QUEZON CITY
PLANNING to plant your roots north of Metro Manila? Quezon City is one of the most popular locations to live, work and play given that it is the largest city of Metropolitan Manila.
Given its size, Quezon City has also become a favorite among investors, with the World Bank citing it as “one of the richest and cleanest (cities) in the Philippines”.
From BPOs to the biggest network stations in the country, to popular malls and now dining hubs, Quezon City is filled with economic activity, making it an attractive location not just for investors but for residents who are able to conveniently find work without having to venture far.
Some of the country’s top schools like the University of the Philippines and the Ateneo de Manila University are also located in Quezon City, which is why a lot of families prefer to live there` while property developers continue to come up with exciting projects to cater to this demand.
SHOPPING AND DINING
Home of SM City North EDSA, TriNoma and Eastwood City expec,t to enjoy awesome shopping when you’re at Quezon City. These popular retail and dining hubs continue to lure in customers with their extensive lineup of retail brands and dining outlets, making almost everything comfortably within reach.
In addition to these popular shopping hubs, Quezon City is also home to new points of interests likeUP Town Center, which has become a favorite among students and families residing in the Diliman area. Another new favorite is Robinsons Magnolia located in the relaxed area of New Manila.
At the heart of Cubao is the oldie but goodie Araneta Center - an exciting complex that aims to delight guests of all ages. Here you will find SM Cubao, Ali Mall, Gateway Mall, Farmer’s Market, the swanky Hotel Novotel Manila, the hip Cubao X, the Smart Araneta Coliseum, and various offices and residential developments.
Other exciting Quezon City destinations include Maginhawa Street in UP Village which is a foodie paradise, as well as emerging food hubs such as CommunEaty Roces Food Hub, Boxpark Congressional Food Park, and The Yard at Xavierville.
Museums, shrines and monuments
Rich in history and culture, Quezon City also offers an interesting mix of museums, shrines, and monuments that would be of interest to both residents and visitors. Mowelfund Film Institute ( Pambansang Museo ng Pelikula) - Visitors will find displays of vintage movie posters, gowns worn by movie stars, and film-making equipment like old video cameras. The museum also allows interactive learning through viewing of classic, hard-to-find films as well as training seminars on basic film techniques. UP Vargas Museum and Filipiniana Research Center - Named after statesman Jose B. Vargas who served as Executive Secretary to President Manuel Quezon. Through his years of service, Vargas was able to acquire a collection of memorabilia and historical artifacts about the Philippines, along with numerous souvenirs from his various political engagements and trips. The collection was originally displayed in a private museum within the premises of Vargas’ residence in Mandaluyong. In 1978, he donated his collection to the University of the Philippines, his alma mater. Museo Recoletos - An ecclesiastical museum where relics and memorabilia of the Augustinian Recollects are displayed. It is divided into different sections like bells, furniture, crucifixes,
utensils, altars, tabernacles, among others. The highlight of the museum is the dark image of the antique Blessed Virgin, Nuestra Señora de la Salud. It was brought to the country by the first Recollect missionaries back in 1606. Aside from the permanent collection, the museum also holds other exhibits and art workshops for children. Iglesia Ni Cristo Museum and Gallery - Showcases the history of the religious sect and the memorabilia of its founders. Inside the museum are posters and dioramas reflecting the sect’s beginnings, culture, rituals and practices. It is located on the grounds of Iglesia’s Central Office— also its largest house of worship— in Commonwealth Avenue. Museo ng Bangko Sentral
ng Pilipinas - The museum is home to the Bank’s collection of currencies. Coins, notes, medals and other similar items tell the evolution of the country’s legal tender, giving visitors a deeper understanding of the development of Philippine economy. The exhibit is di v ided into di fferent historical periods of the country, showing the story of money, beginning from the era of pre-colonial barter trading in the Philippines when people used different items that serve as money, and ending with the display of modern coins and notes. The collection includes rare foreign currencies and paintings from the Bank’s art collection as well. The busts of the governors of the Central Bank are also on display. A gallery tour is offered by the museum. Visitors can see the different phases of making coins and banknotes as well as the printing of security documents like passports. At the end of the tour, visitors can buy commemorative money and other souvenir items from the souvenir shop. The Armed Forces of the Philippines Museum - Exhibits the rich history of the armed forces and its heroic contributions to the Filipino nation. The museum’s indoor exhibit is composed of different martial weapons, uniforms of the different branches of the AFP, and paintings and dioramas depicting the history of the AFP. There is also an outdoors exhibit where bigger military equipment and weapons are displayed including tanks and aircrafts. Avid collectors can visit the gift shop that sells books and souvenirs. A similar museum is also located inside the nearby Philippine National Police compound where the law enforcement agency’s history is showcased.
Ateneo Art Gallery - Located on the ground floor of the Rizal Library of the Ateneo de Manila University, is considered the first museum dedicated to the collection of modern Philippine art, showcasing the ingenuity of Filipino masters. The gallery’s collection started in 1961 when painter and art scholar Fernando Zobel de Ayala donated over 200 artworks to make them accessible to students. Over the years, the collection grew to more than 500 artworks representing Filipino artists as well as foreign masters like Rembrandt, Picasso, Dali and Goya.
Aside from museums, immerse yourself in the richness of Quezon City’s history by visiting these shrines and monuments - Bantayog ng mga Bayani, Our Lady of EDSA Shrine, People Power Monument, Cry of Pugad Lawin Shrine, Melchora Aquino Shrine, Boy Scouts Rotonda and monuments for Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr, President Manuel Quezon and General Licerio Geronimo.
Teeming with a wide variety of attractions for every kind of interest, Quezon City is definitely a location you should consider when buying your new home.