Travel: QC at 75 – Quezon City Field Trip – Things to Do
I love going out and about, especially when with friends. So when Earth (earthlinggorgeous.com) invited me to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Quezon City I immediately said yes!
First Stop: Eton Centris
ETON Centris is situated at the corner of two major arteries connecting the metropolis – EDSA and Quezon Avenue. It is directly connected to Metro Rail Transit (MRT) – Quezon Avenue Station which allows people to have easy access to the new development. Developers are always hard pressed in ensuring the public views their development to be accessible and people-friendly, but with the advantageous location of Eton Centris, there is no struggle from Eton to deliver this feature to the market.
The ETON Centris Lifestyle embraces the concept of new urbanism where walkable and cyclable areas are considered through its landscaped and wide sidewalks, and where most, if not all conveniences are within reach. As Eton Centris is envisioned to contain various land uses that make for a fully integrated lifestyle, the area will also be an excellent choice for families, young professionals, among others who prefer the convenience. Quezon’s City’s nightlife and top tourist spots are also easily accessible for those who want to stay in the area.
Lunch at Pancake House! I got their Grilled Cheese Sandwich and Orange Freeze. Yum.
2nd Stop: Bantayog ng mga Bayani
“Bantayog ng mga Bayani” in the Filipino language means “Monument to the Heroes.” It is a landscaped memorial center honoring those individuals who lived and died in defiance of the repressive regime that ruled over the Philippines from 1972 to 1986.
A 14-meter Inang Bayan (Mother Philippines) Monument designed by the sculptor Eduardo Castrillo stands on the grounds of the memorial center, depicting the self-sacrifice of a fallen figure of a man, held in one hand by the rising figure of a woman who symbolizes the Motherland, while her other hand reaches for the glorious sun of freedom. In the distance stands a Wall of Remembrance, where the names of martyrs are inscribed. The Monument and the Wall of Remembrance were unveiled on 30 November 1992.
After visiting the Philippines immediately after the 1986 People Power Revolution to rejoice over the downfall of an authoritarian regime, Dr. Ruben Mallari, a Filipino-American medical doctor, suggested the establishment of a memorial to honor those martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the cause of freedom and justice but failed to witness the dawn of freedom.
The Bantayog Center aims to reach out mainly to schoolchildren and college students, hoping to help them understand and learn from the people’s struggle against repression. “Never Again!” is a recurring theme of the activities.
By displaying authentic material objects associated with the heroes and martyrs, as well as with the period of dictatorship, the Bantayog Museum hopes to awaken in its visitors a powerful sense of history as it was actually made by real-life men and women.
Concerts and story-telling are among the other activities conducted by the Bantayog Museum. It may be noted that since the Bantayog Center hosts numerous programs, seminars, etc. by various civil- society groups, the latter are also drawn to visit the Bantayog Museum. It is hoped that with more support from the private sector and the general public, more resources will be generated that will allow the implementation of so many ideas that cry out to be done.
The names of the first sixty-five martyrs, some of them well- known such as Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr. and many others not as well-known, were enshrined in 1992. The following year, after long reflection, the Foundation decided to include as heroes those who gave their all for the sake of freedom, justice, and democracy during the Marcos years but died after the EDSA Revolution.
Since then, hundreds of heroes and martyrs of the martial law dictatorship have been honored by their names being inscribed on the black granite Wall of Remembrance.
The Bantayog Museum occupies more than a hundred square meters of space on the second floor of the Jovito R. Salonga Building. On the same floor is the Ambassador Alfonso T. Yuchengco Auditorium where film showings are presented and programs are held. It is named after the Foundation’s Chairperson, a prominent businessman and philanthropist who has served as the country’s ambassador to China and Japan.
There is a growing collection of memorabilia from the period of resistance, including underground publications, the “mosquito press,” reports from the various civil-society groups emerging at the time, and expressions of international solidarity. The families and friends of the heroes and martyrs donate much of the Bantayog Museum’s material collections.
3rd Stop: Eat Fresh Banawe QC
After making them kulit on our last stop. I literally SCREAMED Eat Fresh when they were asking for suggestions on where to get afternoon snacks.
Everything is cheap, delicious, and filling.
Admittedly, before dating Rems, I was a Makati-BGC-Ortigas kind of girl. QC was nearer in Manila but I never appreciated it as much. But you know what? It’s now my favorite city. Less traffic, great sights to see, maintained its cultural and historial landmarks and definitely love the food!
I LOVE QC!
#QCAT75 #QCBLOGVENTURE
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