The Rizal Park 2010 Realization

‘When was the last time you went to Luneta Park?’ i asked myself moments before Bryan Karl, Jerome and I headed to the National Park of the Philippines after our Ocean Park trip. I can’t really remember the exact date, but i think it is sometime in 1995 or 1996. I insisted of going there because i saw it at our Sibika at Kultura textbook. As a fan of Jose Rizal’s greatness, the Little Mica got what she requested.

Flag Pole

Saan na tayo tutungo n'yan?

During our short trip to Luneta Park at the first weekend of October 2010, my mind was a bit messed up. I wasn’t even sure if we were already in Luneta not until I saw Dr. Jose Rizal’s statue, where the guards are standing there with pokerface. Too bad we weren’t allowed to take a closer picture with them. We’ll cause too much distraction, i bet.

Fountain facing Quirino Granstand

People at the National Park

What was I thinking while we were walking and taking pictures? I realized that some Filipinos, especially those who are living nearby with their families still spend quality time together at the park. You will see some families renting out mats so they can sit at the picnic area. You will see loads of them. Some children and teenagers were playing ball games, badminton and flying kites. The simple park foods such as popcorn, green mango with bagoong and cotton candies are around the place. I am impressed that in a way, the cleanliness of our National Park was maintained.

The subject that caught my attention were the old photographers, who are stuck in the film-develop process. I admit i was insensitive when i asked one of them ‘May nagpapakuha pa ba sa inyo?‘. He gave me a hard look and walked away. I know what i did was wrong and i am sorry.

After shooting a short video, the three of us walked and saw a developing center for the old photographers. You see, years ago, they were in-demand especially on graduation and wedding ceremonies. The rise of digital cameras deprived them from getting projects and since ‘change’ is one thing that most Filipinos don’t want to embrace, they ended up sticking to their old ways thus less income and gigs.

Ok, this post has nothing to do with our beloved National Hero. A number of bloggers wrote a tribute post for him today, his 114th death anniversary. He was shot in Bagumbayan (now Luneta) and his martyrdom made a lot of Filipinos cry during his time.

Rizal Park

Rizal Park 2010

Luneta Park is not only a place where we can reminisce that a certain Dr. Jose P. Rizal a.k.a. Pepe existed years ago. It is also a living witness on how we’ve changed in the past years.

** Originally written last December 30, 2010**
Photo Credit: Jerome Locson (failed to upload some of my shots lol)

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12 thoughts on “The Rizal Park 2010 Realization

  1. The Photoblogger

    This is an interesting reflection on change and our attitude towards it.

    In fairness to your side, we are all curious if there are still those who request their pictures to be taken by these people.

    Reply
  2. halojin

    oo nga po laki na ng pinagbago ng Luneta park. tanda ko pa unang beses pa lang ako naka punta dyan at batang bata pa po ako nun… regarding dun sa mamangphotographer? baka po nag kataon lang na masama ang mood niya?pero totoo naman po siguro na bihira na ang nag papakuha ng picture sa kanila… tulad sa mga graduation? kasi karamihan sa mga tao meron ng cellphone, digi cam na panguha.. Nga pala Happy New year po…

    Reply
  3. Ada

    Woot! Been here just last week with my college buddies hehe! Ang ganda na pala dun.

    And about those old photographers, actually naawa ako sa kanila, they are standing there whole day pero parang walang nagpapapicture. Many oldies are not aware that digital camera is a hype na. One manong there walked near us holding his portfolios trying to attract us, but when I got my SLR out of my bag, lumayo siya at nagbuntong hininga na lang πŸ™ Wala lang naawa lang ako. Para kasing ang hirap ng ganung work. Sana sabihan na lang sila ng office from Manila na wag na lang magganun kasi nakakangawit sa paa yung ginagawa nila.

    Anyways napahaba yata comment ko ng hindi ko namamalayan….

    Reply
  4. Hannah

    @Ada awts… kawawa naman. may ganun pa pala. I have never used de film na camera in years. naku… eh bagong decade na. paano pa kaya kikita ang mga developing center na ganyan.

    anyhoo Mica dear, Happy New YEar!

    Reply
  5. chyng

    i first went to Luneta 3 yrs after I graduated from a university in Manila! kakahiya! hehe
    what I loved most about the place, I love to do people watching. parang lahat ng emotiong mahuhuli mo dun. I would do another photowalk there, subject: people! =)

    Reply
  6. Micamyx Post author

    @The Photoblogger – Yes, i was curious and i wanted to ask it in a more proper way, but i can’t find the right words… or maybe i uttered the right words which will still make them sad no matter how i say it.

    @Halojin – Tama ka πŸ™‚ Sa totoo lang, gusto ko gawan ng istorya ito πŸ™‚

    @Ada – I think they know it na, it’s just that it’s their choice to stick to the old ways. Hindi rin biro bumili ng mamahaling kamera.

    @Hannah – Dami na nagsara sa amin na developing centers hehe kodak na lang ‘ata ang buhay. Nice subject though to write about πŸ™‚
    @Chyng – Yun din nasa isip ko nun hehe πŸ˜€ Different moods, different walks of life. Saya mabuhay πŸ˜€

    [WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us ‘0 which is not a hashcash value.

    Reply
  7. Jakey Junkie The Bunny

    The last time I went to Luneta “definitively” was when I was in High School. Guess what, for cheerleading practices.

    I still believe that our generation and the next should always take a piece of Dr. Rizal’s life. Not because he is required to be studied at the school curriculum, but because he defined and carved everything that the Filipinos are made of,

    Reply
  8. thepinaysolobackpacker

    I’ve always wanted to go to Luneta pero lagi ako nakakalagpas, sa Quiapo ako napupunta. haha It’s a shame pero I’ve never been to Luneta, dinadaanan ko lng xa parate.
    Na-touch ako sa post na ito. Ewan ko ba kung baket. I’m feeling low nowadays, kaasar, simula pa naman ng taon. πŸ™

    I miss you Mica.

    Love love,
    ate Gael

    Reply
  9. Ed

    @gael: wag na mag emo kasi bak magiging emo din ako dito. hehe.

    @mica: yeah, mica. i think it was just an innocent question and it didn’t mean to offend anyone. nice post mica. it’s always nice to drop by Luneta Park. been there two years ago and it’s so much better kasi simple lang ang set-up. πŸ˜€

    Reply
  10. Micamyx Post author

    @Jakey – I agree πŸ™‚ Too bad most students take advantage of the Rizal subject.

    @Gael – Wah maybe it’s because of the personal realization. I miss you too. Wag ka na sad party party πŸ˜€

    @Ed – I’m glad they didnt overdecorate our national park hehe. See you soon πŸ˜€

    Reply
  11. Diwangtanglaw

    Kelan na nga ba yun? Hindi ko na maalala kung kelan ako huling naputa sa Luneta.
    Pero kapag naiisip ko ito, una-unang bumabahid sa isip ko ang masa, ang sambayanan at ang pamilyang Pilipino.

    Magandang araw Micamyx.

    [WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us ‘0 which is not a hashcash value.

    Reply
  12. rairaiken

    It’s been year since the last time I visited the place and yes a lot of improvements where made here and now its beautifully preserved. I want to visit the place again to see the improved fountain. I never thought that there was a huge fountain there…

    I also share same experience with Ada, which a photographer also approached us for picture taking but I already had mine… c”,)

    Reply

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