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grew up in SSS Village, just a short drive from where Marikina Town Center now stands along Sumulong Highway, right beside Toyota Marikina, and near Gil Fernando Avenue. Back then, this part of the city was mostly open space, the kind of area I’d only pass when heading out to the main roads or visiting classmates who lived closer to the river. Seeing it now, with lights, crowds, and a sense of movement, feels like coming back to a familiar story that suddenly added a few new chapters.

Standing there, I found myself thinking about how different this area used to be when I was younger. It was mostly open ground in the 1990s and was the kind of place you'd barely notice unless you lived nearby. By the 2000s, small commercial spots began to appear.

Toyota Marikina eventually settled in, the Marikina Blue Wave commercial area popped up, and then right across, Jollibee and Chowking soon after. Little by little, the place took shape. Seeing it on Nov. 26, with a proper football field and a lively food park, makes the city’s steady progress easy to appreciate.

This was the launch of Marikina Town Center’s newest additions, and it drew a lively crowd. Stepping into the area beside Toyota Marikina made the scale of the new development immediately clear. The football field was the first thing that pulled your attention, bright and wide under the evening lights. The 100x68 meter field, built to FIFA standards, looks even larger up close and is a far cry from the bare, unused space it once was.

People settled naturally along the sidelines, with some taking seats on the 250-capacity bleachers while we all waited for Marikina Mayor Maan Teodoro to arrive to officially open the event. The relaxed movement of the crowd reflected what Federal Land President Jose Mari Banzon described as the goal for this space: a place where Marikeños can stay active and come together as a community.

Just beside the field, the heart of the evening was the shared space that housed both the Toyota Tamaraw Food Park and the NakakaLocal Food Fest. Everything blended into one lively stretch, with Tamaraw truck conversions lined up beside local MSME stalls.

The Tamaraw food trucks added a playful touch, each one converted into a compact kitchen serving its own specialty. Families and groups of friends drifted between them, drawn by the clatter of pans and the mix of scents that floated in the air.

I tried Boy Nita, What’s Poppin’, and Little Grace Dining by Chef Sharwin Tee. The Beef Bao buns from Little Grace were the highlight, soft and savory without feeling heavy. Carlita’s Way had already sold out its burritos by the time I got there, which only made me more curious about what I missed.

Right beside the food trucks were the NakakaLocal stalls, some of them proudly representing Marikina’s homegrown food culture. I was too full to try the classic local favorites, but the atmosphere made it clear that these vendors brought their best dishes. There weren’t staples like Everlasting or Waknatoy that night, but the spirit of Marikina cuisine was still very present

I did, however, stop by a stall called Magpoc’s, which sold baked goods. They came all the way from Samal, Bataan to support the event, and I picked up strawberry araro cookies and banana brittle for a little dessert on the way home.

Federal Land’s long-term plans are already in motion. Blue Wave Mall and the Petron station beside it are set for redevelopment, with upgraded sports and lifestyle facilities expected by the first half of 2026. Basketball, badminton, and even pickleball courts are part of what’s ahead. More commercial and residential projects are also lined up, turning the estate into a major activity hub in the East.

For someone who grew up here, the changes feel meaningful without being overwhelming. The football field, in particular, is a big win for the community. It’s a space that encourages movement and gives both kids and adults a proper venue to play and train.

The food park adds a new weekend destination for families and groups of friends. I can totally see myself traveling from QC to hang out here, provided the weather cooperates. There’s something enjoyable about seeing Marikina become this active.

The new developments don’t remove the familiar charm of the city. Instead, they add to it. They create new reasons to gather, new places to try, and new ways to spend time with people who matter. Marikina has always been defined by its community spirit, and with these new additions, that spirit feels stronger and more visible than ever.