The romantic appeal of Roxas Boulevard
Spanning less than 8 kilometers of roadway, Roxas Boulevard is certainly not the Philippines’ longest road. One can argue though, that it is the country’s most iconic, with its rich history and exceptional landmarks.
What magic does this waterfront boulevard have that has allowed it to stand the test of time? From its inception to its rehabilitation, let us explore what makes Roxas Boulevard an everlasting gem of Philippine real estate.
From parkway to runway
Developed by the American Architect Daniel Burnham in the early 1900s, Roxas Boulevard was originally called Cavite Boulevard. It was meant to serve as a parkway connecting the Cavite Navy Yard to Luneta Park.
Built adjacent to Manila Bay, the original road was conceived to feature rich vegetation such as coconut palms, mango trees, and bamboo plants. Meant to serve the masses, the promenade was built on reclaimed land and aimed to connect various infrastructure such as tramways, roads, and pedestrian sidewalks.
During World War II, the boulevard served as a temporary runway for airplanes. Even the Japanese saw its importance, as they cut down existing palm trees to make it a more efficient landing site. The roadway was officially called Roxas Boulevard in the 1960s after former Philippine President Manuel Roxas.
Today, it continues to connect Cavite, Manila, Caloocan, and Pasay, serving as an essential node for both Filipino commuters and important state visitors traversing the country’s capital.
Modern destination
From fun runs to mass demonstrations, Roxas Boulevard continues to be a popular part of everyday life in the city of Manila. It hosts a number of heritage sites and important landmarks.
Rizal Park, more casually known as Luneta, stands on one end, on Manila soil. It served as the execution site of the county’s national hero Jose Rizal and, later on, the site of the Philippine Independence declaration from the United States in 1946. The US Embassy is also located along this road, together with other historic buildings such as the Ramon Magsaysay Center, Museo Pambata, and Admiral Hotel.
Along the stretch that runs across Pasay City, one would find the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Complex, Department of Foreign Affairs Office, Philippine Trade Training Center, and the Cuneta Astrodome. This area is frequently visited by passport applicants, convention attendees, and curious tourists set on discovering some of the country’s modern architectural icons.
Lastly, along the Parañaque route, Roxas Boulevard hosts the Baclaran Church, City of Dreams Manila, and Palacio de Memoria, among other destinations. The Palacio de Memoria, in particular, showcases the best of Spanish Revival architecture in the Philippines, and features the works of historic architects such as Juan Arellano and Juan Nakpil.
A strip of PH history
With all its exceptional occupants, simply jogging along Roxas Boulevard already provides one an extensive glimpse into Philippine history.
Besides its built structures though, the appeal of Roxas Boulevard may also be attributed to its romantic setting adjacent to Manila Bay. It’s pretty common to see sweet lovers, happy families, and ecstatic friends meeting up along the boulevard to enjoy its spectacular sunset views.
In a way, it serves as a gateway to the Philippines itself, providing connections to the Port of Manila and Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
A lovely piece of PH history
With its rich history, exceptional features, and beautiful surroundings, Roxas Boulevard remains one of the country’s most valuable assets, providing easy access to various cities and cultural landmarks despite its short road length.
Investing in a property adjacent to this historical infrastructure will surely pay off in the long run, as it provides you a link not only to three different cities but also to major international ports. Whether you’re out to see the Baywalk, Luneta Park, or CCP Complex, you can’t miss this lovely piece of Philippine history. It’s more than just a piece of road.
Sources:
The Far Eastern Review, Engineering, Finance, Commerce, Volumes 3-4. 1906.; https://www.esquiremag.ph; https://guidetothephilippines.ph;
Lawrence Ruiz, Ranieljosecastaneda, Patrick Roque, and Mike Gonzalez (TheCoffee) via Wikimedia Commons
