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A section of the Pasig River Esplanade, just beside the Manila Central Post Office Building. Facing west. | |
(Updated 10 February 2024)
#MagnificentManila
As a person born and raised in Manila, I am truly proud of what the city has rapidly become in the recent years. That hashtag, I can now agree with because of the many changes that sprang out of my hometown almost overnight!
One of the major changes in the Most Noble and Ever Loyal City is the newly opened Pasig River Esplanade.
Who would have thought that peeple will gather and find enjoyment along the river that was (and sometimes, still is) highly notable for all the wrong reasons: trash, water lilies, trash, foul smell, and trash.
If national hero Jose Rizal were to be brought to modern Manila and see Pasig River in that state, he would surely curse us in upper-class Spanish and even beg to be transported back to his period. He might leave a stern warning to disturb him no more from his eternal rest.
But the developments on this particular waterway can make Rizal retract his words and may convince him to stay a little longer to witness more improvements coming his and our way.
An esplanade anywhere in Metro Manila is unheard of months ago, just look at the image I took in September of 2023. There was no sign that a linear riverside park will be built beside the historic Manila Central Post Office building that was gutted by fire in May that same year.
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My girlfriend and I with the Manila Post Office Building at the background, September 2023. |
In December when I had my casual nighttime bike rides at the riverbank opposite the building, I noticed several lamp posts that were clumped in one place, it should be a no-brainer, something is up in that area. The next month, however, caught me, a Manileño, by surprise: the Pasig River Esplanade is born!
After the positive hype collectively made by both the mainstream media and social media influencers, the place is now teeming with peeple, especially during sunset and nighttime. Most of them were patiently waiting for the horizon at dusk to complete its course, and cellphone cameras were seen more once the night sky falls. You can easily search photos and images of the new attraction on Facebook and just marvel at the wonderful angles produced by that short yet lively stretch.
Per media reports, the section that was recently opened to the public is just the "showcase area," as this project seeks to improve the banks along the entire length of Pasig River from Port Area to eastern Metro Manila (see Manila Bulletin's article here). Very ambitious but doable!
HOW TO GET THERE? Jeepney and e-trikes are the best and cheapest. You can take the following as these routes ply very near the place:
- Baclaran-Divisoria jeepney route. If northbound (going Divisoria), alight at the foot of Jones Bridge before crossing the Pasig River. You will find the Manila Post Office building, head in that direction and the esplanade will be waiting for you. If southbound (going Baclaran), alight at Jones Bridge just after the jeep crossed the river. Take the bridge stairs and you will be near the western end of the esplanade.
- Quirino/Pedro Gil-Divisoria e-trike route. Same instructions as above. The definition of southbound this time would be going in the direction of Quirino Avenue or Pedro Gil Street.
- Retiro-Pier South jeepney route. Southward jeeps (going Pier South) will be the closest as you can alight right beside the esplanade, make sure to alight at the Riverside Drive before the jeep passes through the south tunnel of Jones Bridge. Northbound (going Retiro) is very different because Riverside Drive is one-way street. The nearest location you can get off from a Retiro-bound jeep is at Plaza Lawton or Liwasang Bonifacio and walk towards the Manila Post Office building, you will find the esplanade behind it.
- Malanday-Pier South 15 jeepney route. Same instructions as above, with definition of northbound being Malanday-bound traffic.
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Sunset view taken from MacArthur Bridge with Pasig River Esplanade (Manila Post Office Building area) on the left and Plaza Yuchengco (the linear park at the opposite riverbank) on the right. |
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Map showing the suggested plan for a ten-thousand-steps walking tour from Rizal Park to Pasig River Esplanade near Jones Bridge. (Map screen grab from OpenStreetMap. Click or tap on photo to enlarge.) |
MINI BLOG PLUG.
Got more time reading? You may want to explore more on this blog by reading these two about the author (Outer Layer and Inner Core), or by finding the all-time most popular posts at the bottom part of this page.
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Thanks for dropping by, peeple!
1 Comments
Ten Thousand Steps Recommended Itinerary
ReplyDeleteFrom the Rizal Monument, traverse the park via the walkway beside the Dancing Fountain Lagoon. When you reach Maria Orosa Street, walk to your left until you reach the intersection, then cross the zebra lane at your right-hand side.
Follow the sidewalk, cross Finance Road, and it will lead you to the National Museum of the Philippines (Fine Arts building). You may want to spend some time inside if you are an arts enthusiast.
From the museum entrance, you have to cross the road towards the Gomburza monument, follow the curved sidewalk and take the Manila City Hall pedestrian underpass to get to the other side where the city hall is.
Walk towards the Kartilya ng Katipunan and follow the sidewalk going to Mehan Garden entrance and Park N Ride bus terminal.
Enter the Lawton pedestrian underpass and go up the middle stairs to your right (not the one at the end as it will bring you to the opposite side of the road). Pass through the Hidden Garden, carefully cross the road to Liwasang Bonifacio. The esplanade is just behind the post office building.