A former Philippine capital, Quezon City (QC) has long provided the glitter to Manila. The city tries to live up with its “city of the stars” reputation by being a vast playground of superb accommodations, entertainment, shopping and dining.
Landmarks
Quezon City is home to the nation’s democracy icon, the EDSA Shrine, marked by the giant golden statue of Our Lady of EDSA. The shrine commemorates the peaceful 1986 demonstrations that led to the end of the dictatorship of former Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos.
QC is also the location of the country’s Congress (Batasang Pambansa) and top two universities (University of the Philippines and Ateneo de Manila). Its main park is the Quezon Memorial Circle, a favorite venue for jogging, picnic, biking and skating. Its burial monument, the tallest structure in the city, holds the remains of the country’s former president, Manuel L. Quezon, after whom the city was named.
Patches of green
Running along the park is Commonwealth Avenue, the nation’s widest road leading to the golf course of Capitol Hills Golf and Country Club, the outdoor sports haven of La Mesa EcoPark, and the aviary of Birds International, the biggest captive bird breeding facility on the planet.
Commercial heart
Quezon City’s commercial heart beats in Cubao, a haven of bus terminals and home to the Araneta Coliseum, the country’s biggest venue for local and international acts, and Gateway Mall. The city’s Eastwood complex is a booming park for shopping, IT and residential skyscrapers. For nightlife, the city boasts of the resto-bars and cafés in Tomas Morato, stripper clubs and comedy bars in E. Rodriguez Avenue, and karaoke joints and gay bars in Timog.
Accommodations
Although not a hotel hub like adjacent cities Mandaluyong and Manila, QC is seeing the rise of new condominiums, particularly in Timog, Tomas Morato, and Araneta Center. For temporary lodging, QC boasts of its Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila and Great Eastern Hotel Manila. For eyeing a longer stay, the high-end gated communities of Blue Ridge, Acropolis, Green Meadows, Corinthian Hills, Corinthian Gardens and White Plains offer several houses for rent.
