Paco Park Cemetery
May 16, 2007 · Filed Under All Entries, Feature
As a kid doing channel surfing in search for afternoon cartoon shows, I always happen to see this show called “Paco Park Presents”. At first, I thought Paco Park was just one of the parks in Manila like that of Luneta. That is why I was surprised to learn that Paco Park was actually a cemetery before it was converted into a national park in 1966 during the term of President Diosdado Macapagal.
It also surprised me that there are couples who actually choose Paco Park, a used-to-be cemetery, as their wedding venue. However, my quick visit to the place answered all my questions and confusion.
The cemetery is circular in shape, with an inner circular fort that was the original cemetery and with the niches that were placed or located within the hollow walls. As the population continued to grow, a second outer wall was built with the thick adobe walls were hollowed as niches and the top of the walls were made into pathways for promenades.
Read more in Wikipedia
With an abundance of trees and flowering plants and the high adobe walls as its perimeter, being inside the park brings a feeling of peace and seclusion from the busy life beyond its walls. Also, with a land area of only 4,114.80 square meters, I think it is a nice wedding venue for couples who afters intimacy with their guests. Below are some pictures I took, just click to enlarge.
Paco Park is located along General Luna St. and at the east end of Padre Faura Street in Paco district in the City of Manila. The park is open Wednesday to Sunday from 8:00AM to 5:00PM. Entrance fee is PhP5.00 (five pesos) per person.
For more pictures, visit PIXELOG.
dom lawrence on Wed, 16th May 2007 5:56 AM
hey ymir,
so i am right- it used to be a cemetery- kaya pala noon ay ilang attempts ko na pumasok dyan ay hindi natutuloy ( i am scared of the tombs and all eerie ambience in a cemetery ). but now, i want to venture that place once i get my next home visit- samahan mo na lang kaya ako pagpunta ko diyan tutal hindi ka ata takot sa momo at multo eh hahahahahah….
anyways, great pictures- kahit nakakatakot isiping ang dami dami ng taon inilibing dyan….
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dom lawrence on Wed, 16th May 2007 6:06 AM
hey ymir,
so i was right! it used to be a cemetery. kaya pala noon ay ilang beses na akong nag attempt to get inside that landmark pag napapadako ako sa Paco pero hindi talaga ako magkaroon ng tatag ng loob to get inside- (i am scared of tombs and crosses na nakatusok sa pantiong or lupa ng may umbok-pero ha? hindi ako bampira hahahahahah). but now, i am so curious to really venture the place- samahan mo na lang kaya ako diyan pag nauwi ako sa pinas sa susunod kong home visit? deal?…dont worry= i am gonna treat you sa dad’s or saisaki- my favorite dining places…
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Ymir on Wed, 16th May 2007 9:18 AM
there were only two tombs in the ground (i think). those of the three martyred priests and that which formerly belong to jose rizal. but they dont look like niches.. more like a monument.
but dont worry, im much willing to go with you to dad’s err… paco park i mean.
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Sidney on Wed, 16th May 2007 9:36 PM
It is one of those hidden treasures of Manila! I love that place! It is so peaceful there and you are in the middle of the city!
They also give concerts on some Fridays.
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Ymir on Wed, 16th May 2007 9:52 PM
I never thought that I will.. but I also love the place.
It’s like an oasis in a dry desert.
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dom on Thu, 17th May 2007 7:57 AM
hey you mean andyan din sa paco park ang dad mo?….sige samahan mo talaga ako pag nauwi ako dyan sa next year….but bahala ka sa akin pag hinimatay ako sa takot bwhahahahahaha-
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tutubi on Thu, 17th May 2007 10:48 AM
i took ferz (ironwulf) there last year and he was amazed at the place (including the old buildings in binondo)
can we exchane links? love your photos kasi and we share the same interests
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Ymir on Thu, 17th May 2007 10:59 AM
DOM
wala dyan yung dad ko though yung friend ko na humihingi ng rosary malapit lang dyan nakatira.
i was just joking about you taking me to dad’s
22B
thanks for the visit.
no problem with the exchange.
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bluepanjeet on Fri, 18th May 2007 4:07 PM
my students were checked in at a hotel beside the paco park for their affiliation there in Manila, and they told me a lot of ghost stories happening in their hotel. there was this student who has a third eye, overlooking at the park in their hotel balcony, saw an unholy apparition inside those walls of the park. hehehe. chilling.
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Ymir on Sun, 20th May 2007 10:05 AM
that is a creepy story… thank God I don’t have an opened third eye.
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jhoanne on Sat, 6th Sep 2008 5:29 PM
hi.. the paco park is a nice place to unwind.. super. first time ko lang magpunta dun, pero npamangha n talaga ako.. i can’t imagine na dating cementery become a national park.. double wow..!!! nakakarelax tlaga.. kgagaling ko lang din dun ngayon at super akong na amaze… hehehe..
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iRonnie on Sat, 13th Sep 2008 12:43 PM
Hi Jhoanne,
i understand what you feel kasi nagulat din ako. though iba na ang feeling on my 2nd visit…
thanks for dropping by and feel free to visit back. have a great weekend!
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Ramon Bondoc on Wed, 30th Jun 2010 3:12 PM
As a teenager in the early 70s my aunts and uncles, who lives a stone’s throw away, was always talking about Paco Park. Naturally, when I met the lady of my life I brought her to this park regularly. The peace and quiet of the park was the reason why my girl and I were drawn to it. Very few couples went there during our time and we loved it a lot. The park was not crowded at all. So when it was time for my lady and I to say our “I Dos”, Paco Park was our place of choice. In fact we already made the choice while we were spending time with each other there. That was Nov. 18, 1978. We went back to the Philippines in Dec. 2006 and of course she and I went there for another date to reminisce, we had so much fun. Very little has changed. We promised to keep visiting the place every opportunity we get. Paco Park and “us” has so much memories.
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ryan on Thu, 19th Aug 2010 5:14 AM
..I just wanna ask if it would be ok to conduct a film documentary inside the park…regarding it’s historical value….
…hindi kc common ang paco park…pagdating s mga film documentaries…that’s why i am very interested with the place…
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