Thousands spend Christmas at Luneta; Eleazar says NCR celebration was peaceful

Rizal Park or Luneta in Manila was filled with thousands of Filipinos on Monday night as many families chose to spend Christmas eve at the park.

The rains did not stop people from arriving, many of them even coming from the provinces, according to a report on GMA News' Unang Balita on Tuesday.

According to the Philippine National Police, 5,000 people stayed at the park from Christmas Eve to dawn of Tuesday, Christmas Day.

With the skies clearing after days of rain, some Filipinos decide to spend Christmas Day with loved ones at Rizal Park (Luneta) in Manila on Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2018. Danny Pata

National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Guillermo Eleazar led the security inspection at the park before dawn on Tuesday, according to a separate report by Cecille Villarosa on Unang Balita on Tuesday.

"So far ay wala tayong mga untoward incident that could be related sa pagpunta sa simbahan. At inaasahan sana natin na hanggang bukas na maghapon ay wala ring magiging problema. At ang next preparation naman natin ay pagsalubong sa Bagong Taon," Eleazar said.

He added that Christmas celebration in the National Capital Region was generally peaceful.

Rizal Park attractions

Among the attractions the park visitors enjoyed were the dancing fountain which "swayed" to the beat of Christmas carols and the Christmas lights display.

Michella Ormillada's family was among those who spent Christmas at Luneta. Her sister even came from Bicol.

Ariel Tombo, meanwhile, said his family wanted to spend Christmas in a different way this year instead of staying at home, and so they went to Luneta.

Donna Baguio who came with her family from a province was amazed at the many attractions at the park.

"Masaya dahil maraming tao. Marami kang makikita na iba't ibang klase ng tao at maganda 'yung view niya kaya ngayon lang namin na-experience ganito kagandang Pasko sa Maynila," she said.

However, many of the park's visitors left trash lying around, according to a report on Dobol B sa News TV by Mark Makalalad.

Tambak ng basura, iniwan ng mga nagpalipas ng magdamag at nag-Noche Buena sa Luneta Park sa Maynila. | via @MMakalalad pic.twitter.com/A9Cgx0kkz9

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) December 24, 2018

Manila security

Eleazar also inspected the Ongpin outpost, the Police Community Precinct on Abad Santos and Tayuman, and the Raxabago Police Station in Manila.

Security will remain tight until the New Year, according to the PNP. —KG, GMA News