Aerial shot of Quezon Memorial Circle. (Photo by Mark Balmores/ Manila Bulletin)
Sprawled on 27 hectares of prime real estate at one end of Quezon Avenue, the city’s main thoroughfare that leads directly to the City of Manila, the Quezon Memorial Circle is a timeless patch of green that until today offers visitors the simple joy of standing amid nature.
I last visited “The Circle” decades ago, to attend a children’s party, but when I dropped by weeks ago, I felt the same delight of a breeze coming from the open air, its trees shading the foot paths, and an empty bench inviting me to sit and talk to an old friend.
Nothing seems to beat ‘The Circle,’ a national park with a shrine accessible to anyone who has the time to be there –joggers, shoppers, families, friends, and couples looking for a place to enjoy the outdoors, even for a little while.
A family playing near the Quezon Memorial Shrine. (Manila Bulletin)
Almost at the center of the national park is the Quezon Memorial Shrine, surrounded by flowers and garden shops, food stalls, restaurants, cafes, basketball courts, the Presidential Car museum, and arenas (Liwasang Aurora and QMC), among others.
It features a multi-purpose field for football, baseball, frisbee, and softball; a skate trail, and a park; basketball, volleyball, and tennis courts; exercise areas, bike lanes, and jogging paths, among others.
Years ago, there were only a few shops around the park, with kids riding rented bikes. Now, the rent-a-bike is gone, but families are still there especially on weekends. Young people are all over the park – playing badminton, exercising, dancing.
We left before 6 p.m., just when the night crowd began to walk in to enjoy the fountain and the monument aglow in red, blue, green, and white lights.
A worker cleans the fountain near the Quezon Memorial Shrine. (Manila Bulletin)
The triangular memorial shrine dedicated to the late President Manuel Luiz M. Quezon was designed by Architect Federico Ilustre, from the Bureau of Public Works (now known as the Department of Public Works and Highways). It is the city's most significant landmark, and was built between 1952 to 1978, according to the QC website.
Its three towers represent the country's major islands — Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Above them are sculptures of three angels holding sampaguita wreaths by Italian artist Francesco Riccardo Monti. The pylons are 66 meters (217 feet) in height, signifying Quezon's age when he died.
Those who want to use the time to learn more about former President Quezon can visit the galleries showcasing Quezon's belongings and the documentation of his political career and life until death.
A gallery inside the museum showing Quezon’s office during his Commonwealth presidency. (National Historical Commission of the Philippines Photo)
According to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines website, Gallery 1 features the late president's life in Baler, and Tayabas (now Aurora), where he was born on Aug. 19, 1878; his education at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran and the Unibersidad de Santo Tomas, where he earned a law degree; revolution days; and civilian life.
Gallery 2 exhibits Quezon's early political career and the country under the Americans.
The museum gallery featuring Quezon’s life. (National Historical Commission of the Philippines Photo)
Gallery 4 shows his leadership during the war, where he served as "aide-de-camp to General Emilio Aguinaldo" along with his post-war endeavors as a lawyer, governor of Tayabas in 1906; National Assembly representative (1907); Resident Commissioner to Washington D.C. (1909); and Senate President (1916). While Gallery 3 features Quezon's Commonwealth presidency, his supposed re-election in 1941 — interrupted by the war caused by Japan's invasion and occupation — and his exile to the United States (US) from 1942 to 1944.
Meanwhile, Gallery 5 relates the story on Quezon's death due to tuberculosis on Aug. 1, 1944 in the US. From Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, his remains were transferred to Manila North Cemetery in 1946 before it was moved to the Quezon Memorial Shrine on Aug. 1, 1979.
Among other facilities at the museum are an audio-visual room for film-showing; a gallery featuring his wife Aurora; and his office when he was the Commonwealth president. It is open to the public from Tuesday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The National Museum of the Philippines had named the Quezon Memorial Shrine as one of the country's National Cultural Treasures — the "highest government distinction conferred on cultural property" under Museum Declaration No. 29-2020. The shrine is the second National Cultural Treasure located in the city. The first is the image of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, La Naval de Manila, Sto. Domingo in Sta. Mesa Heights.
In April this year, the Quezon City (QC) government announced its plan to redevelop the Quezon Memorial Circle (QMC). About 70 percent of the park will be allocated for green areas such as picnic grounds, children's playgrounds, themed gardens, and urban farming areas. The plan also includes a cultural arena where artists, entertainers, and musicians can perform.