Quezon City is the largest city by area in Metro Manila, and also considered to be the most populous city in the country (2012 estimate is 3,179,536 people, with a 2.92% annual growth rate.). Quezon City takes its name after Manuel L. Quezon, the second President of the Philippines, who founded the city and developed it to replace the City of Manila as the national capital from 1948 to 1976.
Many, if not most, of the metro's residents are familiar with the commercially-strong city. After all, Quezon City houses iconic government offices, educational institutions, and commercial establishments. Landmarks here include Balintawak (exit to North Luzon Expressway), Batasang Pambansa Complex, EDSA Shrine, University of the Philippines Diliman, Ateneo de Manila University, Camp Aguinaldo, SM North Edsa, TriNoma, and the Araneta Center.
But not everyone who lives and visits QC know the city through and through. Below is a list of ten fun and interesting facts about Quezon City. We bet even QC residents don't know some of these things about their city.
1. A saint lived and founded a church in Quezon City
Catholics in this country know about Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino saint who was born in the Philippines and died a martyr in Japan. Some people will also recall that Pope, now Saint, John Paul II officiated a mass in Quezon Memorial Circle in 1981. It would be interesting to note that Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, who is just a miracle away from becoming a saint, was also present in the same gathering.
But not many know about the other saint who lived and founded a church in the Philippines, more specifically in Quezon City.
Spanish Franciscan priest and missionary Pedro Bautista y Belasquez arrived in the Philippines in 1584. A talented musician, Pedro Bautista taught music and instrument-making to native Filipinos. He is credited as Philippines’ first music teacher and the one who discovered the medicinal properties of Laguna hot springs.
In 1590, seven years before his martyrdom and death in Japan, Pedro Bautista founded a church in San Franciso Del Monte—which was then a hilly, secluded place, surrounded by creeks and lush forests. The still-standing church, considered as the second oldest church in the Philippines, has a cave right below the old altar. This brings us to our next point on …
2. Why Retiro Street is called Retiro
Retiro, in Spanish, means resting place or retreat. Retiro Street, now N.S. Amoranto Street, leads directly to the church’s cave where priests spent days in reflection before leaving the country for mission.
The cave is still open for those seeking retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city. It’s now a lot smaller though because the parish decided to seal off the cave's passageway, which used to attract treasure hunters.
To see the cave for yourself and learn more about the church’s fascinating history, you may visit Santuario de San Perdro Bautista at 69 San Pedro Bautista St., San Francisco del Monte, Quezon City.
3. Tandang Sora is so awesome, an entire Quezon City district and a street in California USA are named after her
History books told us about Melchora Aquino, a.k.a. Tandang Sora, and her role in the Katipunan. We all know that her advanced age did not stop her from supporting the revolution by providing food, shelter, medicine, and comfort to the Katipuneros.
The books didn’t tell us though that she’s quite a looker when she was young. Standing at 5’8” tall, Melchora was always elected to play Reyna Elena during Flores de Mayo. Her towering height and beautiful face won the heart of a Cabeza de Barangay who she eventually married. She was left a single parent of six when her husband died a few years after their youngest child was born. This did not stop her from giving each child good education. Not only was she a kickass revolutionary granny, she was also a barrio queen and a super mom to her children.
In recognition of Tandang Sora’s heroism, an entire Quezon City district and even a street in San Francisco, California, USA are named after her. The Quezon City government also built her a Tandang Sora National Shrine in Banlat, Quezon City, where she was born, raised, married, and died. Here, visitors can learn more about her life by viewing the gallery and interviewing her descendant, Jacinto “Joker” Ramos Francisco, Jr. The shrine is open to walk-in vistors.
How to get there: Ride an NPC-bound jeep from Trinoma. Alight at Napocor, walk or ride a tricycle to Tandang Sora Shrine.
4. EDSA’s old names
Epifanio delos Santos Avenue, or EDSA to many, is the main thoroughfare that connects the northern and southern cities of Metro Manila. While EDSA traverses a large portion of Quezon City from Balintawak to Cubao, many of the QC residents who are among its daily users have no idea what EDSA’s original name is.
EDSA, originally planned as North-South Circumferential Road, was constructed during Manuel Quezon’s presidential term. After the country’s 1946 independence, EDSA was called Avenida de 19 Junio or Hunyo Disinwebe to commemorate Rizal’s birthday. In the 1950s, it was renamed to Highway 54, not because it is 54 kilometers long (it is only 23.8 kilometers long), but because it was constructed by the 54th Army Engineering Brigade. Not a decade after, the late president Cory Aquino’s uncle Rizal Rep. Juan Francisco Sumulong pushed for the renaming of the highway after a fellow Rizaleño: the scholar, journalist and historian Epifanio delos Santos. The bill was passed as Republic Act 2140, hence he name EDSA we all know today.
5. Technically, it’s Manuel M. Quezon
The full name of the President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines and founder of Quezon City is Manuel Luis Quezón y Molina. Technically, his middle initial should be M. and not L. as what we’re all used to say. But then again, he signed his name during the American occupation of the Philippines. Americans, as most of us may know, use their second names, not their mother’s maiden surname, for their middle initial. But just so you know, Molina, and not Luis, is his mother’s surname.
6. Quezon Heritage House
Just a few steps away from the restaurant hub inside Quezon Memorial Circle is the late President Quezon's Heritage House. The two-storey stone structure was transplanted from its original address in 45 Gilmore St., Quezon City.
Here, vistors will find the preserved furniture and personal artifacts of the Quezon Family, including beds, windows, plant boxes, sculptures, and clothing. Other interesting items include President Quezon's suit, Doña Aurora's budget log, and the report cards of Quezon's daughter.
Quezon Heritage House is open for public from Tuesday to Sunday, 9 AM to 4 PM.
7. Why Quezon Memorial Circle's pylon 66 meters high
A Quezon City landmark, the Quezon Memorial houses the remains of President Manuel Quezon and his wife Doña Aurora. The iconic pylon at the middle of the circle is 66 meters high to represent Manuel Quezon's age when he died from tuberculosis. The top is guarded by three angels, which is a symbol for Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
8. Consult an agriculturist about organic farming for free
Just a few steps away from the main memorial area inside the QC Circle is the Joy of Urban Farming garden. In this organic garden, one may consult Mr. Raul Norbe, an agriculturist about the ABCs of gardening, urban farming, and the importance of eating organic produce. He is available for consultation from Mondays to Fridays.
Contact Mr. Raul Norbe through mobile: 0919-693-52-31.
9. Why Tomas Morato's capillary roads are named after scouts (Scout Borromeo, Scout Castor, Scout Lozano, et cetera)
On July 28, 1963, twenty-four boy scouts– all Philippine delegates– died on a plane crash en route to the 11th World Boy Scout's Jamboree in Greece. The faces and figures of the 24 boy scouts are sculpted on the Rotonda monument. The names of the Filipino Scouts also became street names in Diliman, Quezon City's Barangay Obrero, Laging Handa, South Triangle, Roxas and Paligsahan.
10. What's up with QC street names like Maginhawa, Matalino, Masipag, and Matahimik?
A tract of land bounded by East Avenue, Kamias Road, and Elliptical Road was designated as Teachers Village. The streets within are named after moral values and virtues of ideal teachers like Matalino, Magalang, Masipag, Magiting, Mabait, Mahabagin, Masambahin, and Malumanay. But don't ask us why there are streets named Malihim, Mapang-akit, and Maalindog. We'd rather not know.
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This October 12, 2014, Quezon City will celebrate its 75th year of cityhood with colorful celebrations.
A Grand Diamond Salubong will be held on Oct. 11 to officially usher the 75th founding anniversary of the city. Marchers and dancers from each of the six districts will entertain the crowd as they go all-out in the friendly competitions, along with concerts, street parties, and fireworks display at various locations in QC (At Quezon Memorial Circle; at District 1: Roosevelt-Del Monte; at District 2: Sandigan Bayan; at District 3: Araneta and Anonas; at District 4: Maginhawa St. and Tomas Morato; at District 5: Quirino Highway and at District 6: Mindanao Avenue).
Simultaneous with the Grand Diamond Salubong on Oct. 11 will be a citywide medical mission, job fairs, fun run, Senior Citizens' Program, Sports Exhibition by the PSC, Skateboard Competition, Volleyball Tournament, Rock Concert, Martsa ng Musiko, among others. There will also be a Food Festival along Maginhawa Street.
On October 12, the city will launch the Quezon City Airship (a 60-foot long, helium-powered balloon that will ascend the city skies at approximately 400 feet high – which is twice the height of the pylon in any part of Quezon City); and the Zumba Fitness Outdoor Party (a high-energy celebration of fitness and fun community camaraderie with a goal to make a new Guinness world record for the largest Zumba party) at the Quezon Memorial Circle. This will happen at 4 p.m. on Oct. 12.
To keep up-to-date on the latest news about the Quezon City 75th Diamond Jubilee, visit its Facebook page: Quezon City 75th Diamond Jubilee.
