Initially called 'Bagumbayan' (literally: "new town"), Luneta is so-called because of the half-moon shape of the park situated in front of Manila Bay. Back in the day the original park was the area where the Rizal Tomb & Monument (near the very spot where National Hero Dr. José P. Rizal was shot by a Spanish colonial firing squad) now stands ... Anything fronting the monument right now like Roxas (formerly "Dewey") Boulevard is basically reclaimed land area added during the US Commonwealth 'Manifest Destiny' ek ek Period ... :-p

The park is popular with families and tourists who like to jog, have a picnic, and basically enjoy the sights and sounds. The famous Manila Bay sunset is not to be missed and is best enjoyed while relaxing along the boardwalk seawall or if you're lucky while getting a good table at the Seafood Restaurant located just behind the Luneta Grandstand.

This is also the place where Pope John Paul II achieved a world record for the "The Largest Papal Audience" back in January 1995 during his farewell and closing mass for the 10th World Youth Day celebrations held in the Philippines that year - yep, all 4 million + of them (including yours truly)! ;-)

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I highly recommend that you view the award-winning "José Rizal" movie (in Tagalog, with English subtitles) as directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Rizal_(film) to learn more about the man behind the park and monument.