A Lush of Green Amidst a Shifting City: QCMC Park



As our current era demands, a need for green spaces has become a necessity to every city in the world, especially to our nation which can be said as one of the heaviest polluted cities in the  Earth. In or country, thriving at the heart of the largest city in Manila Metropolis is the Quezon City Memorial Circle. The park which has followed this common humanitarian ord inance for a greener environment with its 25 hectare patch of greeneries along a network of busy roads transcending different routes around Quezon City has been a “net” for all the smoke that have coloured the air.
QCMC is a familiar city getaway for enthusiasts of picnics, parks and leisurely activities that can also enjoy its facilities for different needs and wants. After being taken over by the city government, the park had been developed into a complex of numerous uses that adheres to the demands of our modern ways as 21st century beings like stages for entertainments, for shows, and even a small theme park can be found along the circle. The place had also become a hub for revelling sports men and women for sports like cycling, aerobics jogging, marathons and even free lessons from our dearly and beloved senior citizens.
Personally, I chose QCMC because it had been unconsciously a part of my everyday life as a commuter and as a citizen around the place. I have witnessed the park as it grows as it is today making me one of the eye witnesses to its improvement. The park not only a mere “rotunda” for all vehicles but it became a landmark, a landmark of yet another accomplishment showing that Filipinos can also do better with our sustainability issues through our simple ways, it may not be structurally but it is a hundred per cent environmental.
The mind behind the iconic pylons is Architect Federico Ilustre, who won the national contest imposed by OsmeƱa. Originally, the park was a 425 hectare  land but later reduced to 25 hectares to give way to other facilities such as roads, wildlife parks and others. The design of the central icon at the QCMC Park was a pylon of three 66 meters high vertical Carrara marble representing the age of Manuel Quezon’s age when he died and the principal islands Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Also, the three tiers has mourning angels (each of whom, holding a sampaguita) sitting atop each pylon was sculpted by Italian sculptor Monti.  




As another part of the promenade, dancing fountains and different lightings where used to show emphasis at the park especially at night facing Commonwealth and Quezon Avenues. Concessions along the walkways were also encourage into the complex giving another reason for people to flock into the facility especially during weekends. The QCMC also presents some cultural touches of Quezon City via its museums around with another one being constructed today.
            Adhering to the needs of the many, while still answering the call to a cleaner and greener future, while enjoyment and leisure still suffice, Quezon City Memorial Circle has yet done an excellent job in giving the city a hub for what a modern man has and have to do to a modern facility.



-Teofilo Miguel G. Fabia III                     4AR7      SP1                      Arch't. Grace Servino

2 comments:

  1. Since you pass by here often, I hope you have posted your own photos. At the very least, acknowledge the pictures if they are taken by another.

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  2. Hi Mr. Fabia, thanks for your very interesting blog.

    May I kindly request your permission to use the portions of the image of the QCMC monument? particularly the one in the middle of the violet fountain?

    ReplyDelete