LUCENA CITY—The provincial government of Quezon has fully restored a sunken garden at Perez Park at the capitol compound here since its establishment 90 years ago.
Last week Gov. David Suarez led the ceremonial cutting of ribbons of the 5,000-square-meter Block 1 of the park which signaled its opening for public use and enjoyment, especially by children.
“This is the first of a series of improvements the provincial government of Quezon will undertake. We hope that these structural improvements and restoration of historical landmarks will encourage you to spend your moments with your families and friends, bonding and enjoying with one another and especially the children who will be at play here,” Suarez said after the ribbon-cutting and looking at the slides and see-saw placed at the center of the park built in 1927 after its donation by Don Felimon Perez to the then- province of Tayabas.
Suarez said it was a dream of his administration to restore the historical significance and value of the whole Perez Park for the appreciation of the new generation of Quezonians about the real beauty of the old park. He said it is about time Quezon residents recall and enjoy the old park.
“The sunken garden is something we should be proud of. It brings back our pride and identity,” said Vladimir Agcaoili Nieto, a noted local history enthusiast, in his comment about the photos on Facebook about the opening of the park’s Block 1.
The governor was accompanied to walk around the park by his wife, Party-list Rep. Anna Villaraza-Suarez of Alona and his mother, former Third District Rep. Aleta Suarez, as children with their parents in tow passed the entrance and poured into the park’s facilities.
A 60-foot-tall Christmas tree stands nearby and was flocked by children and adults, with most of them doing their selfie picture-taking at its foot.
The park’s Block 1 opening kicked off the “Pasko sa Kapitolyo” (Christmas at the Capitol) as it was followed by an open Holy Mass, the ceremonial switch-on of the giant Christmas tree and Christmas lights and decorations around the whole capitol compound together with a fireworks display and capped toward evening by a musical concert of Manila Philharmonic Orchestra, University of Sto. Tomas singers and ASAP Birit Queen Morisette Amon at Quezon Convention Center.