***

Last Sunday, I took another step toward healing my memories. I went to mass for the first time at the Paco Park chapel where almost forty years ago, Hubby and I swore to love each other "in sickness and in health, in good time and bad times, till death do us part."

We were the first couple to be married there because previous to our rites, the chapel was not under San Marcelino parish and no weddings were allowed inside the chapel. The chapel is now under the parish and is now a favorite venue for wedding and anniversaries masses. Twenty five years later, we also celebrated our silver anniversary mass there.

Paco Park chapel was our favorite venue for Sunday masses while the kids were growing up, especially when we moved from his parents’ home in Broadway in Quezon City, to Paco where I was born and grew up. Hubby understood how attached I was to our old house and how I wanted to live with mother since she was alone so we stayed in the unglamorous neighborhood of Paco (where I still live). The four children could frolic around the park to their hearts’ content safely, under the eagle-eyes of yaya Popins.

***

Anyway, last Sunday, the driver has his day off, my son David had a date somewhere, AJ was teaching at the PCCI that day, and so by my lonesome, I walked over.

It used to be a good leisurely walk of about ten minutes but last Sunday, it was a nightmare of open manholes and garbage. Where was mayor Lito Atienza’s "Buhayin ang Maynila?" I had to walk on the street to avoid falling in the big cracks or extensions of restaurants and homes on whatever sidewalks there were left.

I also had to duck constantly so as not to bump my head on protruding air condition units, signs and what- nots on Gen. Luna street where there is a semblance of a sidewalk. Before I got to the park, I was feeling desperate and angry as a tax-payer already. When I saw the park’s newly-painted white grilled gates with gold adornments (honest!) my worst fears about the state of my favorite park where confirmed! Paco Park is but a ghost of its old self!

Then when I took a walk in its outer walls while waiting for mass to begin I saw for myself how unkempt the place was despite it being a historical shrine.

The official reason for the neglect is the same old refrain- "No funds." However, the rent of the place for receptions, and there are many throughout the year, does not go to the park’s maintenance but to the general coffers of government. Isn’t this being shortsighted?

The park could be better maintained if it had its own funds from renting out the garden. The park could also used a marshal who could supervise the place more diligently as befits a park and a historical shrine!

***

The little courtyards within the outer walls are full of debris and garbage, including the burial place for infants. Even the national hero, Jose P. Rizal’s secret tomb looked forlorn and dirty that morning. There were a few foreign tourists wandering around and I can imagine how disgusted they were about the park’s condition.

There was no one they could ask about the historical significance of the park! Signs have been vandalized as well as its thick ancient walls.

And yet the Paco Park is a lovely, romantic and historical place which can be revived and beautified. The big trees that are still existing should be protected and the park could easily be restored.

I think the park ought to merit the attention of the Tourism department folks, even if it is technically under the National Parks Office as it can be a "must destination" for local and foreign tourists.

***

I survived mass inside the chapel despite the flood of memories – happy, funny ones – in that one hour. Then I walked home again, feeling Hubby all around me as I walked past the unopened fountain full of leaves and debris and the children playing in the sun.

***

Tomorrow is First Friday and the day after, First Saturday. Those with devotions to the Sacred Heart and Mama Mary, take note, please. See you in Lipa for the 6 a.m. mass. Our birthday celebrant is Dr. Nellie Acosta.

And Today’s "Dee’s Day" on channel 9 at 12:30 p.m. will feature Manila mayor Lito Atienza. The replay will be tomorrow at 8 a.m.