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Through the history of mankind recreation is fundamentally a large part of their existence as
eventually proven by close examination of the lives of previous society. Man has always had a
propensity or natural bent for physical activities. Such innate urge was visibly carried upon subsequent
generations, though only deferred in temper and passion, depending on prevailing culture, location and
daily pursuit necessary for survival. Primitive as it may, they engaged in routine war-like or religious
practice kind of recreation and sports of which hunting and dancing were held favoritely where they
used to placate the gods for divine intercession. Therefore, as early as the dawning of civilization,
recreation was regarded basic to man. This was true to the Greeks when they laid the philosophy
behind the initial Olympics that strengthened their city-state ideals.

The Spanish lengthy colonial rule of this island didn͛t do much on the native recreational affairs,
they even utilized it to prop-up and promote their implanted religion where ͞fiestas͟ were rooted. Such
celebrations were impregnated with competitive ethnic sports as part of merriment for the elaborate
observance, but only to accustom and weld the populace deeper into the Catholic faith.

Towards the close of the days of empires in 1898, the Americans reached our shores as the next
colonial master. Manila͛s cold reception over their scheming and victorious showing was reciprocated
positively by the Yankees prodigious effort at motivating the city folks to a new way of lifestyle, much
different from the antiquated acquiescence we grew with. The Americans introduced systematically
democratic percepts through mode of education, health and hygiene, a brand of gospel and new
recreational experiences. As such, supplanted a wholly alien culture that filtered in every phase of
Filipino life, the purveyors Thomasites did not only taught the 3 r͛s but acculturated us with their sporty
nature. These pioneers initiated the calisthenics to condition the minds and bodies of their brown pupils
and made them understand how essential recreation to them. The move took the auspicious
precedence in developing well-rounded and physically fit citizenry to populate their Asian possession.
Unlike the Spandiars that left their Indo subjects with little access to literacy, frivolity and recreation,
relegated them only to the feudal life, labor and pious sacrifices, ͞sungka͟ and ͞sabong͟ to engross with.
Sports and amusement were considered commodities and properties of the wealthy few who bet on
bullfights, horse races and matches in fencing and chess. The sportsminded Americans afforded the
Filipinos the needed leisure time and recreational diversions, thus paved the groundwork and
enthusiasm for sports. They opened opportunities to enjoy a fuller life while galvanizing co-existence
and unity with the inhabitants. Manilas found themselves spellbound by the great white ways. The
early American authorities picked bright ͞Columbus͟ among the native boys as Pensionados to the
United States. Upon returning, the batch established the Philippine Columbian Association hand in hand
with the YMCA helped nurtured local interests in recreation aside from patriotic aspirations, Supt.
Frederick England workout for the massive sporting program tapping government personnel and
students.

For three decades of sporting under the American flag, homegrown sports great were produced,
molded and brought to international fame, the likes of first Filipino Olympian weightlifter Regino Ylanan,
world boxing champ Pancho Villa, basketball cager Jacinto Ciria Cruz to name a few and made basketball
our national pastime. Characterized with the period of prosperity, the Americanzed Manila was blessed
with City Mayors credited with catalogs of recreational achievements such as Justo Lucban who
purchased the modern sports equipment for Manilans in 1918, Mayor Felix Roxas with a dozen of Parks
and Playgrounds he constructed in 1922 and Miguel Romualdez in 1925 started the ball rolling for the
realization of Rizal Memorial Stadium that added to Manila͛s stature as far as east first world-class city.
 Global events afterwards drove the Philippines into the Second World War being a U.S. Satellite.
Japanese occupation struck fear among citizenry and recreation was banned for a year (1942) with only
basketball and the compulsory Taiso calesthenics permissible. Manila became a war arena in 1944 with
the rage of the Japanese rampage at the end of those godless years, ensuing atrocities and
unprecedented devastation that left the once prosperous Manila in ruins. Government adifices
including our service facilities were obliterated, rendering recreation impossible in such desperate
situation and practically retarded the impetus of progress. But like the legendary Phoenix the city raises
and fleshes out from its ashes. By 1950, post war recovery accelerated with foreign aid that helped
transform the squalled Manila into a throbbing metropolis again, the focal point renewed and recovery
effort was once more a scene of all cosmopolitan trapping, modern amenities, lively citizenry,
reverberating amusement centers and sporting fervor, all resurrected. However, the city government
was confronted with enormous problems of juvenile delinquency and gangsterism that were commonly
associated with the hate and repressiveness of the war. Such phenomena aggravated other inherent
predicaments like slums, poverty and psychological trauma requiring urgent addressing. On reinstated
Mayor Nolasco͛s shoulder, the burden of infrastructural and human rehabilitation fell. Recognizing the
logic of reconstructing recreational facilities, Dr. Nolasco acted with dispatch to curb the war-rooted
malefactors. He, thus, redirected wayward energies of youngsters, revived their appetite for sports and
contained excessive time to wholesome leisure. Sustaining the move of his predecessor Mayor Fugoso
went on further into tending the war displaced youth. He instituted a Boys Home to reform youth
offenders. The prevalent problems continued to bug the exemplar Mayor Dela Fuente who was a
believer in sports. As a solution, he refurbished antiquated play apparatuses and pursued more
aggressively by putting up the Manila Boystown and worked out for the construction of more
playgrounds. Being a former athlete and police chief, the mayor was quite obsessed with the task, he
ordered the use of end roads and encouraged a vacant lots be converted to basketball courts. When
visionary Arsenio Lacson took over the rein, he initiated merger of City Engineering͛s Public Recreation
Division with the Public Welfare͛s Youth Service Division into Youth and Public Recreations Bureau. On
his instance, the Manila Zoo and Botanical Garden was realized in 1956 (the first public zoo in Asia) to
the delight of the country. Hewing from the blueprint of Lacson, innovative Antonio Villegas came up
with a novelty project called ͞Paraiso ng Batang Maynila͟ aimed at following up the good result of
consecutive efforts of Hizzoners before him. The initial ten paraisos featured and ultra modern
playgrounds with complete amenities colored and designed to attract appeal among children, sparking
their imagination, creativity and health progress. The ͞Paraiso͟ eventually became additional landmark
and gave vibrance the visual image of Manila. Manifesting sincere concern, Mayor Yeba (as Villegas
fondly called) envigorated the Public Recreations Bureau into full swing to competently manage his pet
projects and to implement to the fullest the mandate stipulated in Republic Act 5264 that officially
created the Bureau. Subsequent administrations contributed their piece in the demand of building
better constituency. The stewardship of Mayor Bagatsing maintained and reconditioned the decade
depreciated ͞paraisos͟ to suffice the beautification agenda of then First Lady Imelda R. Marcos. His
athletic programs resulted records of excellence of Manila in the ͞Palarong Pambansa͟. The Marcos
years prove a benison to traditional and native games with Manila as rebirth place of ͞sipa͟, ͞patintero͟,
͞arnis͟ etc. Mayor Mel Lopez for his part built significant infrastructures like the Tondo and San Andres
Sports Complexes while Mayor Alfredo S. Lim embarked intensively on grassroots with the barangays
and NGOs͛ involvement in his recreational programs during his term. Mayor Lito Atienza made a
rundown of remodeling the facilities, glossed over and refurbished additional structures as exemplified
by the ͞Sentro ng Malikhaing Manileño͟.

Today, the advocacy continues with five (5) sports complexes, 36 covered courts, 36 open
courts, 4 swimming pools, 6 tennis courts, 1 softball field, 4 handball courts, 2 gateball courts, 9
͞paraisos͟/playgrounds, two (2) coliseums and a stadium (operated presently by the national
government were rosters of celebrated athletes trained and attained glories like Elorde, De Vega,
Buhain, and latest sports hero Pacquiao who shared the country with international limelight). The
bureau dispenses peculiar services of putting the city residence in top shape, sound body and helps
cultivate well-rounded personalities, disciple, sociable and productive stock of Manilaños. Ultimately
the Public Recreations Bureau fulfills its avowed objectives and establishes its primordial role as an
important institution in our midst, today and beyond͙͙
 
 
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 The following 10 ͞Paraisos͟ were built by Mayor Antonio J. Villegas thru City Ordinances
appropriating certain amounts be made available for the construction/rehabilitation, installation of
electrical lightings, purchase of equipments of playgrounds in the City of Manila:

1.? Vitas Paraiso

2.? Patricia Paraiso
3.? Delpan Paraiso
4.? Andalucia
5.? Dakota Paraiso
6.? San Andres Paraiso
7.? Bagong Buhay Paraiso
8.? Leyte-Bataan Paraiso
9.? Abad Santos Paraiso
10.?Union Public Playground ʹ not existing ʹ now BLISS at Quirino Ave., Union Sts.


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By: Oliver D. Acantilado
Erwin V. Hombrebueno
Trinidad M. Sore


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Progress by the turn of the 19th Century is viewed from the elevated location of the Tondo
Church. These include a beautiful parcel of land accentuated by backdrop of Spanish period houses and
century trees, near the shoreline that was once the people͛s park on market day, cockfighting (sabong)
fare and moro-moro staging ground. There is a plaza nestled between the Tondo Primary School
(todays͛ Isabelo de los Reyes), the massive church structure and reclaimed land that would be the Mary
Johnston Hospital. In 1920, the American authorities noticed the potential of the site for a recreational
diversion, remodeled it into a plaza cum playground facility, thereon the place became the venue for
practically all sort of event, sport-culture and religious activities of the Tondeños. It was Mayor Justo
Lucban who initially developed the playground. Decades of transformation followed at every change of
administration since then, not always for the betterment, but otherwise, like in 1935, a permanent stage
was installed, then a gazebo, which is novelty at that time, later a public artisan well in 1940, a police
precinct in 1960 when a scarcity of leisure outlets bred callousness and gangsterism among youngsters
that turned Tondo into a hotbed of crimes and lawlessness. The remaining greeneries and playing
apparatus vanished gradually. At times, seasonal cheap carnival used to occupy it. In the 70͛s, a face-
lifting came along with the cosmetics of the New Society which is beautification was in order, the Tondo
playground was resurrected into life and refurbished to merely a passing fed then it was left forlorn.
When sports minded Mayor Mel Lopez assumed the city͛s top post, he worked out for two big
recreational complexes that Manilans can be proud of. Thus, the Tondo Sports Complex, well equipped
modern structure with outdoor swimming pool and present day͛s provision that befits it come into
existence.


 
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Vitas Sports facility is an open space for breathing relief of the crowded erstwhile Tenement
housing in the coastal tip of Tondo. It is an alternative site for the close Vitas Paraiso. This facility has a
basketball and a volleyball court compactly located within a confine of the phased out Tenement
building and the PMC refinery. But as always, it is the favorite leisure site for the denizens of Tondo͛s
laboring folks. Though not modest it may be, the playground serves well as its purpose as deterrent
against potential juvenile delinquent and other malefactors, aside from promoting physical fitness and
generating community goodwill.



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Among the ͞Paraisos͟ put up by the then Mayor Antonio Villegas is the Vitas Paraiso ng Batang
Maynila, whose location is adjacent the Vitas Slaughterhouses and few meters away from the previous
site of the infamous smokey mountain. What used to be a playground of yesteryears has become a
neglected and stinking area for quite sometime, until it was totally resurrected into a nice recreational
facility for children͛s enjoyment, through the effort of His Honor Mayor Alfredo S. Lim, in line with his
͞Linisin at Ikarangal ang Maynila͟ Program.

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Located in the interior part of the Maharlika St., in Tondo, Manila, under the jurisdiction of
barangay 85 is a mini covered basketball facility known in the community as Maharlika I. The total land
area of the facility does not conform with the standard measurements of an official size regular
basketball court. The area was only maximized to accommodate two Basketball goals for athletes to
play regular basketball games.

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Few blocks away form the Maharlika Playground 1 is a much bigger and better Basketball Court,
registered in the PRB list as the Maharlika Playground 2. The facility conform with the standard size of a
regular Basketball Court and like the Maharlika I, Maharlika 2 is also a covered court where everyone
could enjoy the use of the same in any weather condition.

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The dire need for recreational activity after the World War II paved the way for the use of dead
end road for recreation space as the case of Mercado St., in Dagupan area. This is ordered by then
Mayor Dela Fuente to address the growing problem of juvenile delinquency. He sought for the approval
of City Ordinance 3308 s 1949 and implement it with dispatch thus paving and lighting were done with
essential game apparatus installed to the satisfaction of the blighted residence area. As a result it has
helped mitigate problem in the trouble hidden place. For over five decades, the facility afforded service
and still extant today sustaining the recreational requirements of the turf. It is a daytime a convergence
of densely playful urchins and at night, a scene of Inter-Barangay basketball league that builds social
network among the populous neighborhood in Dagupan. Due to wear and tear, another measure was
sought by then Mayor Arsenio Lacson for the approval of City Ordinance no. 3763 for the installation of
electric lighting facilities thereat.

 
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The conversion to basketball court of a vacant space behind the Fugoso Health Center in 1948
was a mutual project of the Manila Health Department and City Engineering-Recreation Division. As
such, the auspicious beginning of the Bo. Fugoso playground. The site was place into the attendant care
of Mr. Jose Maniago who was absorbed in the government service. In the succeeding years with the
prevailing air of goodwill in the place, well meaning residents of the area help in improving its crude
state to a more serviceable one. Permanent pavement replaced the asphalt and concrete fence stall.
The improved look of the unit attracted more following and goaded carefree teens to the playground to
engrossed their leisure time to positive sporting skills outlet. The Fugoso recreational facility has in
many ways help reduced gripping social problem in the 60͛s when the area was vexed by delinquent
youth from the slums dweller after the war. Now it is where healthy sporting is being held constantly
and zest for life strongly charge the place. Today, Bo. Fugoso is a covered Basketball Court found in
between Padre Rada and Matimtiman Sts., where sports enthusiasts especially the less fortunate
residents frequent thereat for their daily physical and recreational activity.

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One of the remarkable public edifice erected in Tondo in recent years is the Patricia Sports
Complex (Sentro ng Malikhaing Manileño). The structure took over the one Paraiso ng Batang Maynila
that use to cater for the recreational cares of the District. It can boast of its big indoor court,
gymnasium, indoor gaming and social hall under one roof and a setting conducive to recreational
environment. Lately, it nominally acquired the name ͞Sentro ng Malikahaing Manileño͟ that ascribed
not only for sports buff but also a workplace for creative artisans. It offers comely surroundings and a
range of leisurely activities that envisioned to draw positivism, bonding and productive Tondeños.

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A typical neighborhood basketball court conveniently located at a dead end of A. Herrera St., of
Bo. Obrero. This play court caught the attention of Mayor Manuel Dela Fuente in 1948. Having a knack
for infrastructure, the mayor workout for the immediate implementation of RA 119 s 49 allocating a
budget for the development of the crude court. Thus, asphalting and installation of board and ring
illumination following by the year end face lifted playground attracted more client and became a source
of joying the turf as sear of year round cage match on the populous vicinity, the court is popular known
as ͞BOYAA͟ among the youngsters, players and peers of the place and overlaying area where the Bo.
Obrero youth and athletic association had a legion of following.

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Manilans old timers recalled it as peacetime boxing and tennis venue where the great Pancho
Villa and tennis star mighty Mite Ampon trained. The place was favorite tennis venue when the game
was hailed as a novelty until the Japanese occupations curtailed the amusement and suspend all
sporting activities. After the repressive rule, Tennis buffs led by then Sportsman Manuel Elizalde clear
the Old Maiesic Playground of war waste, while Don Andres Soriano donated sports materials and
boxing ring. It took shape impressively to meet the standard of Tennis games that enable Manila to host
the 1955 Asian Open Pacipic Open. In the 60͛s, the site became a friendship ground for Filipino Tsinoy.
This Reigna Regente Playground as it known is regarded among the oldest and well kept recreational
facilities of the City.

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Just off the bustling Divisoria and Tutuban, lies Bo. Menu recreational ground since 1970. It is a
covered court surrounded by compact residence with all esquinitas leading and passing through the
covered court. So populous the area was that scheduling of games is reasonably a problem, it is
delegated to barangay officials. Almost from dawn to dusk, basketball avid animated the facility that
helps condition the physical stamina and muscles of the young hands that helps run commerce in
Divisoria as most of the users of this facility are engage in small scale trade and vending. The Bo. Menu
playground is small with only 252 sq.m. floor area but renders a big amount of service.



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From industrial parcel of land of lumber yard and warehouses, the Delpan facility took shape.
It͛s where the working class in that corner of the city meet draw with their recreational drive there until
the construction of the Del Pan Bridge in 1960 that left lying excess swath of land purposely for traffic
exigent that has yet to come. The nearby neighborhood converted it into a soft ball tract. During the
villegas Mayorship, it was turned into ͞Paraiso ng Batang Maynila͟ serving the San Nicolas Binondo area.
The project spiced up the urban leaving in the otherwise, depress community. It delighted the tykes and
teens that were kept out of street and got involved in sports and wholesome play for a decade of sheer
enjoyment. The designated hard court became a favorite haunt after the dark but gradually notoriously
creeps in within the decadence of the period. In 1980, the Kabataang Barangay compellingly petitioned
then Mayor Bagatsing who give in to their request thus, a bid indoor playcourt structure was
constructed. Consecutive administration refurbish the complex with new sports equipments, upgraded
the existing apparatus and remodeling the building to catch up with the demands of time. The modest
sport center today has amenities of a gym, and an open basketball court, still existing paraiso, tennis
lawn and a clubhouse to boost of.

  
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It could be presume that the Laloma Playground was established at the entrance of the century
old Manila North Cemetery to give a lighter view of the other, otherwise gloom sight of life. Dating back
in 1935 the front portion of wooded old ͞Campo Santo͟ was cleared for weekend softball matching
between Laloma, Bahay Pare and Rizal Subd. Park Subdivision, (now streets are reference to Rizal like
Blumentritt, Elias, Calamba, etc.) until temporary convert as junkyard of the phase out tram via after the
pacific Japanese aggression. The place was enliven with games again by 1950͛s as a old timer Manilans
could only but recall that the Laloma Recreational Unit is the setting of then soapbox carting.
Improvements were gradually introduced by a Sport Club in the 60͛s. The medical student of Chinese
General Hospital often made use of it shared effort to enhance the sport venue. The vast area was
reduced during the Martial Law days, when the newly created, Park De. Authority move in and was
diminished further in the 80͛s by the Cemetery Office. The crematorium and chapel came lately with
the Drug Rehabilitation Center took over its remaining lying area with only the tennis court left. Now,
Laloma Tennis Court and Basketball Court was named Blumentritt Playground , Blumentritt Tennis Club
(BLUTEC) managed the said Tennis Court and later the name of the club was changed to Manila Baseline
Tennis Club.

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This sport venue is otherwise known as SILAS that stand for St. Ignatius De Loyola Athletic and
Sports Court is nestled in the residential blocks of barangay between Bambang and Alvarez in Sta. Cruz,
Manila. It was an act of the first Barangay Council led by Capt. Zosima Yap in 1977 to turn down the
dilapidated sanitary facility that once occupying the parcel of lot. Responding to the Kabataang
Barangay of Sta. Cruz, who petitioned Mayor Bagatsing, the vacated land was converted into Barangay
Hall and playground complex. Months later after the concerted effort it became operational. Today, it
is where youthful quality time is worthily spend thru sporting thus ensuring them in great shape.

3
 

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Conspicuously located at the junction of Tecson and Natividad Sts., is the standard size
neighborhood playcourt familiary called Tecson basketball court. It has been in existence for number of
decades. Currently, it received a face-lifting to recondition and to update it meet the trend as all
weather court having a roof. This recreational facility is servicing the residence of Blumentritt area in
Sta. Cruz. As more discreet middle class community surrounds it that benefits from its͛ space as social
nucleus aside from sports and physical fitness line of service it offer. A barangay center stand behind
the covered court helped maintain and managed it. The Tecson playground incessantly generate
dynamism and excitement that space and extent that spice the community life in that part of
Blumentritt area.
    
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It͛s location seems carefully considered to serve two districts of Manila lying between Sta. Cruz
and Sampaloc in Andalucia St. The place used to be a parcel of the prewar Washington Primary School,
predecessor of today͛s Juan Sumulong Elementary School. It was turned into a Batang Maynila as one
among Villegas͛ fondest project for generation of children to benefit from. With its appealing play,
amenities for kids, the Andalucia Playground is virtually a heaven for the lively tykes of the place until
the emergence of Metro Manila Commission during the martial rule in 1975 that used the space as
depot of its Environment Sanitation Dept. It was reverted to its original purpose by the district
Congressman Fugoso, later thru his effort the playground was remodeled to include the covered court
that it is today. The facility have a prototype pre-cast concrete horse among its permanent fixture, that
has a references of the Horse Racing Hippodrome that once stood next to it the montionless figure seem
watching what future holds for the place.

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Undoubtedly the most popular recreational facility of the Third District of Manila is the Rizal
Avenue Sports Athletics Complex (RASAC) located conveniently at the centermost point of Sta. Cruz
where the first bust of the national hero Dr. Jose Rizal was installed during its opening and dedication in
1910. Its reconstruction into a covered court by the sportstar turned solon Freddie Webb and Mayor
Alfredo S. Lim in 1995 made the complex an all weather venue for sports and other collective public
affairs. Additional improvements were made in recent past, erecting a big multipurpose building that
accommodate a City Hall Satellite Office, Police outpost, Recreation Division field office and a stage
reconditioning of the handball, tennis court and secured by high look thru fencing, a whole scale
development that matches its present highly urban setting.

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Equally hemmed between the old Wilson Student Home, today͛s Kaunlaran Student Hostel, and
a boxing training gym at Paredes St., the Isabelo Delos Reyes facility started as a handball court in the
1948 that was expanded during the term and effort of Mayor Dela Fuente thry R#355 s 49 that
converted it into a regular size basketball court. Students from colleges its proximity matches their
basketball prowess in the venue during daytime while as evening draw closer to the community, youth
take over the court to relish their excitement as they prepare for the seasonal playoffs in the parochial
league that climax at the Fiesta celebration. Today the covered court well paved and lighted is
maintained by the tasks Barangay authorities led by long time Chairman Alexander ͞Bomber͟ Pamilosa
who fenced his nickname ͞Bomber͟ as informal name for the said sporting place. Bomber himself is a
retired government recreation personnel and sports aficionado himself.

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Life in Sampaloc District would have never been fuller should residence within the vicinity of
Dapitan Sports Complex, now Se. Arturo Tolentino Sports Complex had not any chance spent their
leisure time in the facility. A model among numerous service unit of Public Recreations Bureau, the
complex was first constructed in 1948 and completed a year after, which was turned over by the
Department of Engineering and Public Works to the City Health Officer for it͛s custody under Dr., M. C.
Icasiano. The same was inaugurated on March 4, 1950 by the then Mayor Hon. Manuel Dela Fuente.
Through the years, it became the activity center of sporty people, availing its indoor basketball court,
tennis court and a nice swimming pool which is the most attended attraction within the complex.
Successive administration took turn in putting additional improvement to bring about a sports landmark
that it is today.

Recently, the recreational center who dedicated to the memory of the late Senator Arturo
Tolentino whose valuable effort help realized the sports center and whose figure last a big shadow in
Manila and the Philippine politics during his lifetime.



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Located almost in the center of the city being in Quiapo, the Del Paso Playground is always
teemed with hardcourters and otherwise, student from nearby MLQU, Guzman Institute and other
schools in the periphery who also frequent this place to do away with bore doom or just while off vacant
time. Since its establishment by resolution 3814 in 1956, it has survived many consequential changes in
the area and still extant. Today, it is a scene of euphoric excitement particularly every summer nights
when enthusiasm for basketball is high rendering a free entertainment in that rather commercialized
Quiapo area.

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A relatively small recreational outlet that begun as a handball court in the 50͛s. Additional land
area was acquired this by then Congressman Ramon Bagatsing and its City Council partner Councilor
Vicente Cruz, sponsoring an expropriating amount to effect the purchase of the property and developing
the site to a regular basketball court for the Loreto area residents especially the adolescents who are
learning the rudiment of games. It has since undergone number of improvements of which the latest is
the covered court. Seldom if ever the venue is not animated by leisure seeker, today, the court is one
among the place where our youthful cage protagonist had the opportunity to wage their worth thru
sports and draw fascinated crowd to witness their achievements.

 

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Located across the Manila Zoo is the Dakota Triangle Playground, now known as the ͞DAKOTA ʹ
PARAISO NG BATANG MAYNILA͟, one of the major recreational facilities in Manila. It occupies the
biggest parcel among the city playgrounds with a land area consisting of 10,700 sq. m. It used to be the
initial among then Mayor Antonio J. Villegas͛ ͞Paraisos͟, the ground still serviceable to Manileños with
its covered courts with elevated bleachers for vantage viewing. It is famous for it͛s ͞FISH GATE͟
entrance facing along M. Adriatico St. A gateball for elderly residents along with the softball track was
recently installed, colorful play fixtures replaced the antiquated and in decrepit condition apparatus
installed during the 60͛s, that appeals to children͛s sheer physical exertion.

Recently, the monument of PLARIDEL stood proud in the hub of the playground.

A fence used to be constructed at the end of Leveriza st., near Estero de San Antonio Abad,
which was made through legislative action by then Municipal Board on December 12, 1952, in order that
children playing in said place may be safeguard from falling into the estero was already removed. Plaza
Asuncion was part of the DAKOTA ʹ Paraiso ng Batang Maynila.
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Gleaming over the City͛s municipal record, Feb. 1932, then incumbent Mayor Tomas
Earnshaw order the construction of a typical Ameridan period leisure park and recreational facility,
hence fort the Malate Playground become into existence for a decade until shelling and bombing that
rendered it a waste after the World War II. With the rehabilitation effort, decade after the war, the
sport facility was resurrected with additional improvement that include an elevated swimming pool that
attracted an attendant hoards of kids making it a weekend Mecca for water lover youngsters. In no
sooner time, the vast of informal settlers close in to the facility that became a setback on its operation,
insufficient water supply caused the untimely closure of its swimming pool. The present cutting edge
architecture structure was erected by Mayor Mel Lopez, the San Andres Sports Complex
metamorphosed into a modern service to City folks. Having the most contemporary public venue for
indoor ball games with the convenience of air-condition, impressive viewing space, parking, showers
and a range of sports amenities that will help envigorate the City constituent. It also proudly house the
Recreation Division of Public Recreations Bureau of the Cit of Manila which serves as the new center of
sporting officers and manage the network of recreation services of the city.

   
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The ever surging population compounded. The already complicated problem of the City decade
after the war drove Mayor Antonio Villegas pursuing his urban land Reform with the Fabie Estate for
housing settlement and service provision which parcel of Bo. San Jose was designated for recreational
purpose. It, thus, became the site of ͞Paraiso ng Batang Maynila͟, one among the innovative
playground infrastructure of Villegas Administration. Within the Complex is a Health Center, library and
elevated public swimming pool where bonafide card bearing Manila͛s avail of. It was inaugurated in
September 26, 1964 by Mayor Villegas and Congressman Pablo Ocampo whose effort was rendered
valuable in the land purchase and realization of the significant project that will be called ͞Bagong Buhay͟
Sports Complex. The facility through the years, served generation of Manilans and prove that the City is
a sports lover.

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Among the oldest sport facility of Manila is the Canonigo Covered Court, that dates back during
the turn of the century. The place conjure charm and nostalgia of the by gone American Era where the
site use to be baseball field of which portion gave away to the Tomasites Jefferson Primary School
(todays Celedonio Salvador Elem. School). Nevertheless the track of land still utilized for the periods
penchant for sporting like calisthenics, softball and basketball. The playground is hazard free being
hemmed by array of American vintage structures like Essco Shoes building, Philippine Refinery and Coca-
Cola Bottling Corp. By the decade 70, the relative spacious quite and greeny setting has gone smaller
with the encroachment of new building surrounding it. Today, the old venue seem have passed its
prime but with its ideal look is still a sanctuary of youngsters who enjoy their ball games there while
achieving fitness and productive leisurely indulgence.

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The playground has been in existence since 1943. It passed through stages of improvement and
transformation over the years. As it were then the site serves as converging place of the surroundings
community hence it host an active woman civic circle known as SASES, that event the facility adopted it
as other nomenclature. Realizing its strategical location, politician like Congressman Augusto Francisco
and wife Marina who in the late 60͛s also turned Congresswoman developed the site, expand and
paved, during their term as this more profound expression of service to the people of San Andres.
Consecutive offices thereafter made their share enhancing the facility. Today, it is still replete with
action notably the youth who savor outdoor action, sport challenges and those who simply enjoy time
with their peers under the overhead covered court.

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This sport facility could be historically traced from the land donation made by Senior Torres de
Vera consisting of 3,057 sq.m. in 1942, prior to the hearted kind act of the donor, a sizeable track of lot
is being used by the neighborhood for their leisure games during the peace time period. The Pacific war
curtailed all recreational activities with only basketball as permissible game. After the troubled years,
post war rehab effort turned the playground into a regular city facility, and was developed thru
Resolution 4148 s 1950. It became a hive once more of leisure seeker playing ball games, gambling
children and traditional sporting. More play apparatus stalled and pavement made to recondition it
under the Public Recreation supervision. A health center was constructed in the 60͛s and a stage
followed by other improvisation one after another. At present, this old TERVALAC playcourt as it was
fondly called then got it͛s roofing and still bustling with year round activities, survived the time,
continuously existing as a reminder of history, still serving us open space where the health conscious
Manila can simply breath and heartily play the day.


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From a recreational center of the defunct Riverside Subdivision that once the place was called,
the Leyte-Bataan Playground. Thru City Ordinance #3349, greening of all residential area including
subdivision inside the perimeter of the City became the order of the day by the mid 50͛s the place
became a shady playground frequented even by the non subdivision residents who joined, their peer
inside the private enclave that gradually turned the play park into public recreational facility. In 1962, it
became a Patrimonial Property. It was developed by Mayor Villegas as one of among his vaunted
͞Paraiso ng Batang Maynila͟. As such it was developed into a beautiful play park that caters youngsters
of the 60͛s. Some of its familiar structure are still extant and preserved to the fascination of today͛s
genre. It is a favorite of children of all ages because of its secured location and a pleasant setting. For
years, the playground was shared generations of young Manilans, from the place as well as these young
at heart, the health buffs and the sporty. As of late, a covered court and new apparatus were
incorporated to enhance this park further more.

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This site is a part of the vastly area that faces the ancient Sta. Ana Church. Then Mayor Felix Roxas
apportioned a part of which for playground while the nearby elongated portion he convert into a park.
The playground assumed the name Hugo from an illustrious lawyer in the American Era who helped the
formative stages of its development. At present the 959.64 sq.m. was even reduce to a size of typical
basketball court areas lying about it as occupied by a library in 1960 and in 1970 a Police Precinct took
over the other end. However, the Plaza playground remain as the districts focal point for public
gatherings and recreational activities due to it͛s proximately to the church, market, school and other
urban services agencies. The play center today, serves not only gaming pleasure but to some extent of
social inter-action among the diversified people of the turf. It is the place for developing collective
competence and other positive indulgence.



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Well hemmed at the mid ground of the Punta Tenement. This is not only servicing the housing
resident but the vicinity area as well. The basketball court is convertible to volleyball court and other
activities the habituates deem using it. As a basic provision in tenement living this facility has been
there since 1962 where occupants use to hold every communal undertaking in it, such as meeting, mass,
tiange, sporting and staging of cultural event and presentations. The Punta Playground seems a
barometer of the temper and mode in the tenement and clustered community that immediately
surround it. The court gets a sprucing during vacation when ball league is being called where new talent
demonstrates their sport gift in every possible light.

   

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This playground came into being thru R#199 s 1957 by then Congressman Ramon Bagatsing as
petitioned by the Araneta Subdivision Youth Club of the said place. The area of 700 sq.m. was made
available by the Araneta landholdings that is spacious for a modest playground. The City thru the
Recreational Division of the City Engineering Department installed the initial play apparatuses and other
recreational provisions. The playground became one the noted Villegas Paraisos that had seen better
days. Today, remnants of then ͞Paraiso͟ still intact as a reminder of the lighter days that were the Sta.
Mesa Tennis Court shared their ground. It also became the outdoor activity center for the parochial
church nearby that led the competitive gaming yearly that culminated the fiesta season. The Araullio
Playground is a premier recreational spot in Sta. Mesa District.

 
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While Manila is on the road to recovery from World War II, then, incumbent Mayor Lacson
deem of improving the crude basketball court in the inner core of Pandacan to compliment the renewed
zest for life of the constituents in the districts. The Ciria Cruz playground was upgraded to catch up with
the existing standard of a basketball court. The auspicious plan brought about the expansion of its land
area to accommodate a public swimming pool thereafter; by the mid 50͛s the conductively confronting
site became a well appointed place among leisure lover and health conscious people of Pandacan as
well as other adjoining districts. Later it was dedicated to exalt a Manila born 1930͛s Olympian Jacinto
Ciria Cruz known in sports world as ͞Jumping Jack͟ deserving of such a name for the sports venue on
glowing account that it is the home turf of the basketball hero who also made a heroic in feats
defending our freedom during World War II.

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The F. Muñoz playcourt is a typified compact neighborhood recreational site. Presently, the
venue is a result of successive improvement made by spirited barangay officials and civic leaders,
henceforth, it is not only a spirit monopoly but also a barangay activity center. It is good to note that
this sport facility also serve the crucial role of fostering goodwill among the folks of Singalong. One of
the frequently use recreational court, it evoke contenders and contagious appeal to players and even to
non-players who habituates the place.
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The imposing presence of the country͛s pioneer and premier recreational venue in Manila is an
onerous source of pride being located in Manila͛s Tourist belt. The first of its kind in Asia where the
most significant sporting events local and international takes place. This stately stadium interestingly
has a historical background spanning almost a century old, dating back in 1913, when the American
colonial governor Francis Bolton Harrison used the site as his outdoor respite. The wooded playfield
was included by Architect Daniel Burnham, an American city planner in 1922 to be part of his
commissioned project to build an Americanized Manila. Henceforth, the forest dense was cleared to
give way for a sport stadium. With no less than Manila Mayor Miguel Romualdez who initially made the
ball rolling for the realization of such ambitious undertaking. The huge infrastructure was largely funded
by the coppers and was sustained by the following administrations until its completion. Years there
after, a spanky stadium was inaugurated in 1925 much modern than its time, with complete range of
amenities attuned with the world͛s standard. Incessantly since establishment it became very much part
of the City͛s metropolitan existence that bears testimony to the government dynamism and primacy of
Manila as the world class capital city. Under the city auspices, the Rizal Memorial Stadium over then
years serves not only for sporting spectacles but also cultural extravaganzas and hosting big attendant
activities. When the hollocost of the costly liberation of Manila came about, the stadium was not spared
from wholescale war destruction, its vast ground turned battlefield by Allied Combatant flushing out,
holding Japanese in the stadium. Rehabilitation of the war ruined facility came only decade after the
atrocities but the reconstruction aftermath was not a benison for the city since the National
Government took over its management. Today, the magnificent stadium evoked nostalgia and exude an
ambiance of pride and dignity. The histories edifice continued to reverberates with rousing crowd and
sporting excitements that dominates the prestigious sport center, still vibrantly existing amid the City
ultra modern sky line. The stadium deservingly herald as the touch stone of almost all the famous, the
best and the greatest athletes the country ever own, above all the Rizal Memorial Stadium stands for
the legacy of service and sports excellence not only for Manilans but for all Filipinos.
 
  




 
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SPORTS COMPLEXES - 5

BASKETBALL COURTS ʹ COVERED COURT - 36

BASKETBALL COURTS ʹ OPEN COURT - 37

SWIMMING POOLS - 4

HANDBALL COURTS - 4

GATEBALL COURTS - 2+2

SOFTBALL FIELD - 1

PARAISO - 9+4

TENNIS COURT - 6
 
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Sports Complex - 1
1.? Tondo Sports Complex

Basketball Courts ʹ Covered Court - 10

1.? Maharlika I Basketball Court
2.? Vitas B. C. Tenement
3.? Bo. Fugoso Basketball Court
4.? Bo. Menu Basketball Court
5.? Genaro Basketball Court
6.? Wagas Basketball Court
7.? Tondo Sports Complex
8.? Maharlika II Basketball Court
9.? Zone 9 Basketball Court
10.?R.S.T.U. Basketball Court

Basketball Court ʹ Open Court - 10

1.? Francisco Varona Basketball Court
2.? Inocencio Basketball Court
3.? Paraiso Basketball Court
4.? Nepomuceno Basketball Court
5.? Asuncion ʹ Moriones Basketball Court
6.? Rodriguez Basketball Court
7.? I. Mercado Basketball Court
8.? Angustia Basketball Court
9.? Vitas Tenement Basketball Court
10.?NHA ʹ Samahang Magkakapitbahay Basketball Court ʹ New constructed

Swimming Pool - 1
1.? Tondo Swimming Pool ʹ Tondo Sports Complex

Paraiso - 3
1.? Vitas Playground
2.? Plaza Morga Playground ʹ New constructed
3.? NHA ʹ Samahang Magkakapitbahay ʹ New constructed

Gateball Courts - 1
1.? Plaza Morga ʹ Gateball Area ʹ New constructed
 
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Basketball Courts ʹ Covered Court - 5

1.? Patricia
2.? Cavite Basketball Court
3.? Old Torres Basketball Court
4.? Pamana Basketball Court
5.? Gapan Basketball Court

Basketball Court ʹ Open Court - 9

1.? Almeda Basketball Court
2.? Almeda ʹ Laguna Basketball Court
3.? Molave ʹ Batangas Basketball Court
4.? Maria Guizon Basketball Court
5.? Ipil-Cavite Basketball Court
6.? Raxa Bago Basketball Court
7.? Bo. Obrero Basketball Court
8.? Benita Basketball Court
9.? Torres-Bugallon Basketball Court

Handball Court - 2
1.? Pag-asa Handball Court
2.? Maria-Guizon Handball Court
3.?
Paraiso - 1
1.? Patricia

Tennis Court - 1
1.? Reigna Regente Tennis Court

Gateball Court - 1
1.? Patricia
 
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Sports Complex - 1
1.? Delpan Sports Complex

Basketball Courts ʹ Covered Court - 6

1.? Pampanga-Huertas Basketball Court
2.? Tecson-Natividad Basketball Court
3.? Rasac Basketball Court
4.? Delpan Sports Complex
5.? Del Paso Basketball Court
6.? Andalucia Playground

Basketball Court ʹ Open Court - 3

1.? M. Hizon (half court) Basketball Court
2.? Delpan Sports Complex
3.? Leonora-Rivera Basketball Court
Handball Court - 2
1.? Rasac Handball Court
2.? Leonora-Rivera Handball Court

Paraiso - 2
1.? Delpan Sports Complex
2.? Andalucia Playground

Tennis Court - 3
1.? Rasac Tennis Court
2.? Blumentritt Tennis Court
3.? Delpan Tennis Court
 
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Sports Complex - 1
1.? Sen. Arturo Tolentino Sports Complex (Dapitan Sports Complex)

Basketball Courts ʹ Covered Court - 3

1.? Sen. Arturo Tolentino Sports Complex (Dapitan Sports Complex)
2.? I. Delos Reyes Basketball Court
3.? Loreto Basketball Court

Basketball Court ʹ Open Court - 6

1.? Plaza Arellano
2.? Batanes Basketball Court
3.? Craig Basketball Court
4.? Cebu Basketball Court
5.? Leyte Basketball Court
6.? Calabash Basketball Court

Swimming Pool - 1
1.? Dapitan Swimming Pool

Tennis Courts - 1
1.? Dapitan Tennis Court