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QUEZON CITY TRAVEL INFORMATION

Where to Stay in Quezon City | Brief Description | History
Famous Quezon City Places

Quezon City - City Of New Horizons

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 200 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 200 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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Where to Stay in Quezon City | Brief Description | History
Famous Quezon City Places