Agrifina Circle Explained

Country:PHL
Type:Traffic circle
Agrifina Circle
Other Names:Teodoro F. Valencia Circle
Location:Rizal Park, Ermita, Manila, Philippines
Maint:Department of Public Works and Highways - South Manila District Engineering Office[1]
Roads:General Luna Street
Minor roads inside Rizal Park
Header Type:historic

The Agrifina Circle, officially the Teodoro F. Valencia Circle, is a traffic circle within the eastern portion of Rizal Park in Manila, the Philippines.[2] It has a diameter of 42m (138feet).

Etymology

The name "Agrifina" is a portmanteau of the words "Agriculture" and "Finance" since two neoclassical buildings located on opposite ends of the circle formerly housed the Departments of Agriculture and Finance. The former building of the Department of Finance formerly housed the Department of Tourism until 2015, when the building was vacated to make way for the new National Museum of Natural History.

The circle was officially renamed to Teodoro F. Valencia Circle on January 5, 1990, through Republic Act No. 6836,[3] after the former head of the National Parks Development Committee who initiated and maintained the Rizal Park's beautification.[4] [5]

History

The Agrifina Circle was intended to be a grand civic plaza surrounded by the planned Capitol Building and five wedge-shaped buildings, which included the Finance and Agriculture Buildings, according to the Burnham Plan of Manila by American architect Daniel Burnham.[6]

After World War II, when it was decided that the capital of the Philippines was to be moved to Quezon City, the then-plaza was converted into a roundabout. Vehicular traffic was allowed on the road until the late 1960s, when Rizal Park was consolidated and most roads going through the park were pedestrianized. A globe fountain and skating rink were installed on the central island.[7]

There were plans to construct Luneta Tower, a 390sp=usNaNsp=us observation tower, at the Agrifina Circle for the Centennial Celebration of Philippine Independence in 1998. The decision to build the tower at the site, however, was controversial, and the plan was eventually shelved.

In 1998, the Binhi ng Kalayaan Monument replaced the fountain, but the skating rink remained.[2] The monument was later moved to a barren area of Rizal Park in 2004 and was replaced by the Statue of the Sentinel of Freedom, a monument dedicated to Lapulapu.

Layout

Location of buildings and features along the Agrifina Circle
align=center colspan=5Eastern side
Taft Avenue
align=center align=centerBinhi ng
Kalayaan Garden

Relief map of the Philippines (demolished)

Children's Park
RoadAgrifina CircleGeneral Luna Street
align=center
National Museum of Anthropology
align=center
Sentinel of Freedom (under restoration)
align=center
National Museum of Natural History
RoadAgrifina CircleRoad

Orchidarium

Bisig Marker
National Parks
Development Committee
Compound
Maria Y. Orosa Street
Rest of Rizal Park
align=center colspan=5Western side
align=center colspan=5Note: (*) Footpath

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Road and Bridge Inventory. Department of Public Works and Highways. July 20, 2022.
  2. News: Aning. Jerome. Rivera. Blanche. Blast rocks Rizal Park. Philippine Daily Inquirer. July 29, 2016. May 7, 2000.
  3. RA. 6836. An Act Changing the Name of the Agrifina Circle, a Circular Road Near the Luneta Park in the City of Manila, Teodoro F. Valencia Circle. July 29, 2016. January 5, 1990. Chan Robles Virtual Law Library.
  4. News: Vatican City can fit in Rizal Park. Jerome. Aning. Inquirer.net. January 1, 2012. June 18, 2022.
  5. News: [The Slingshot] When heritage’s wrecking ball comes from the National Museum]. Antonio II. Montalvan. June 7, 2023. October 26, 2023. Rappler.
  6. Web site: The Evolution of Manila. Malacañan Palace Presidential Museum and Library. February 8, 2022. June 28, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150628171857/http://malacanang.gov.ph/75830-the-evolution-of-manila/. dead.
  7. News: Alcazaren. Paulo. Rotundas: Circles of urban life. July 29, 2016. City Sense. The Philippine Star. July 14, 2001.