Quezon City to mark 75th anniversary with parades, food festivals, and more

A home for many, Quezon City is multifaceted: it is an entertainment capital, a shopping destination, a health and wellness center, a locus of government operations—and it will be celebrating its Diamond Jubilee starting next month. The city-wide birthday bash will celebrate 75 years of growth, and toast to more ahead.

 

However, you must look back before you can move forward.

 

The city is rich with heritage, but the memories are reduced to faded photographs and unopened textbooks. For its 75th anniversary this year, the QC government prepared a set of activities designed to pay tribute to the monumental figures and events that served as its foundation.

 

“Maraming mga historical places in Quezon City na siguro ay maganda rin na malaman ng mga mamamayan... lalo na ang kabataan,” former Councilor Bert Galarpe says. 

 

He cites as an example the Quezon Memorial Circle, the city’s most famous landmark. At the center is the Quezon Memorial Shrine, a 66-meter mausoleum that houses the remains of President Manuel Quezon and his wife. The length represents the age at which the former president died.

 

Also found inside the Circle is the Quezon Heritage House, QC Shrine, and the Urban Farming project of Joy Belmonte. However, the list of notable landmarks doesn’t stop there—the Tandang Sora Shrine and the Santuario de San Pedro Bautista Church are always open to visitors.

 

And of course, Maginhawa Street is always worth visiting.

 

One of the highlights of the upcoming celebration is the food festival in Maginhawa, held on the night of the Grand Welcome, October 11. The whole street will be closed down to accommodate the fest and all the restaurants will be serving food for everyone.

 

This event aims to promote Maginhawa as the main food hub of the city. If all turns out well, there is a chance of a repeat performance in the coming years.

Besides the food festival, there will also be street parties in all six districts of Quezon City. Everyone will be treated to a night of music, performances, food, and fireworks as they countdown to the city’s anniversary. Simultaneously, there will be a city-wide 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.

 

The Diamond Celebrations will be held the day after, 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) 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.

 

The events will not be limited to the month of October. There will be parades, concerts, games, sales, fairs, marathons, and marches to last until 2015. 

 

It is clearer now that Mayor Herbert Bautista aims to realize the dream of the city’s founder, Manuel Quezon - the dream of city that is rich in spirit and culture and achievements. 

 

“The 75th-year celebration of cityhood gives us the perfect opportunity to show off what Quezon City has to offer,” said Mayor Bautista. “This is why we are inviting everyone to become part of our city’s many celebrations as we collectively show our support and pride as residents of this premier city.” — VC, GMA News

 

 

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.