Quezon City Travel Information
Brief Description | History
Famous Quezon City Places | How
to get there
Description
That Quezon City has been dubbed as the City of New Horizons
holds truth when it comes to culture and lifestyle the experience is fresh
and not quite what would be expected of the usual urban setting.
Fast becoming a famous landmark in the metropolis is
the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Nature Center, an experience of nature
within the city. Conveniently located at the heart of Quezon City, the
area was developed to simulate a natural forest setting and serve as a
breather from high-rise and concrete. Found here are about 38 species
of trees and shrubs, which are represented by 2,443 trees commonly found
in Philippine forests. Nature tripping tastes all the sweeter as there
is a grove, lagoon, rock garden, mini-zoo, craft village, and fishing
village, among others.
Diliman in Quezon City is home to the University of the
Philippines, the country’s foremost institute of higher learning
and considered the finest in the Far East. UP was established in June
1908, and is sprawled over an area of 450 hectares. The state-owned university
has produced many of the country’s best leaders, artists, writers,
and professionals. The city is likewise the home of Camps Crame and Aguinaldo,
two of the most important military headquarters where the famous four-day
peaceful rebellion called People Power or EDSA Revolution of 1986 had
started.
Holding court as the Cubao district’s focal point
is Araneta Coliseum, the world’s largest covered dome during the
1960s. Towering 220 feet and with a seating capacity of 32,000, it captured
the Philippines’ first post-war world boxing title by the legendary
Gabriel "Flash" Elorde. Araneta Coliseum has since staged world-famous
shows, from the classic "Fight of a Lifetime" between Mohammed
Ali and Joe Frasier in 1976 to beauty pageants, basketball tournaments,
musical concerts, athletic events.
Geography
Quezon City is 10 km. north of Manila. To the city's
east are San Mateo, Rizal and Marikina City; to the west are San Juan
and the city of Manila; to the north are Caloocan City and San Jose del
Monte, Bulacan; and to the south are the cities of Pasig and Mandaluyong.
Quezon City is five times bigger than Manila, and in area, it is second
to the country's biggest city, Davao City.
Rolling hills spread over a large portion of Quezon City.
Its lowest altitude is 25 feet above sea level while its highest is 55.
The city occupies a total land area of 166.2 square kilometers
Population
The total population was 1,989,419 as of the 1995 census.
Political Subdivision
Quezon City consists of 140 Barangays, which are subdivided
into fours Congressional districts. It has been classified as a Highly
Urbanized City.
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History
Quezon City wa conceived in a dream of an incomparable
man, the late Philippine President Manuel Luis Quezon. He envisioned a
place where the common man will find his place with dignity.
In 1938, President Quezon purchased 1,529 hectares from
the vast Diliman Estate of the Tuason Family. On the following year, the
National Assembly enacted the Commonwealth Act otherwise known as the
Charter of Quezon City. On October 12, 1939, President Quezon signed the
bill into law, thus, the city was born.
Progress in Quezon City continued until the outbreak of World War II
in 1941.
Seven years later, by virtue of Republic Act No. 333
signed on July 17, 1948, Quezon City officially became the capital of
the Philippines and the permanent seat of the national government. Its
inauguration as the capital city was marked by the laying of a cornerstone
for the Capitol Building at Constitution Hills on October 22, 1949. Subsequently,
the construction of government buildings began.
On June 16, 1950, the City Charter was revised by Republic
Act No. 537, which extended its boundaries to its present area of 15,359
hectares, five times bigger than the City of Manila. It lost its title
as the capital city to Manila by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 940
on June 24, 1976.
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Quezon City Is Famous For...
Quezon Memorial Circle/Shrine
The tallest structure in the city, Quezon Memorial Circle pierces 66 meters
to the sky, a fitting tribute to the founder of Quezon City and one of
the country's greatest statesmen, President Manuel Luis Quezon. The monument
which was built in the center of the 27-hectare rotunda park also boasts
a museum housing priceless Quezonian items plus the added attraction of
the remains of this great man laid to rest in a bronze casket and marble
niche.
Barrio Pugad Lawin Balintawak
It is a foremost Philippine historic site where the "Great Plebian"
and founder of KKK, a revolutionary society, Andres Bonifacio launched
the Philippine Revolution against the Spaniards in 1896. The uprising
was called the "Cry of Balintawak."
Barrio La Loma
It was in this barrio that the Filipinos first fought the Americans during
the Philippine-American War.
Quezon City Hall
It was in this imposing 14-storey edifice where the new Philippine Constitution
was signed in 1971. The building is the center of city government activities
and houses other national government agencies as well. Its location is
beautified by the refreshing view of a man-made lagoon.
Mabuhay Rotunda
Originally callled Welcome Rotunda, this towering structure which was
built in 1948 by City Architect Luciano V. Aquino serves as the gateway
to Quezon City from the neighboring city of Manila. This is where three
of Metro Manila's busiest roads meet: España Boulevard in Manila,
and Quezon Avenue and E. Rodriguez Avenue in Quezon City.
University of the Philippines
The state-owned University of the Philippines, which was established in
June 1908, is the country's foremost institute of higher learning and
considered the finest in the Far East. Sprawled over an area of 450 hectares,
the university provides a cool ambiance amidst tall and ancient trees
conducive to learning. Although a government entity, the university enjoys
its own charter of independence from government and other external agencies.
Its subsidy from the national government allows it to provide education
at a very minimal cost to most students and a totally free education to
the meritorious through an extensive scholarship program. Many of the
country's famous leaders, artists, writers, and professionals had been
in UP as students or teachers. It remains as the center for the fermentation
of ideas as well as for training in various fields of knowledge.
Araneta Coliseum
The world's largest covered dome during the 60s, Araneta Coliseum towers
220 feet and has a seating capacity of 32,000. It holds court as the district's
focal point. The coliseum has staged various shows from the moment it
captured the Philippines' first post-war world boxing title by the legendary
Gabriel "Flash" Elorde. It presented, too, the classic "Fight
of a Lifetime" between Mohammed Ali and Joe Frasier in 1976. Also
worth mentioning are the beauty pageants and basketball tournaments of
national and international tones plus local shows ranging from musical
concerts to athletic events.
Camps Crame and Aguinaldo
These are two of the most important military headquarters where the famous
four-day rebellion called People Power or EDSA Revolution of 1986 had
started.
Parks and Wildlife Bureau
Quezon City's very own zoological and botanical garden, situated near
the Quezon Memorial Circle, is a haven for young and old nature lovers.
The 80-hectare complex of wooden areas is replete with wildlife conducive
for picnicking and promenading. The park is also equipped with a children's
playground and a man-made lagoon for boating. Specimens of the country's
various flora and fauna, including the famous monkey-eating eagle, are
found here.
Araneta Center
Prior to the buiding of the Makati Commercial Center, the Araneta Center
served as the total shopping center for every Filipino. It is called the
city's business heart. At the center are all kinds of commercial establishments
such as theaters, banks, boutiques, department stores, restaurants, and
many more. Huge department stores in Cubao even offer special discounts
to tourists and balikbayans.
Tomas Morato and Timog Avenue Tourist Belt Area
Quezon City has its own tourist belt, found in the once quiet district
of Kamuning. Tomas Morato and Timog Avenues and a portion of Quezon Avenue
are now dotted with luxurious and exquisite restaurants, disco houses,
night clubs, sauna clinics, and other shops.
Fiesta Carnival Complex
Originally conceived for fun-loving children, the complex is situated
within the heart of the Araneta Center. The carnival offers merry rides
and sideshows at minimal prices.
La Mesa Dam Water Reservoir
It is the biggest water reservoir in Metropolis Manila. The dam supplies
the water needs of the National Capital Region residents.
Philippine Nuclear Research Institute
The white-domed and egg-shaped structure is considered as one of the most
advanced atomic research centers in Asia. It conducts experiments on the
uses of atomic energy.
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