Rizal Park are at the heart of the architectural masterplan created by the Chicago architect Daniel Burnham for Manila.