open spaces

LOOK: Lapu-Lapu City unveils Plaza Rizal’s new look

John Sitchon

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LOOK: Lapu-Lapu City unveils Plaza Rizal’s new look
The newly-reopened Plaza Rizal includes a recreational hub, musical fountain, chess tables, and a PWD-friendly playground

Plaza Rizal is now accessible for all Cebuano families who want to relax and enjoy fun afternoons.

Plaza Rizal, which stands beside the Nuestra Señora Virgen Dela Regla Church, was turned into a modern recreational hub, which now includes a musical fountain featuring classical and modern music.

For many years it lay in poor state and neglect, pero tungod sa atong paningkamot, nindut ug sadya na ni karon,” said Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan during the grand opening. 

(For many years it lay in poor state and neglect, however, through our hard work, it is now very beautiful and fun.)

Formerly known as Opon Plaza, Plaza Rizal had gone through major changes over the course of 10 decades. In 1908, the plaza was acquired by the Catholic Church and was beautified 20 years after by the late Opon town president Rito de la Serna in 1928. 

Today, Plaza Rizal features multiple attractions, from functional workout areas to chess tables made especially for senior citizens. The plaza also offers playgrounds for children, and even modified areas for persons with disabilities (PWDs).

In a post from the city’s public information office, the city’s Tourism, Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission (TCHAC) chairperson Cindi King-Chan said that this new plaza is the epitome of a world-class facility, an educational and cultural portal for everyone.

She added that she met with Msgr. Agustin Ancajas, a London-trained theater director and prolific playwright, to discuss plans for holding cultural events and theatrical plays.

“Little by little we will be transforming our city, as we already started cultural mapping, for every barangay has its unique attraction, which we’ll all incorporate for our tourism revival not only here in the mainland but also Olango and neighboring islets,” she said.

King-Chan mentioned that before the start of the pandemic, the city government had already received funds from the national government for the beautification of the plaza, which is also considered a historical site.

See more photos of the park here:

PLAZA. Families can enjoy a good game of chess or take their seat beneath these romantic lamp posts in the evening.
John Sitchon/Rappler
MODERNIZED. The entire plaza is modernized and features PWD-friendly areas.
John Sitchon/Rappler
LAPU-LAPU. The plaza also features a statue of the city’s namesake, Datu Lapulapu.
John Sitchon/Rappler
RIZAL. The plaza also has a statue dedicated to the late Jose Rizal.
John Sitchon/Rappler
FROM ABOVE. Here is an aerial view of the plaza
Lapu-Lapu City PIO

– Rappler.com

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