On weekends, the scene is picture-perfect: joggers tracing paths around a lagoon, children racing through play areas, families enjoying picnics under the shade of trees. But beneath this lively community park lies something unexpected—a 3.7-million-gallon flood control system that keeps nearby streets dry during heavy rains.
The Capital Town Rainwater Park, a two-hectare green space inside Megaworld's 35.6-hectare township, is redefining what urban infrastructure can look like . It proves that a park doesn't have to choose between being beautiful and being useful. During dry months, it welcomes around 200,000 visitors with landscaped gardens, a man-made lagoon, a mini football field, and an amphitheater . When typhoons hit, it transforms into a catchment basin that protects the surrounding community.
From Waist-Deep Floods to a Flood-Free Community
Before Megaworld began developing Capital Town, the area had a serious flooding problem. Kevin Tan, CEO of Alliance Global Group, recalls that when it rained, floodwaters would rise to waist level and take an entire week to subside . Rather than simply building on higher ground, the developer integrated the flood solution directly into the township's design.
The park's retention facility holds up to 3.7 million gallons of water—roughly the equivalent of six Olympic-sized swimming pools . Box culverts throughout the city channel stormwater directly into the park. When the rain stops, the system slowly releases the water into the nearby Santo Niño Creek, preventing downstream flooding while allowing the park to drain naturally. Tan confirmed that since the park became operational, the area around Capital Town no longer experiences flooding.
A Wellness Destination That Draws 200,000 Monthly Visitors
On any given weekend, the Rainwater Park hums with activity. Tourism Officer Ching Pangilinan, featured in GMA's "Sparkle Under the Sun" segment with actress Mika Salamanca, described the park as a true wellness space . "Maraming mga nagwo-walking at saka tumatakbo dito. Then, maraming na rin mga nag-yo-yoga. Different activities that can be enjoyed by families are done during weekends," she explained .
The park's amenities go far beyond typical jogging paths. Visitors can enjoy a man-made lagoon with water fountains, a mini football field, a children's playground, a belvedere, an amphitheater for events, and even a mini train that takes families around the entire two-hectare property . Since opening in May 2025, the park has attracted approximately 200,000 visitors every month, making it a major tourist attraction in Pampanga's capital city.
A Blueprint for Climate-Smart Cities Across the Philippines
The success of the Rainwater Park has not gone unnoticed. Megaworld plans to replicate this model in its upcoming townships, particularly in flood-prone areas like Marilao and Bocaue in Bulacan, as well as developments in Cavite and other regions where flooding is a concern . Kevin Tan emphasized that this design philosophy—turning essential infrastructure into community assets—is now a standard part of how Megaworld approaches township development.
Eugene Lozano, senior vice president for sales and marketing of Megaworld Pampanga, noted that the park "fulfills a higher purpose beyond just being a facility that brings together the entire community" . By integrating ecological resilience with social vitality, the Rainwater Park demonstrates that cities don't have to choose between climate adaptation and quality of life. For San Fernando, that choice never had to be made—the park delivers both.
