A Refresher Walk at the Country's Most Famous Park

There is no park in the country that is more famous than Rizal Park, which is located along Roxas Boulevard and Taft Avenue in the City of Manila. This historical-urban park sets as the home of the Philippine greatest patriot Jose P. Rizal. A 42-feet monument in honor of him stands in the middle area of the park, which also serves as a mausoleum where his remains are placed.

    Rizal Park also known as Luneta(Lunette), named during the Spanish Colonial period because of its crescent shape. Aside from Luneta, it was also called as Bagumbayan, then during the American Colonial period the park was also called Wallace Field. In front of the Rizal monument you will see a marker, from which road distances from Manila were measured, it is called as Kilometer Zero.

     On the northwestern part of the park you can enter the landscaped garden which was arranged by National Artist Idelfonso Santos and see a captivating tableau of statues constructed by sculptor Eduardo Castillo, that commemorates the crucial event on the morning of December 30, 1896 as immortalized in the memorable photograph captured by Manuel Arias Rodriguez. This was the exact place of Rizal's execution in a firing squad by the Spanish colonizers. Contradictory to the popular belief that Rizal was shot where his monument stands. If you have a lot of time to stay in the park wait until nighttime, you can witness the display of light and sound production of Rizal's final hours up to his execution. "The Martyrdom of Rizal" featuring an interactive media dramatization runs every Wednesday to Sunday evening both in English(7:00-7:30pm) and in Filipino(8:00-8:30pm).

  Other Interesting Places to Visit Around the Park

The Japanese Garden

The Japanese Pagoda serves as the main entrance  into the garden. Pagodas are usually made of wood. You can enjoy crossing bridges over fish lagoons. Inside the garden you will see a "gong" it is a percussion instrument that takes the form of a metal disc, these are commonly seen in a Japanese garden. This garden in Rizal Park was created  to build up friendship and mutual understanding between the Filipino and Japanese people.

The Chinese Garden

  

An entrance fee of P10 you can enjoy walking around the garden, you can feel the ambiance of  being in the mainland of China through the sights of Chinese Temple. There is also the statue of Chinese Great Philosopher, Confucius. You can also take a walk in the "Wall of Wisdom"  where  quotable quotes can inspire you.

The Lapu Lapu Monument

  Around the Agrifina Circle is the 50-feet monument of Muslim Chieftain Lapu Lapu. Taking a photo with this towering statue is worth a while.

The Children's Playground

 This place can be appreciated by kids and also kids at heart. It offers swings and slides where children can play as long as they wanted. Kids at heart can also enjoy this place by getting in and out of the Hippopotamus' mouth. You can also climb up and down into the Jurassic creatures cast in cement or you can just sit back and relax under the shades of tall trees which gives you a fresh air to breathe.

             Everyone  can also enjoy capturing  photo on every picturesque area of the park. This photo was taken inside the Japanese Garden.

              We always want to treat ourselves after getting a lot of stress and getting exhausted of our works. A refreshing walk at the country's most famous park can release the stress in our body and in our mind. Walking and enjoying the sights of the park can make us feel relaxed, forget the stress and the demanding needs of our work. It also reminds us of what Dr. Jose Rizal did for our country.  Getting there doesn't need or requires too much budget. There are minimum fees for every entrances enough to enjoy it's offering.

Aliwan Fiesta: The Festival of Champions!

 We Filipinos are known around the world for our love of Fiestas, these are celebrated throughout the year  for some purposes: to honor patron saint, preserve environment, showcase local produce, boost tradition and culture or maybe even pray to find true love and to start a family.

Aliwan Fiesta offers every Filipino fiesta lovers and even Foreign  tourists to witness and watch several Festivals across the country for one day and in one place and that's in the center of the country, Manila.  Coming from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, the champions of every Festival held in different part of the Philippines gather in Manila to compete in the Aliwan Fiesta to showcase their culture and tradition. Aside from the One million peso cash prize, the main goal of every hopeful contingents is to bring pride and honor to their hometown and kababayan.

Kalilangan Festival of General Santos City

I've never been in Cebu to see Sinulog, never been in Iloilo to watch Dinagyang and never had a chance to see Bagiou's Panagbenga Festival. Through Aliwan Fiesta, I had the chance to witness not just one but a lot of popular festivals in the country such as Hermosa Festival, Ang Tipulo Festival, Padang Padang Festival and a lot more.

Mahaguyog Festival of Batangas

There are 20 contingents all across the nation vying for pride and honor and also for the million peso cash prize. All the contingents were in their colorful costumes. Graceful street dancers showcased their culture and tradition with their props and dance moves in front of many audiences at the Quirino Grandstand. Aliwan also proved how creative the Filipinos are through the well decorated Festival floats. And also displayed Filipina beauty with the Reyna ng Aliwan candidates.

Leyte's Pasaka  Festival  Float with their candidate for Reyna ng Aliwan

Here are some highlights of this years Aliwan Fiesta Contingents

Ang Tipulo Festival of Antipolo City

Ang Tipulo Festival is a celebration in honor of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage also called The Virgin of Antipolo. This event also showcase the  product of Antipolenos such as Kasoy(cashew), Suman(sweetened steamed rice) and Mangga(mangoes). Participants danced with  the tune of the famous Folk Song "Tayo na sa Antipolo".

 

 Mango Festival of Zambales

Mango Festival celebrates the bountiful harvest of mango and other agricultural products which was the province is known for. It also highlights the must-see tourist attraction and interesting places of all the town of Zambales.

Adivay Festival of Benguet

Adivay Festival , "Adivay" is an Ibaloi term which means coming together. It aims to forge unity and cooperation among the tribes of Benguet. It is also the best time to promote Benguet's product such as vegetables, gold and silver.

Pandang Gitab Festival of Oriental Mindoro

Pandang Gitab is based on the Philippine Folk dance Pandango sa Ilaw which was told to have originated in Mindoro Island.

Pasaka Festival of Leyte

Pasaka Festival commemorates the landing of General Douglas  MacArthur in the country. This also aims to showcase the culture and tradition of Tanauan, Leyte.

Hermosa Festival of Zambaonga

The Hermosa festival is one of the oldest Festival in the country. This is being held in honor of the Our Lady of Pillar the patroness of Zambaonga City.

Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo

Dinagyang Festival was the most applauded performance in this year's Aliwan, making them the Grand Champion of Aliwan Fiesta 2013 for four consecutive years. This is a religious and cultural festival which  is being done in honor of Sto. Nino. Dinagyang Festival was represented by the Tribu Panayanon.

As a first time viewer of the Aliwan Fiesta, for me that was great. I realized how rich our country in terms of culture and tradition. How thankful we Filipinos of God's blessings. Filipinos are also welcoming, full of smiles in their faces just like how the participants showed their smile on their faces whenever people ask to take a photo with them.  

                      
                     If ever given the opportunity, I would like to set eyes again on the colorful  celebration  of Aliwan Fiesta  next year. I am hoping also that my province Pampanga will  be joining Aliwan next year.