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Washington SyCip Park

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Coordinates: 14°33′14″N 121°01′05″E / 14.55387°N 121.01811°E / 14.55387; 121.01811
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14°33′14″N 121°01′05″E / 14.55387°N 121.01811°E / 14.55387; 121.01811

Washington Sycip Park
File:01washingtonsycipparksculpture.jpg
A sculpture by Impy Pilapil in the park.
Map
TypeUrban park
LocationLegaspi Village, Makati,
Philippines Philippines
Created2006
Operated byAyala Land
Makati Commercial Estate Association
StatusOpened

Washington Sycip Park is a public park near Greenbelt mall in Legaspi Village, Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines. The park opened in 2006, and was named after Filipino accountant and banker Washington SyCip.[1] In addition to many indigenous tropical trees and plants, the park contains gazebos, benches with quotes by Sycip, sculptures and a koi pond.

The park is open daily from 06:00 to 22:00 PST (GMT+8). It is a no-smoking, no pet zone.[2]

Location

Washington SyCip Park is rectangular in form, bounded by Legaspi Street to the north, Gamboa Street to the south, Rada Street to the west, and the Corinthian Plaza parking lot to the east. It is close to Greenbelt shopping centre, the Asian Institute of Management, and Union Church of Manila.

History

Washington SyCip Park was created in 2006 by Ayala Land. The park was presented to Sycip in June 2006 (his 85th birthday), in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the Philippine business community.

The park was developed jointly by Ayala Land Incorporated, the Makati Commercial Estate Association (MACEA), the City of Makati, Barangay San Lorenzo, and Washington Sycip's Sycip Gorres Velayo & Co., the largest accounting and consulting firm in the Philippines.[3] The headquarters of MACEA is located in the northern edge of the park.

Activities and attractions

  • Birding: Many birds have been spotted in Washington Sycip Park, including pied fantails and yellow vented bulbuls.[4]
  • Koi Pond: Water bodies with orange koi fish can be found in the park, possibly a tribute to Washington's Chinese origins.
  • Gazebos: The park contains two gazebos, each with seating space.
  • Music: The park contains a public address system with hidden wires and soothing music playing on them. People also play the flute mornings and evenings.

Art and architecture

A number of sculptures by Filipino sculptor and artist Impy Pilapil can be found in the park.[5] These include:

  • Wishing Stone - a wishing stone, with a twig quill and water reservoir, which people can write their wishes on.
  • Faith - an obelisk-like white, stone sculpture with a pointed edge aiming for the heavens.
  • Entry - a Stonehenge-style gate made of white stone.
  • Sungka - a traditional Filipino board game played with shells.
  • The Mangrove Nature Embrace - a colourful framework, with blue as the dominant colour, made of steel pipes.[6]
  • Stone turtles: - a Chinese symbol of long life, stone turtles can be found at the northern and southern entrances to the park.
  • Giant urns: - giant stone urns flank one gateway of the park, probably a throwback to Sycip’s childhood years in Shanghai. In his biography, Sycip recounted that similar huge jars were found in his family garden and he used to peek at the fish swimming inside them.[7]

Quotes

Many park benches have quotes by its namesake posted on them.[8] Some of the quotes, which can be found on park benches and the walls of its gazebos, include:

Our country can be criticized for so many things, but in the end, we must give back what we can.

Take it from someone who has been through a world war, 14 Philippine presidents, and countless board meetings all over the world: nothing can ever replace the loyalty of a grateful client.

If there is one and only one message I would like you all to remember for the rest of your lives, it is this: be a person of integrity!

Flora

Washington SyCip Park is home to a number of trees including eucalyptus, rubber and calachuchi. 100 plants from the San Roque watershed were planted in the park as part of conservation efforts.

Fauna

  • A gazebo at the Washington Sycip Park
    A gazebo at the Washington Sycip Park
  • The Koi pond
    The Koi pond
  • A Balete tree at the park
    A Balete tree at the park

See also

References

  1. ^ A walk in Washington Sycip park, Blog
  2. ^ Ten Manila parks to visit|Ten Manila parks to visit, article.
  3. ^ A walk in Washington Sycip park, (2012) Blog post, Chit's blog
  4. ^ Blog, Birds and plants of Washington SyCip park, 2013
  5. ^ Official website, Washington Sycip Park, Impy Pilapil, 2013
  6. ^ Sculpture, The Mangrove Nature Embrace, 2013, Impy Pilapil
  7. ^ Dalisay, Jose (2009). Wash : Only a book keeper - A biography. Manila: The SGV Foundation and the AIM Scientific Research Foundation.
  8. ^ In touch with nature, Blog, Republica Negrense, 2011
  9. ^ Stuart Exchange - Encyclopedia of Philippines Trees
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