LAST Dec. 27, 2021, the National Parks Development Committee unveiled the new branding of the Rizal Park, to include in its logo the name Luneta, as the park is known, and referred to by ordinary Filipinos. They agreed to the suggestion to use Rizal Park Luneta in the logo to retain in the branding how the people traditionally know the place and to distinguish it from the many Rizal Parks around the country and abroad.
In 2013, a book edited by architect Paolo Alcazaren titled Parks for a Nation, mentioned that the Luneta was once a small defense structure outside Intramuros in what is now the site of the Planetarium. It was shaped like a lunette moon, hence Luneta (something that has the shape of a media luna or half-moon or crescent). By the time of Rizal, the structure had already been demolished but the name was not forgotten. The park was known as "Luneta de Bagumbayan," since it is in the bigger Bagumbayan area which included the Malate and Ermita districts. A stylized pentagon Luneta shape is included in the new logo so as to re-educate people on the etymology of the place.
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