Melo Villareal
Exploring Paco Park and Cemetery Manila
Paco Park was built in 1820, and back then, the Paco Cemetery gave rest to the cholera epidemic victims. Ramon Solano y Lladeral, who was a Spanish Governor-General of the Philippines along with several bishops, and the historically known GomBurZa after the execution in 1872, was buried in the cemetery.
Paco Park was supposedly the municipal cemetery for wealthy Spanish families during the Spanish colonization period. The dead’s remains were buried in the cemetery located in the District of Dilao, the former name for Paco.
But just a jeepney ride away from Intramuros is another oasis in Manila – the Paco Park and Cemetery. Paco Park was declared a National Park in 1966 and was dubbed the Philippines’ most beautiful park.
The remains of Dr. Jose Rizal were originally buried in Paco Cemetery before it was interred again in Luneta Park in 2012.
How to get there
Paco Park is just one jeepney ride away from Intramuros, another eye-catching scenery found in Manila.
To get there, you can ride a jeep, bus, or LRT 1. The earliest travel time is 26 minutes from Forever 21 to Paco Park by riding a UV then a jeep. Or if you are from Malate, Paranaque, just ride a UV then a jeep, and you will arrive at Paco Park in just 29 minutes.
Here is a summary of routes, modes of transport, and their corresponding travel time:
| Point of Origin | Mode of Transportation | Travel Time |
| San Dionisio, Paranaque | Jeep > Bus | 78 minutes |
| MIA Road – Coastal, Paranaque | Bus | 46 minutes |
| Cathedral Parish of St. Andrew, Paranaque | Bus | 60 minutes |
| Fatima University Medical Center, Valenzuela | Jeep > Jeep | 67 minutes |
| Tea Rock Cafe, Quezon City | Jeep | 48 minutes |
| Avida Towers, Paranaque | Jeep > Bus | 79 minutes |
| Malate, Paranaque | UV > Jeep | 29 minutes |
| D’ Cream, Makati City | Jeep > Jeep | 68 minutes |
| CaviteX Las Pinas Toll Barrier, Las Pinas | Bus | 63 minutes |
| Forever 21 | UV > Jeep | 26 minutes |
Interesting Facts
- The three priests, Fathers José A. Burgos, Mariano C. Gomez, and Jacinto R. Zamora, were buried in the park after the execution in 1872. They were the “martyrs” of the nation and later inspired Jose Rizal to forward his advocacies for independence.
- Jose Rizal himself, the Philippine National Hero, was initially buried there, and his remains lay six-feet underground without a coffin.
- At the main gate of Paco Park, a Latin text engraved, “Beati mortui qui in domino moriuntur” that can be translated to “Blessed are the dead who die in the grace of Lord.”
- We mentioned that Paco was formerly known as Dilao, and it is because of the Amaryllis plants that surrounded the wondrous place.
- Today, the park is an avenue for gatherings for weddings, prenups, photoshoots, and mini romantic dates. The Manila City government hosts concerts in the park, and it is open daily from 7:00AM – 5:00PM.
- Fridays are for “Paco Park Presents,” where you can witness musical artists and chorales performing Filipino local and traditional music by the sunset.
Weddings at Paco Park
If you are a couple who wishes to do your wedding at an unconventional garden-like venue, the Chapel of St. Pancratius, located inside the romantic Paco Park, might be one option for you. It is managed by the Vincentian fathers of Adamson University. The ambiance of the place is endearing. The vintage exteriors, and the warm and cozy feel of the garden are perfect for taking pictures of a very intimate wedding. It is fully air-conditioned and can accommodate up to 100 people. It is simple yet elegant.
Prenup Shoot
With its vintage gate and walls with vines, as well as elegant structures that take you back in time, Paco Park is also the favorite spot and prenup shoot location. There is something magical, as many couples have remarked in this place. It is so intimate and solemn and so romantic that people love visiting it, spending their rest days from work, or taking a breather from their day-to-day stress.
Rizal Park and Paco Park Venue Rental Fees
For couples who want a solemn wedding at St.Pancratius Chapel, you only have to coordinate with Adamson University for fees and terms. The rates range from 20,000 – to 50,000. There will be a payment schedule of Php 5,000 down payment, while the full payment should be paid one month before the scheduled wedding date.
| Venue | Time | Rates | |||
| Basic charge | Ingress/Egress | Cash bond (Refundable) | |||
| Chinese Whole Garden | 6:00AM-6:00PM | Php 50,000/4 hours | Php | 1,000/hour | Php 10,000 |
| Php12,500/additional hr. | |||||
| Minimum of 4 hours | |||||
| 6:00PM-6:00AM | Php 60,000/4 hours | Php | 1,000/hour | ||
| Php 15,000/additional | |||||
| hr. | |||||
| Minimum of 4 hours | |||||
| Japanese Whole Garden | 6:00AM-6:00PM
6:00PM-6:00AM | Php 16,000/4 hours Phpb 3,000/additional hr. Minimum of 4 hours Php 18,000/4 hours Php 3,500/additional hr. Minimum of 4 hours | Php Php | 1,000/hour 1,000/hour | Php 10,000
Php 10,000 |
| Kanlungan ng Sining | 6:00AM-6:00PM
6:00PM-6:00AM | Php 16,000/4 hours Php3,000/additional hr. Php 18,000/4 hours Php 3,500/additional hr. Minimum of 4 hours | Php
Php | 1,000/hour
1,000/hour | Php 10,000
Php 10,000 |
| Open Air Auditorium | Php 22,500/4 hours Php4,500/additional hr. Minimum of 4 hours
Rehearsal Fee: Php 2,250/hr Minimum of 1 hour | Php | 1,000/hour | Php 10,000 | |
| Paco Park Garden | 6:00AM-6:00PM
6:00PM-6:00AM | Php 16,000/4 hours Php 2,700/additional hr. Minimum of 4 hours Php 18,000/4 hours Php 3,600/additional hr. Minimum of 4 hours | Php 10,000/day
Php 10,000/day | Php 10,000
Php 10,000 | |
| Paco Park Lounge | Php 5,000/4 hours Php 1,250/additional hr. Minimum of 4 hours | Php 1,000/hour | Php 10,000 | ||
| Paco Park Enclosed Gardens (Osorio 1,2 and 3) | Php 10,000/4 hours Php 2,500/additional hr. Minimum of 4 hours | Php 1,000/hour | Php 10,000 | ||
Best time to visit
Paco Park is open from 8 AM to 5 PM, from Tuesday to Sunday.
Entrance fee
There is a Php10 entrance fee to Paco Park.
Contact Info
St. Pancratius Chapel (Paco Park)
#959 San Marcelino St., Paco, Manila
Telephone: (02) 525-7853 | (02) 524-2022 loc. 101
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Also read:
- Manila Travel Attractions: Interesting Places To Visit In Manila
- Top 10 Best Wedding Churches In Metro Manila
