| 02.25.2020 – Manila is larger than life and some might not have the chance to explore its hidden places that connects to the heritage of the past. Most of the places people notice is the old walled city of Intramuros or the slowly but surely thriving revival of Escolta but there more to what defines Manila as the capital city of the country.
If you have a sense of urban adventure you’ll probably don’t expect finding the places you wanted to go and often I end up going to those usual places I mostly pass by through the daily commutes. Yesterday was one of those days that I would end up going to place I always pass by but don’t get to see it actually and ending up in Paco Park was those unusual times that I should be where I was going. |
Paco Park was originally named as Cementerio General de Dilao, an old cemetery during the Spanish period in Philippine history. It was constructed due to a cholera epidemic in Manila. It is where Dr Jose Rizal and a trio priests or most notably known as the Gomburza (A Portmanteau of the names Fr. Jose A. Burgos, Fr. Mariano C. Gomes and Fr. Jacinto R. Zamora) where buried after their execution in Luneta formerly known as Bagumbayan.
In the Second World War the Japanese forces turned into an ammunitions depot and the thick walls of the cemetery was also an ideal defensive and tactical position as their advantage against the Americans and Filipinos trying to reclaim the city. In the Post-War it was converted into a National Park in 1966 during the term of President Diosdado Macapagal. Paco Park’s grandeur was slowly restored after the war and since then has remained as a public park and promenade for the community.
There are so many stories about Paco Park that most Filipinos won’t even know, but these days this place is usually used for wedding venues and it used to have cultural-related events that would be aired on the Government owned TV network. It has a Catholic Church built at the same time the cemetery was constructed. It has stories and a rich history that I’m not going through the intricate details, but the photos below can give you an idea how Paco Park have seen enough of the country’s heritage going through this place and beyond…
The Paco Park is a sprawling place of exuberance that you may find in privacy of just spending a day from the urban noise to appreciate the nature within the crowded landscapes of the concrete jungle.
It may not offer the rich greenery of some nature park, but it is an alternative to just appreciate the heritage and history that made this place known that most people around the area that generally ignore.
If you have a quick downtime or just try to get some ‘silent time’ to meditate or just step away to the most crowded places this might be the sanctuary that you might try to find as your ‘me time’ to give your mental health something to calm you from the daily challenges that you go through in this busy populace.
Paco Park is open from 8 AM to 5 AM but they start clearing by 4:30 PM during weekdays and it is free entry.
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