Bagumbayan

Bagumbayan is a toponym used in the Philippines. The name derives from Filipino roots meaning “new town” or “new settlement,” a common descriptor in several localities established during Spanish or early American periods.

The most historically notable Bagumbayan refers to a district in Manila that, during the Spanish colonial era, served as a site of executions. The area is today known as Rizal Park (Luneta), a major public park and national monument located in western Manila. The park is closely associated with the execution of the Philippine nationalist José Rizal in 1896, an event that has anchored the name Bagumbayan in historical memory even as the area was renamed and redeveloped.

Beyond Manila, Bagumbayan is used as a place name in various parts of the country. Across the Philippines, there are several barangays and municipalities that bear the name, reflecting its meaning and historical use as a descriptor for new settlements. Because it is a relatively common toponym, Bagumbayan can refer to multiple localities rather than a single, continuous place.

In summary, Bagumbayan signifies a “new town” in Filipino and is most famously linked to the area of Rizal Park in Manila, while also serving as a generic geographical name applied to other localities throughout the Philippines.