Freedom Park: A Colorful Past and Present

Souvenirs and flowers are what you seek? Freedom Park is what you need!

A park located in the heart of Cebu City, the place boasts lots of items ranging from dry good to souvenirs and furniture. Open to the public since the American Period, there’s no specific time and date as to when this location was inaugurated but nevertheless, the site has seen lots of action since then.

Freedom Park is part of the Carbon Market, a bazaar known for its varieties of stores and products. It is also famous for the cheapness of the products. This is where most locals with a specific budget go to.

What street is it?

Here are the buildings and streets that surround Freedom Park:

North Side – E. Labucay Bldg. on Calderon Street

South Side- Cebu Bionic Builders Supply Bldg. on Escano Street

West Side – Carmel Parish Church and San Jose Recoletos University on Magallanes Street

South Side – El Filibusterismo St.

How to get there?

The easiest way, especially for foreigners, is by taxi. But for most of us Filipinos, we take the jeepney. However, the jeepney we take depends on where we are. Sometimes, we take only one jeepney ride to go there, others take two. With different routes taken by the jeepneys, there’s always a choice for customers.

A little history please?

Used to called Plaza Washington, this open field (before it became what it is today) was the training ground for American Military Troops during the American Period. This was where drills and inspections were held during the American Period.

Freedom Park wasn’t just the training ground for troops, it was also where religious sectors congregate back then. From the name itself, the call for freedom was witnessed here. Freedom in all aspects was seen here. There were students demonstrating their right to freedom of expression and religious servants professing the word and wisdom of God to the public during those times. During that time too, pine trees surrounded the place, now there is none to see.

Around 1960s, the place shifted from a park to a market place. And up until now, the turnover of stall owners, changes in the decorations and the reconstruction of the place are the only difference present.

What’s inside? What can I find?

Freedom Park is divided by sections, so as a salesperson, a specific location or section is set up for them and their future colleagues.

The sections are: native section for Filipino souvenir products; flower section presents various types of flower arrangements for any occasion; dry goods of all sorts are also here; carenderia or food stalls are also available for customers convenience; herbal section, an element of Filipinos medicinal care, is never forgotten here; and furniture section provides an assortment of decorations for your homes.

Reminder!

An array of affordable and cool items are found in this side of Cebu but please be aware of the dangers of going there alone. Here are a few reminders for the readers who are interested in going there: (1) Always bring someone with you when you visit that place. To avoid tricks from crooks! (2) Keep valuables at home. Do not bring your jewelries. If you want to take pictures of the place, be sure to fully hold your camera at all times and be aware of your surroundings. (3) Be aware of your surroundings. This includes the care of your bags. Bring enough money, not too much and not too little. Lastly, (4) Do not stray to far. You do not know the place so well, so be careful. And make sure that the person you are with is a Filipino and a friend.

Do not fret! These are friendly reminders to avoid unwanted accidents. Just stay safe and have fun cruising Freedom Park! The beautiful souvenirs and flowers are waiting for you.

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