Quezon Memorial Circle
The Quezon Memorial Circle is a national park and shrine in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines.
Understand
The site of the Quezon Memorial Circle had been intended for the National Capitol to house the Congress of the Philippines. While foundation works for the structures were laid in 1940, construction was interrupted by the onset of the World War II. After the war, Philippine President Sergio Osmeña issued Executive Order No. 79 stipulating the creation of a Quezon Memorial Committee to raise funds by public subscription to erect a memorial to his predecessor, President Manuel L. Quezon. In 1951 a competition for the Quezon Memorial project was conducted where architect Federico S. Ilustre's design was selected as the winner. The monument designed by Illustre which serves as the centerpiece of the park and houses the remains of President Quezon and his wife.
The Quezon Memorial Circle except the monument area is managed by the city government since 2008. The monument is under the jurisdiction of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines since 1972. Before 2008 but not before the People Power Revolution, the park area except the monument area is managed by the Quezon City Parks Development Foundation.
The park is a family-friendly attraction of the city. For the adventerous and thrill-seekers, there is a small amusement park in the area as well as rental bicycles, and zip lining. The traditional park-lovers, green spaces provides picnic areas and smaller gardens provides some are which are secluded. There are several museums within the park as well as dining stalls and outlets.
Get in
By foot
For those who wish to access the park by foot, there are no pedestrian lanes for pedestrians to cross the Elliptical Road which encircles the park. It is very dangerous to cross the road. There are two underpasses present which provides a safe passage for pedestrians, one located in front of the Quezon City Hall and another in front of the Philippine Coconut Authority (Philcoa) Building at the Commonwealth Avenue intersection. Elevators are present at the Quezon City Hall underpass for the benefit of senior citizens and people with disabilities. As of August 2016, the Philcoa underpass is under renovation but is still open and passable.
By rail
Quezon Memorial Circle is accessible from the Quezon Avenue and GMA-Kamuning Stations of the Manila Metro Rail Transit System Line 3 (Line 3) and Anonas Station of the Manila Light Rail Transit System Line 2 (Line 2). From there are jeepneys that have routes passing by the park. A station for the future Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (Line 7) is being built to the northwest, but will not open until around 2020 or 2021.
By jeepney
From Line 2 Anonas Station, board a jeepney at Molave Street en route to the Philcoa or Quezon Memorial Circle. From Line 3 Kamuning Station, walk towards Timog Avenue-East Avenue intersection then board a jeepney en route to Philcoa or Quezon Memorial Circle. From Line 3 Quezon Avenue Station, board a jeepney en route to Philcoa or Fairview. From Manila proper, one can board a jeepney along Espana Boulevard en route to Fairview, Quezon Memorial Circle and Philcoa. Ask the jeepney driver to drop you at the Philcoa jeepney terminal and cross the footbridge to access the Philcoa underpass, or you could ask the drive to drop you by on the jeepney terminal in front of the National Housing Authority and proceed to the underpass directly in front of the Quezon City Hall.
By taxi
From most points in Metro Manila, Taxi drivers will agree to take you to the park. The taxi driver will likely drop you by the main entrance facing the Commonwealth Avenue.
By car
Visitors could access the park two entrances, the one near the food complex just before the East Avenue section and the other through the main entrance facing the Commonwealth Avenue. The park also has a physical entrance at the North Avenue intersection but is closed to the public.
Fees and permits
There are no fees to enter the Quezon Memorial Circle itself for people not bringing in their own vehicles. Parking fees are charged for visitors parking the vehicles inside the park premises. Some attractions within the park may charge additional fees.
Get around
The primary mode of transport inside the park is by foot. There are roads inside the park that is open for private vehicles but the road surrounding the Quezon Memorial Shrine and the area around the dancing fountain is off-limits to vehicles.
See
Monuments and markers
- 1 Quezon Memorial Shrine. The main attraction of the Quezon Memorial Circle. The Art-Deco monument which is adorned by mourning angels on each of its three pillars is a national shrine dedicated to the late President Manuel L. Quezon. Embedded artworks are also decorates the base of the shrine. At night the monument is illuminated with lights that gradually shifts its colors.
- According to the book Arkitekturang Filipino: A History of Architecture and Urbanism in the Philippines by Gerard Lico, the monument also houses an observation deck at top of the monument but this feature is not accessible to the public.
- 2 Dancing Fountains. The centerpiece of the Liwasang Aurora. It is illuminated at light with moving water features accompanied by music.
- 3 Liwasang Aurora. A circular paved plaza decorated in a style of a compass rose. Along with the adjacent stage, the Liwasang Aurora serves as the venue for various events such as concerts held at the Quezon Memorial Circle.
- 4 World Peace Bell. The World Peace Bell, housed in a gazebo, is a donation by the World Peace Bell Association, a Japanese organization promoting awareness on the world peace movement. It was inaugurated in 1994. The World Peace Bell grounds also has other features such as the Peace Wall, a mural and flag poles with names countries at its base (Although flags are no longer hoisted). The grounds is also the location of the Agong of Peace dedicated to the Bangsamoro Peace Process although it is badly damaged as of 2016. As of late-August 2016, the Peace Bell Area is under renovation and is closed to visitors.
- 5 Peace Monument. A marker erected to mark Quezon City as a Rotary Peace Community as part of the "Community Peace Cities/Towns" concept conceived by the Rotary Club of Wagga Wagga, Australia.
Museums
- 6 Museo ni Manuel Quezon (Manuel Quezon Museum). A museum at the triangular base of the Quezon Memorial Shrine, dedicated to the political career of President Quezon. The remains of President Quezon is situated inside a marble sarcophagus inside the museum. His wife Aurora Quezon is also interred at the site.
- 7 Quezon City Experience (QCX). Focuses on the history of Quezon City. The interactive museum is divided into multiple pod buildings which were designed to be green building compliant.
- 8 Quezon Heritage House. 9AM-4PM (Tue-Sun). A historic house museum which used to be the house of the family of President Manuel L. Quezon and was at 45 Gilmore Street in New Manila, Quezon City. The museum focuses on the personal life of Quezon in contrast to the Museo ni Manuel L. Quezon which focuses on Quezon's political career.
- 9 President Corazon Aquino House. A museum dedicated to President Corazon Aquino. Under-construction is scheduled to be completed in early 2017.
Gardens
- 10 Hardin ng mga Bulaklak (Flower Garden). The Hardin ng mga Bulaklak is a flower garden which is a project of the city government, the Succulent and Cactus Society of the Philippines, and the Philippine Horticultural Society. It features various indigenous flowers and is often a location of gardening and flower shows by various gardening societies of the country.
- 11 Tropical Garden. Garden featuring tropical plants which was inaugurated in October 2012. It features a small pond as well and is another venue for gardening and flower shows.
- 12 Joys of Urban Farming. The urban farm where vegetables are planted in the park is part of Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte urban farming project, "Joys of Urban Farming". A custodian is available within the farm's premises where visitors could learn about growing crops at their own backyard.
- 13 Charito L. Planas Garden. A small fenced garden dedicated to Quezon City Parks Development Foundation head, Charito L. Planas who was responsible for the rehabilitation of the park in the early 2000s.
- 14 Fern Garden. A garden dedicated to ferns, however as of 2016, only a few ferns are present at the garden. Nevertheless, the garden provides a secluded place for park visitors that prefers a quieter place.
- 15 Cactus Garden. In a secluded area behind the Hardin ng mga Bulaklak, the Cactus Garden features cactuses and succulents of various types and sizes some almost as tall as a human. It also has a greenhouse but is usually off-limits to visitors.
Do
Attractions
- 1 Quezon City Memorial Circle Zipline. 8AM-9PM. For the adventurous and definitely not for the faint-hearted. Zipline from a height equivalent to about four-stories. The path of the zipline crosses the Pedal N' Paddle Pond. One Zipline station is near the Children's Playground and the other near the Joy of Urban Farming. ₱100 (one way) ₱150 (two way); Senior Citizen rates ₱80 (one way), ₱130 (two way).
- 2 Circle of Joy (Children's Playground). A children's playground within the park. The playground features various slides and other attractions such seesaws. The grounds are either covered in concrete or artificial grass which reduces the likelihood of little kids from getting dirty while still having fun.
- 3 Circle of Fun. An amusement park within the park. It features various attractions and rides such as the "Fun Drop" a drop tower ride and the "Sea Dragon", a pirate ship type of amusement ride. ₱30 entrance fee (except children below 3 feet (91 cm) and senior citizens).
- 4 QMC Bicycle Rental. Bicycles and bicycles with side cars can be rented from a station located near the Children's Playground. The use of the rented vehicles are only for a bicycle track which circles around the Children's Playground.
- 5 Pedal N' Paddle. A amusement space featuring bicycle and pedal-powered-boat rentals. ₱20 entrance fee.
Other activities
- Pokemon Go. A suitable place for players due to many Poke-stops within the park's premises, although the use of mobile data is highly recommended since the public Wi-Fi is unreliable.
Buy
Several gardening shops are found inside the park particularly behind the Children's Playground area and along the road between the Circle of Fun and Joys of Urban Farming.
There is also a Tiangge or Flea Market in the area between the Philcoa entrance and the Liwasang Aurora, open in the afternoon and evening. Likewise, stalls are also present near in the Children's Playground area.
Eat
- 1 Tropical Hut, ☏ +63 (02) 755-8000. A good place to order burgers. Other food such as chicken and sundaes are also available at this fast-food restaurant.
- 2 Max's Restaurant, ☏ +63 (02) 924-3392, +63 (02) 924-3399. 7AM-9:30 PM (Mon-Fri). A Filipino restaurant popular for its chicken.
- 3 New Kamameshi House. A Japanese restaurant which offers an array of sushi as well as yosenabe or Japanese hot pot. ₱100-500.
Drink
Sleep
Connect
There is a free Wi-Fi service inside the park which is a project of the Department of Science and Technology. However in August 2016, Free Wi-Fi is reportedly non-operational.