Around 3,000 individuals joined “Marikina Together: Car-Free Sundays” as it launched on Gil Fernando Avenue on Sunday, March 2, embracing not just an active lifestyle but also a cleaner and more peaceful city.

Marikina City Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro and the city's First District Rep. Marjorie Ann “Maan” Teodoro led the launch of the event, emphasizing the importance of open spaces for community well-being.

From 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., the city turned a 700-meter stretch of road into a space for pedestrians and cyclists, encouraging residents to walk, jog, cycle, join Zumba, and do other outdoor activities.

“Prino-promote natin ang paglalakad; paggamit ng mga bisekleta para sa pagtungo sa iba’t ibang lugar—sa paaralan, pagtratrabaho, ngayon sa ganitong paraan nakakapag-ehersisyo tayo sa ganitong lugar (We are promoting walking and the use of bicycles for commuting—to school, to work—and now, through this initiative, we also get to exercise in this space),” the mayor stated.

The mayor said the cyclists’ group “Happy Pedal Project” suggested the car-free Sunday to the local government, which then made it part of the city's initiative to promote eco-friendly and healthy urban living.

“Ito ay isang hakbang upang bigyan ang ating mga residente ng ligtas at malinis na espasyo para makapaglakad, makapag-bike, at makapag-bonding kasama ang kanilang pamilya at mga kaibigan. Gusto nating ipakita na may puwang sa ating lungsod para sa mas aktibong pamumuhay (This is a step toward providing residents with a safe and clean space to walk, bike, and spend time with family and friends. We want to show that our city has room for a more active lifestyle),” he explained.

Environmental benefits

Teodoro also highlighted the environmental benefits of reducing vehicle emissions, even for a few hours every Sunday.

“Bukod sa kalusugan, malaking tulong ito sa ating kalikasan. Ang pagbawas ng sasakyan sa kalsada ay nangangahulugan ng mas malinis na hangin at mas tahimik na kapaligiran (Aside from health benefits, this also greatly helps the environment. Reducing the number of vehicles on the road means cleaner air and quieter surroundings),” he said.

“Isa itong simpleng paraan upang ipakita natin ang ating malasakit sa kalikasan at sa isa’t isa (This is a simple way to show our care for nature and each other),” he added.

He also noted that restaurants and businesses in the area stay open during car-free Sundays as more people walk by and dine in, showing that fewer cars on the road benefit both the environment and local livelihoods.

“May isang bagay pa akong gustong sabihin, nakikita natin ang mga restaurant natin dito bukas sila. Salamat sa Eats Marikina. Bukas sila sa ganitong oras o pagkakataon, pati ang komersyo o ang negosyo sa bahaging ito ng Marikina, sa kahabaan ng Gil Fernando Avenue, ay buhay. Pati ang kabuhayan natin ay buhay (There's one more thing I want to say, we can see that our restaurants here are open. Thanks to Eats Marikina, they remain open at this time. Businesses along this part of Marikina are thriving. Our livelihoods are alive)," Teodoro said.

Unveils city commitment mural

During the event, they also unveiled a new mural that celebrates the city’s commitment to sustainability, community, and culture.

The local government said that the vibrant artwork along Gil Fernando Avenue serves as a visual representation of the city's dedication to providing green spaces, promoting an active lifestyle, and fostering unity among its residents.

It added that public art plays a key role in shaping a city’s identity and fostering community pride.

“Ito po ay pag-promote ng sining at kultura ng Marikina kung saan ang sentro ay pamilya. Para po tayong lahat ay nagkakasama-sama; masaya lang dito sa Marikina (This promotes Marikina's art and culture, with family at its center. It brings everyone together—it's all about joy here in Marikina),” Rep. Teodoro said.

Rene Salonga, one of the artists behind the mural, said that it took a total of 30 artists to finish painting the wall along Gil Fernando Avenue.

One of the prominent personalities featured in the mural was Don Laureano “Kapitan Moy" Guevara, the founder and father of the shoe industry in Marikina. Guevara served as “capitan municipal” and was credited with helping manufacture the first pair of shoes in Marikina in 1887.

The mayor invited residents and visitors to join every Sunday, enjoy the car-free, stress-free environment, and make the most of the open space for a healthier, greener, and more connected community.

Every Sunday during the event, Gil Fernando Avenue, from the corner of Guerilla Street (Xeland Marikina) to Comedor Restaurant, will be closed, with motorists advised to take note of the rerouting on selected roads.