The new 'proposal' place in town glows like a diamond

There's a new place in town that has a ring to it—the picturesque esplanade of the Pasig River. At night, it glows like a diamond with a myriad of wrought-iron lampposts illuminating the river. The Binondo-Intramuros Bridge serves as a focal point in the background.

- JOANNE RAE M. RAMIREZ

And, according to no less than President Marcos, who inaugurated Phase 3 of "Pasig Bigyang Buhay Muli," recently, the esplanade has become a favorite spot for wedding proposals.

"Balitang-balita na ang dami talagang nagpo-propose dahil napaka-romantic daw ng venue," President Marcos, deviating from his prepared speech, said during the inauguration, which was also attended by First Lady Liza Marcos and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Jerry Acuzar.

The winding red-tiled esplanade along the Manila's main artery, lined by curvy balusters and graceful lampposts, evokes memories of the Seine in Paris and the Vltava in Prague, even if the lampposts are reproductions. Eventually, they will grow old anyway. The esplanade stretches from Jones Bridge to near the end of the Manila Post Office. The Binondo-Intramuros Bridge is another attraction along the way.

"When I walked along, Secretary Jerry pushed out all kinds of statistics—500,000 came for Chinese New Year. Daily, so many people come and they enjoy the palisade, they enjoy the walkway," the President continued. "The only statistic that I've been looking for that no one can tell me, is, how many people have proposed in the walkway and have become betrothed or have eventually gotten married."

"I was happy and a little surprised to know that the esplanade has become an instant hit among Gen Zs and some Gen Alphas who use it as a backdrop for IG stories and for TikTok," he added. He quipped that he himself would post a photo of the esplanade on his official Facebook page.