Rizal Monument in Manila - Philippines

Rizal Park in Manila is like an oasis for fun and excitement in the midst of a bustling city. The park is situated near the Walled City of Intramuros. It also features beautiful gardens and fountains, plazas, a stadium, an observatory, a sanctuary for artists, a concert hall, a light and sound theater, eating establishments, food stalls and playgrounds for children. The park overlooks Manila Bay.

The Rizal Monument was constructed in loving memory of Dr. Jose Rizal who was sentenced to die by firing squad at this location on December 30th, 1896, on charges of inciting rebellion against the Spanish authorities. The monument of Rizal was built in 1913.

An honor guards stands before the monument twenty-four hours a day. Behind Dr. Jose Rizals monument, the original version of the Mi Ultimo Adios in Spanish is engraved, alongside the translation of the poem in other languages. Dr. Rizal wrote Mi Ultimo Adios while he was in his prison cell in Fort Santiago from November 3rd, 1896 until December 29th, 1896. Many national holidays are celebrated in front of the monument of Dr. Jose Rizal. Foreign Leaders also lay wreath before the monument of Dr. Jose Rizal during state visits.

Rizal Park is partitioned into three parts starting with the sixteen hectare Agrifina circle that adjoins Taft Avenue, where the DOT (Department of Tourism) and the National Museum of the Filipino People (the former Department of Finance) are located. Section two consists of the twenty-two hectare Rizal Park proper that extends to Roxas Boulevard until the ten hectare field in front of the Quirino Grandstand along the area of Manila Bay. Then there is the third section which is the thirty-one meter Philippine Flagpole named Kilometer Zero because it is where the distance of a city or province is measured away from Metro Manila. Beside the Flagpole is where the monument of Dr. Jose Rizal is located. The first President of the Philippine Republic, Manuel Roxas, was sworn in before the monument on July 4th, 1946.

From the Park, visitors can also see the Quirino Grandstand, the beautiful Manila Bay, the Army Navy Club, the Manila Hotel, the Gallery of National Heroes and the plaza of St. Lorenzo Ruiz-the first Filipino saint.

On the northern part of the Rizal Park is the Lights and Sounds of Rizal-which is an audio-visual and 3 dimensional diorama of Dr. Jose Rizals execution, consisting of sculptures made by Eduardo Castrillo. It is considered a living memorial for Dr. Jose Rizal. The presentation is open to the public, offering a thirty minute dramatization of the final moments of Dr. Jose Rizal.

The schedule of the presentation is on Wednesday through Sunday evenings from 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for the Filipino version and 8:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. for the English version. The entrance fee for the show is fifty pesos. There will be fifty percent discount on students with Valid ID and escorts like parents and guardians. All of the teachers with the group are free of charge.

There is also a guided day tour, which is from Wednesday to Sunday (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) The fee for the guided tour is ten pesos and there is a fifty percent discount for students with valid ID and their escorts. The Ballet at the Park presentation of the National Parks Development Committee and Ballet Manila airs every Saturday at Rizal Park Open Air Auditorium from 5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

Near the Light and Sound area is the Gomburza marker, in honor of the three Filipino priests who were executed by the Spanish government for allegedly inciting rebellion and the Rizal fountain. The Artists Haven is just a short distance away from the fountain. Visitors can also reach the National Historical Institute from Rizal Park. A tour of the Rizal Park on horse drawn carriage is also available to visitors. Visitors will surely have a good time while visiting Rizal Park.