A very beautiful
small park, a real oasis of shade, cool, and quiet within the
throb-bing metropolis, is Paco Park at the multi-intersection
of Padre Faura St, General Luna St, and San Marcelino St. Its
romantic at-mosphere is slightly diminished by the fact that it
originally was built and served as a cemetery. But still, weddings
are popular there on Saturday mornings, and everyday lovers and
others like to stroll in the park, atop the walls and around the
pool in the center.
It was in
1807 that the construction of the cemetery was begun. The cemetery
was put into use in 1820, two years before its completion. In
1859 it was enlarged. The remains of Dr. Jose Rizal were secretly
in-terred there by the Spanish from his death until December 29,
1912. Most of the graves of the original cemetery were in niches
within two thick concentric stone walls. Several rectangular sections
have been built into the outer wall for children's graves. A circular
chapel makes up a part of the inner wall.
The park
is open 8:00 to 17:00 daily, entrance is 1 peso. Paco Park Presents
is a regular feature on Fridays, starting at 18:00, with a variety
of programs. Performances are outdoors unless it rains; then they
are held in the chapel.
Some popular
sights:
Rizal
Park
Paco
Park
Intramuros
Fort
Santiago
San
Agustin Church
The
Manila Cathedral
Quiapo
Church
Malacanang
Palace
CCP
(Cultural Center of the Phils. )
Nayong
Pilipino
Chinese
Cemetery
Bamboo
Organ
Hobbit
House