In need of innovative ideas to restore Intramuros
As the days pass and the years continue to shape us, I reflect on a dream I’ve held since 1986: a Manila that embraces its heritage and green spaces. Yet, this vision remains a work in progress, a hope for the future.
Rizal Park, Luneta, and the dream of the upcoming Intramuros Park could together form a magnificent landscape of green beauty—a testament to Manila’s rich history and its potential for renewal. Imagine the Pasig River as a central feature, its waters running clear and inspiring the young and old alike, who walk its banks hand-in-hand. Just like London, New York, or Madrid.
Intramuros must become a window into this beauty—a gateway to a better Manila. With Rizal Park and Luneta adding vitality to the city, we can create a space that brings light and hope to the surroundings of City Hall, an area that now carries the weight of its past.
It’s time to breathe new life into the heart of our city, and Intramuros could be the spark that ignites this transformation.
We need fresh, innovative ideas to restore Intramuros—a place where time has caused decay, yet it stands with dignity. In a world often filled with struggle, the beauty of our city’s history could be the balm that helps people heal and dream again.
Let Intramuros become the symbol of a renewed Pearl of the Orient, a city that draws from its past to create a vibrant future.
This vision will only become reality when the parks and open spaces of Intramuros become destinations for everyone, not just a privileged few. These spaces will tell our story—a story of resilience and beauty that has endured through time.
Yes, a park that unites us with the history of Manila. Parks are living, breathing entities that hold within them countless stories still waiting to be discovered. The walls of Intramuros keep these stories alive, waiting for us to listen.
Let’s work together to make this vision a reality—a park that fills us with pride, a park that bridges the past with the future, and a park that brings joy to generations to come.
Juan José B. Testa,
Makati City
