Relaxing at Mandaue Bridge Park

Last Sunday, I went to the Mandaue Bridge Park after church.  I was happy to see families having a good time at the park.  Oh yes, the whole place was sprawling with people. 

I took particular notice of one family.  It seemed like it was only the mom who was there with the kids who ranked like the notes in a music piece.  Do re mi fa so… as they flanked their mother with a smile on their faces.  Mother was busy peeling camote for the youngest, and the four others chewed their own boiled sweet potato with gusto as their eyes glided back and forth to the children who were joyfully shrieking at the end of the park, towards the water edge. 

Some of the kids were accompanied by their parents as they jumped in ball-like fashion to the water.  The tide was high so it was deep enough to make a good jump.   

We brought our own lanzones to nibble as we enjoyed the breeze under the shade of a Talisay tree.  Here life seemed to take a different pace.  And I felt like I was given a special treat seeing how people spent their Sunday.  Life is simple.  I felt a particular tug at the base of my throat.  I was really glad to see people delighting in the park.

My friend who accompanied my husband and me asked if this was the same park our company was trying to develop with Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry.  I nodded.

He took note of the ordinary people who were splayed all over the greener portions of the park.  “Simple joys.”  He said and I agreed, missing the moments of sheer abandon where one would not think of work or responsibilities and just enjoy the fun of being free from serious thought.

“Are you not going to develop this park into something more high-end?”  he asked.

“High-end?” I parried.  Thinking how the park would look with an elite promenade.

“Yep.  Not massa.” was his rejoinder.

“High-end, yes.” I replied. “But massa.”

For why can’t the general public enjoy a good park?  One that looks like the beautiful parks we see in the pictures in glossy magazines.  Imagine how it will also affect them? Us, for, we are part of the massa.

Maybe by improving the look of a place, the people will also look different.  Still the same people, but possibly dressed differently.  More respectable, not bedraggled.More relaxed, and not cautious.  Since the place will be filled with people they can be safe with.

Now, don’t get me wrong when I mention their state of shabbiness.  But honestly, don’t you, wouldn’t you, even if you were poor not be scared if someone so unkempt would park beside your mat in a plaza and just for the sake of it sleep there where the wind is cool?  Even if that person is asleep, the fact that he may look sinister would get you worried and might urge you to move your pack to another end.

Being afraid of someone you “perceive” to be of ill will can affect the way you think and can rob you of the relaxation you sought in the first place.

I congratulate Mayor Mike Rama for converting Plaza Independencia into one beautiful public park.  It is a good and safe dating place.  Where friends and family meet for special bonding.If Cebu City could do it, why not Mandaue City?

The challenge remains.  And like Cebu City, Mandaue City has a concerned local government.    It has strong  public-private partnerships.   And the Mandaue community has this special culture of traditional family bonding that a park like the Mandaue Bridge Park can further cultivate.

To date, the park is not yet 10% close to achieving its vision.  But it is taking a great stride towards reaching that goal.

If you are a Mandauehanon, I challenge you to take part in developing the MandaueBridgePark, under the Marcelo Fernan Bridge (Mandaue City side).  If you want to know how to help, call Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry at 032-2368245 or 032-3423491 or check them out at www.mandauechamber.orgor www.mandauebusinessmonth.com.