Luneta named one of the best parks in Asia by travel agency

A staple for family and school trips, Luneta Park in Manila was recently named as one of the best parks in Asia, giving more reason to go on a weekend jaunt to the country's foremost national park.

Luneta or Rizal Park, was among the best parks in Asia listed by Agoda Company PTE Ltd in a survey with their customers, GMA News' "State of the Nation" Friday.



Rizal Park received an average customer rating of 3.88 out of 5 and ranked among parks such as Japan's Osaka Castle Park and South Korea's Hallasan National Park.

Elizabeth Espino, Exec. Dir. of the National Parks Development Committee, said the inclusion may have resulted from their efforts to make the park accessible to everyone regardless of their age or level of mobility.

Other than being mostly free, guests can learn the history behind the park's name through statues commemorating the life and death of the country's national hero Jose Rizal. Luneta Park is the site of his execution.

If the sun gets too hot, families, friends, and other folks may cool off at the park's dancing fountains, which doubles as a mini lightshow in the evening.

Nature aficionados and culture geeks could also visit the park's Japanese or Chinese Garden for the low price of P10 per person.

For the same price, children can tumble around a play park made for entertaining small tots.

Traditional kalesas could be hired to go around the park, which will soon be fenceless in order to entice more visitors.

"Mas maganda ang vista ng monument, landscaping, more open siya, and we are improving the lights also so that nights are enhanced," said Espino. — Rie Takumi/VC, GMA News