I. Introduction

It’s a fact that no one can’t deny that tourism is one of our

income generating resources in our country today, more specifically

in the City of Legazpi.

Legazpi City is a first class city and capital of the province of

Albay, Philippines. With 179,481 inhabitants according to the 2007

census, it is the largest city in the Bicol Region in terms of

population, though not in land area. It is also the regional center of

the Bicol Region.

Located in the geographical center of the peninsula and between

the two island provinces of Catanduanes and Masbate, Legazpi

City is the southernmost terminus of the Philippine National

Railways Main Line South, though it will be extended up to Matnog

in Sorsogon. It also services sea-going vessels through its port.

It’s a fact and nobody can’t deny that progress can never be

achieved without the corresponding developments in different

areas.

A specific example of this is the Plaza Rizal in Legazpi City.

Several developments were made, St. Rafael Church was

renovated. The Ibalon Central School as well was developed. Many

commercial establishments were constructed. We have the

Aquinas College of Law, the Bichara Silver Screen, Multibrand

Distributor Building, Legazpi Icecream Center, Luzon Bakery,

Graceland, Legazpi Port Elementary School, Express Mart, and

many business establishments. The streets and other facilities were

developed.

fig. 1 fig. 2

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Plaza Rizal is now a famous tourist site frequently by

foreignness. It has turned into a site for tourism, an income

generating project for the City of Legazpi.

fig. 3

fig. 4

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II. Objectives:

1. To conduct a research on the historical background of Rizal

Park in Legazpi City.

2. To gather information through interviews and written

historical records.

3. To point out the architectural values on the historical

development of Rizal Park.

4. To support in the revival and development of our cultural

heritage.

III. Materials and Methods:

A. Interviews

B. Historical Transect

C. Transect Walk

D. Photo Documentation

IV. Results and Discussions:

A. Interview

Based on the interview we had conducted with Mrs. Salvacion

Toledo Lasala of barangay 37, purok 5, Bitano, Legazpi City, we

had learned that Plaza Rizal is just a part of the historical

development in this city.

According to her, the very first historical development that took

place was the construction of St. Rafael Church.

fig. 5 fig. 6

3

Time passed by. Another development took place. That was the

construction of Legazpi Central School/ Ibalon Central School just a

few meters away from the frontage of St. Rafael’s Church.

Presently this school is now called Ibalon Central School.

The vacant space between St. Rafael Church and Ibalon

Central School became a center for relaxation for the people of

Legazpi. Through the efforts of some religious and civic spirited

people of this city, the first half-body monument of Dr. Jose Rizal

was erected on this site in 1924. Two years after this monument

site was converted to a central park of Legazpi City. Arch’t.

Everardo N. Napay executed the architectural design with its

towering fountain as the center place.

With the passing of time, farther developments of this center

were made. The full monument of Dr. Rizal was erected.

Ornamental trees were planted and other modern facilities were

developed. The park covering 750sq.mtrs was renovated with the

ambiance and character of an urban luxury.

Plaza Rizal or Rizal Park which is now widely known has turned

to be of great value in terms of tourism not only for the city of

Legazpi but also for the Bicol Region and the entire Philippines.

The historical development of Plaza Rizal is not only a source

for revenue for the local and national government. It is as well a

fountain of incentives and encouragement for the students in the

field of architecture.

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B. Historical Transect

- St. Rafael Church, Legazpi City

Plaza Rizal and St. Rafael Church at Night | Photo by Yves Eli YU

From 1587 to 1616 the spiritual administration of this

town was under Cagsawa. The church together with several

houses was burned in 1754. The eruption of Mayon Volcano

on February 1, 1814, destroyed the new church and half of

the town. In 1856 the old name Pueblo Viejo was

officially changed to Legazpi. The present church was built in

1834, mainly through the generosity of Pedro Romero.

fig. 7

fig. 8

fig. 9

5

Plaza

Rizal and St.

Raphael Church | Photo by Dex Baldon

-Plaza Rizal

Plaza Rizal Fountain | Photo by Yves Eli Yu

In 1924, under the administration of Municipal President

Crispin de la Torre, the Citizen Committee on Rizal monument

headed by Juaquin San Agustin erected the first Rizal monument,

executed by the sculpture Tomas Zamora. Forty two years later, in

1966 under the administration of City Mayor Luis S. Los Baños, the

citizen committee on parks and playgrounds headed by Pura Jeda

Los Baños converted the monument site to a central park of

Legazpi Port District. Arch. Everardo N. Napay executed the

architectural design with its towering fountain as the center piece.

fig. 10 fig. 11

fig. 12 6

In 1997, under the dynamic leadership of City Mayor Imelda

C. Roces, first lady mayor of Legazpi City and with the able support

of the Sangguniang Panglunsod, vigorous renovation and

upgrading works. Designed along simple times by the City

Engineer’s office, the park spreading over 750 sq. m. was

renovated with the ambiance and character of an urban luxury.

1924 1966 1980’s 1997 2004

Rizal Monument Committe

e

Municipal InstitutionCapinpin

De La Tore

-Erection of the very first Rizal

Monument.

-Center piece of the Park

Sculpture executed

byThomas Zamora.

Rizal Park committeePura Jeda Los Baños

City Mayor Luis S. Los

Baños

-Relocated/reposition of

the monument.

-introduce the fountain as the center piece of the

park.

Arch. Everardo N.

Napay

City Governme

nt of Legazpi

City

Goyeto Imperial

-Backfill/Garden

soil, olive palms and Blue grass.

City Government of Legazpi

City

City Mayor Imelda C.

Roces

Water cascadesRefinish

courtyard and side walks.

-Introduce the wall

fronting the church

Plaza Rizal

Arch. Reynaldo S.

Acosta

City Governme

nt of Legazpi

City

City Mayor Noel E. Rosal

-Introduce the

fountain by Industron

-Replace park lights

-Introduce articulated Architectur

al park lights

(Geolights)

-by Ramson

Inductries

Table 1 7

The Plaza Rizal is a sparkling little park and a perfect refuge for

some RnR situated at the city center in the Port District of Legazpi.

It is located directly in front of the historical St. Raphael Church.

The park is dedicated to the Filipino national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal

and boasts of an impressive monument to Rizal.

What the park lacks in size, it more than makes up for in verve. The

plaza’s centerpiece is a sparkling fountain that enlivens the scene.

Multicolor bucky-ball lamps further accentuate the park.

Surrounding benches provide visitors and promenaders with a

place to relax and unwind.

The plaza is surrounded by small food stalls serving local street

foods. Every visitor should try the famous local fried chicken, the

world-famous balut, chicharon, peanuts, and other knick-knacks, all

available in and around the plaza. There are also national fast food

chains around the area.

The Plaza Rizal is a great place to experience the life and passion

of Legazpi people. The best time to visit would be at dusk or near

sunset. For catholic devotees, you can attend a mass at the St.

Raphael Church, light a candle, or simply say a prayer inside the

church and visit the park afterwards for your own spiritual

reflections.

Photo Documentation

-View of Plaza

Rizal, St. Rafael

Church and

Aquinas

College of

Law.

-View of

Plaza Rizal

and Al Bichara Silver Screen and

Entertainment

Center

-Rizal Monument at Plaza Rizal

fig. 13

fig. 14

fig. 15

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Renovated Plans:

Plaza Rizal and Store Plus

Plaza Rizal and Multi-Brand

Distributer

-Plaza Rizal and St. Rafael

Church

fig. 17

fig. 18

fig. 16

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1997-2004, Water cascades Refinish courtyard and side walks.

-Introduce the wall fronting the church, Plaza Riza

Arch. Reynaldo S. Acosta

2004 onwards,

-Introduce the fountain

by Industron

-Replace park lights

Introduce articulated Architectural park

lights (Geolights) -by Ramson Inductries.

Arch. Reynaldo S. Acosta

V. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

A. Based on the research conducted, the following conclusions were derived:

1. The architectural values played a great role in forming the historical development of Plaza Rizal that support the revival and development of cultural heritage.

fig. 20

fig. 21

fig. 19

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2. Progress can never be achieved without the corresponding developments in different areas that surround the Plaza Rizal.

3. Plaza Rizal or Rizal Park which is now widely known has turned to be of great value in terms of tourism not only for the city of Legazpi but also for the Bicol Region and the entire Philippines.

4. Architectural progress in Plaza Rizal leads to income generating projects for the Legazpeños.

5. The historical development of Plaza Rizal is not only a source for revenue for the local and national government. It is as well a fountain of incentives and encouragement for the students in the field of architecture.

B. Based on the conclusion derived, the following recommendations were arrived:

1. Continues architectural study should be done for the modernization of the cultural heritage.

2. Developments must not only concentrate to the main projects, but same should be done to the establishments that surround it.

3. In developing places such as Plaza Rizal, a unique architectural design that will be remarkable not only in the Philippines and in the entire world must be take in consideration.

4. Poverty will not be a hindrance in architectural progress instead it will be an inspiration for continues progress.

5. Students must be enthusiast in developing or discovering new architectural designs which will later on be part of the historical development.

VI. BIBLIOGRAPHY

City Engineering’s Office, Legazpi City

Arch. Reynaldo S. Acosta, Architectural Plan: sheet no. A1-A3

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Albay Provincial Library, Legazpi City

Economic Profile 1973, prepared by Development Planning

Division City Mayor of Legazpi City (Legazpi City Development

Council ), pg.1-8.

http//:Google earth.com

http//:Google map.com (map data @2010 Europa

Technologies)

http//:wowbicol.com.ph/Wikipedia.com

Plaza Rizal and St. Raphael Church | Photo by Dex Baldon

Plaza Rizal Fountain | Photo by Yves Eli Yu

VII. AUTHORY

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Name: Benedict N. Mayor

Sex: male

Birthday: August 13, 1989

Age: 20

Civil Status: Single

Nationality: Filipino

Religion: Evangelical Christian

Father’s Name: Benjamin A. Mayor

Occupation: Retired Professor

Mother’s Name: Erlinda N. Mayor

Occupation: Brgy. Health Worker

Address: Tagas, Daraga, Albay

E-mail Add.: benzmayor_arch@yahoo.com

Educational Attainment: Elementary: Tagas Elemntary

School

Secondary: Daraga National

High School

College: Bicol University,

College of

Engineering

Skills: 2D and 3D Computer aided

drafting

Mix media manual and computer

Rendering

Playing musical instrument

fig. 22

13

Name: Frank Lloyd Q. Mirandilla

Sex: male

Birthday: December 24, 1988

Age: 21

Civil Status: Single

Nationality: Filipino

Religion: Roman Catholic

Father’s Name: Eden A. Mirandilla

Occupation: Government Employee

Mother’s Name: Jocelyn A. Quiñones

Occupation: House keeper

Address: Brgy. Dinoronan # 19 Purok 2

E-mail Add.: Adventhacist_brat@yahoo.com

Educational Attainment: Elementary: Em’s Bo. Elementary

School

Secondary: Daraga National High

School

College: Bicol University

College of

Engineering

Skills: 2D and 3D Computer aided drafting

Mix media manual and computer

rendering

Computer Animation

Home Page Development

Page layout Artist

Software installation

fig. 23

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