Table of Contents 0. TITLE ...... 2 I. ABSTRACT ...... 2 II. INTRODUCTION ...... 3 III. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE ...... 4 III.1 Developments at the ...... 4 III. 2 : Circle of Fun Entrance Fee, Rides, Rates, Schedule ...... 6 IV. METHODOLOGY ...... 8 IV.1 An interview with Engr. Dela Rosa: ...... 8 V. ANALYSIS ...... 14 V.1 PHOTO DOCUMENTATION ...... 14 V.2 S W O T ANALYSIS ...... 26 VI. STUDY ...... 28 VII. CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 29 VIII. REFERENCES ...... 30

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0. TITLE “A PARK THAT CREATS A HUGE AMOUNT OF ATTENTION NOT ONLY FOR FILIPINO PEOPLE BUT ALSO FOR THE TOURIST AROUND THE WORLD.”

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I. ABSTRACT

This study covers the present and past condition of Quezon City Memorial Circle. In which we aim to focus on determining “how will the park be the most visited area by the people, in which it still maintain the serenity of the place”. The researcher found and concluded that the QCMC must be: More strict security measure is needed and a total facelift will make this place more attractive not only to locals but tourist alike, Lots of open grounds where you can run around and do park of other stuff that involves jumping and for runners too, The place to have added attractions other than a silent recluse for picnics goers, Having entrance fees for them to feel the essence of the place and to control the inward bound and outward bound of the people, More trashcans are needed to lessen the bad odor came from the garbage, More restaurants to accommodate more people to have bonding while eating, More livable and more colorful paints and paintings for the chairs, walls and etc, Bigger Stage for the big events.

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II. INTRODUCTION

The park is located inside a large traffic circle in the shape of an ellipse and bounded by the . Its main feature is a tall containing the remains of Manuel L. Quezon, the second official President of the and the first of an internationally-recognized independent Philippines, and his wife, First Lady .

The site was originally intended as the grounds of the National Capitol to be built in Quezon City to house the Congress of the Philippines. After World War II, President Sergio Osmeña issued an executive order stipulating the creation of a Quezon Memorial Committee to raise funds by public subscription to erect a memorial to his predecessor, President Manuel L. Quezon.

A national contest for the Quezon Memorial Project was held 1951. Filipino architect Federico S. Ilustre's design won the contest.

The Quezon City Government is continuously improving the Quezon Memorial Circle as a people's park and a fitting place for the shrine of a Philippine President. The place is not a forest park. On an ordinary day, when there are no special events there, an average of 8,000 people visit the park daily, with numbers increasing to 12,000 on weekends, and to over a million last December as more families chose to celebrate the holidays in affordable style outdoors. There remains 15.65 hectares of green space in the park. From any perspective, the dense presence of trees can be easily seen.

There is now order and clear demarcation of entranceways, from Commonwealth Avenue and , including entry ways from two underground pedestrian passageways from Philcoa and . Where there used to be disorganized clumps of trees and makeshift barriers that actually deterred more people from coming in, the park is now more open and more welcoming of the public.

Moreover, we can see that Quezon Memorial Circle is well maintained, enhance and it’s still growing thus we don’t know if the facilities are enough for the people interest to visit this area. Or maybe the lack of promotional activities to create a huge amount of attention not only for Filipino people but also for the tourist around the world.

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III. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

III.1 Developments at the Quezon Memorial Circle The Quezon City Government is continuously improving the Quezon Memorial Circle as a people's park and a fitting place for the shrine of a Philippine President. The place is not a forest park. On an ordinary day, when there are no special events there, an average of 8,000 people visit the park daily, with numbers increasing to 12,000 on weekends, and to over a million last December as more families chose to celebrate the holidays in affordable style outdoors. There remains 15.65 hectares of green space in the park. From any perspective, the dense presence of trees can be easily seen.

President Benigno Aquino III, himself, chose to hold his post-inaugural party, "Tagumpay ng Bayan," at the QMC, after taking his oath as the 15th President of the Philippines.

The QMC has also been consistently chosen by private organizers, since 2009, as a key convergence point for international marathons held annually, where the theme is usually a race through the largest green spaces in . The park was chosen, for the second time since 2011, as the site of

The outdoor art and photography exhibit by the French Embassy and the Niepce Museum in France, as they partner with the Quezon City Government for the project "Kilometer Zero," which aims to make art accessible to everyone.

The park is also a favorite venue by biking enthusiasts, including those for the national cycling event Philippine Grand Prix and the annual Tour of the Fireflies, which rallies for the environment.

There is now order and clear demarcation of entranceways, from Commonwealth Avenue and Quezon Avenue, including entry ways from two underground pedestrian passageways from Philcoa and Quezon City Hall. Where there used to be disorganized clumps of trees and makeshift barriers that actually deterred more people from coming in, the park is now more open and more welcoming of the public.

The central plaza and the promenades are in the same place where the old structures used to be. But instead of the asphalt that was used before, the promenades use turf grass with sidewalks.

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The Quezon City Government also revived the old fountain that was decrepit and rusting, making it a center of attraction especially at night, with its dancing waters and colorful display of dancing light bands. The pylon itself gains special visibility at night with rays of colorful lights highlighting it.

The city government also introduced the following facilities that are very well used by the public as meeting, conference and sports venues: Seminar Hall, Century Hall, People's Hall, covered courts and stage.

Taken altogether, these occupy only 3,061 sqm. of the 25-hectare Quezon Memorial Circle. What is under construction now is the Quezon City Museum, which will occupy a 1.5 hectare footprint, and which is a much needed cultural and historical facility of the city. It was designed to be a green building within the international standards of the "Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)" Green Building Rating System. The museum will be completed in 2013. Also ongoing are other park attractions such as the tropical and meditation gardens.

The parking area, as it is now, is also smaller than what was provided for it under the masterplan made by the architectural firm of Francisco Mañosa in the mid 1980s. The vending structures are also almost 200 less than what they used to be before the city government took over. Only during weekends is an additional vending area provided for, to cater to the large number of park-goers.

The city government's average income from the park is Php 3 million a month, more than doubling the Php 1.4 million monthly collections of the previous park administrators. The entire government income from QMC goes into the General Fund where it is subject to government audit rules.

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III. 2 Quezon City: Circle of Fun Entrance Fee, Rides, Rates, Schedule

Quezon Memorial Circle, in Tutubi's home city, is cool these last few months! In addition to the regular jogs around the Quezon Monument and Museum, the dance classes, Sunday mass at 7am, stalls selling clothes, rows of restaurants, Muslim worship during Islamic holidays (e.g. Eid Al-Fitr, end of Ramadan), Circle of Joy children's playground, Pedal and Paddle boat rides, bicycle rentals and bike tracks, dancing musical fountain, hassle-free, ample parking, zipline, and other activities and crowds especially on weekends.

Then there's Circle of Fun, a theme park for families to enjoy bonding time!

the entrance gate of Circle of Fun, Tutubi was "caught" by "old school" security guards taking this picture but he just ignored them and walked away

Tutubi was not able to get the information as he was irked by the "old school" security guards for not allowing picture taking of the theme park even if he's just using an iPhone. Such old school mindset in this age of information. Tutubi has yet to actually enter Circle of Fun, though one of these days he will.

Circle of Fun Information:

Circle of Fun Entrance fee: PhP20.00 Senior Citizens/Children: PhP10.00 Children below 3 feet: free

Operating Hour Schedules: Tuesdays to Friday: 4pm to 10pm Weekend schedules: 10am to 10pm Monday: closed, except if it's a holiday (no information yet if open during Holy Week (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Black Saturday, and Easter Sunday usually March or April), Christmas day, All Saints day, All Souls day)

Prices/Rates for Rides: varies, range from PhP30.00 to PhP50.00 Rides include boat rides, roller coaster (this is small, not the thriller type that can really turn your gut upside down)

Telephone Number/Contact Information: TBD

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Official website/email address: TBD

At one time, Tutubi saw a Holcim family day celebration at Circle of Fun on a saturday morning (or was it Sunday?). Please try to get in touch with Circle of Fun directly by calling their published contact number for party inquiries, group tours, reservations and other information.

How to get there:

Commute: Buses on EDSA going to Fairview (and jeepneys from Manila) pass by Quezon Memorial Circle and Elliptical Road, alight in front of Quezon City Hall cross Elliptical road using the pedestrian underpass. You may also take MRT Quezon Avenue station then transfer to jeepneys going to Philcoa/Fairview/UP.

Driving directions to Quezon Memorial Circle: from Makati, easiest is via EDSA Cubao, take "ilalim" of EDSA/Kamuning flyover, turn right to East Avenue, enter Elliptical road and look for the park entrances slowly going into the inner lanes, one of them is in front of East Avenue and the other is right across Commonwealth Avenue. (P15.00 single entry parking fee for cars)

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IV. METHODOLOGY

IV.1 An interview with Engr. Dela Rosa:

QUESTION 1: What is the difference of Quezon City Memorial Circle from before? What are the development and the incorrect solution that you see?

ENGR. DELA ROSA: “Before walang pera gaano ang government, so nung mayor si Mayor Simon Jr. at that time he use to play the foundation to take care the development, maintenance and operation of QCMC. At that time he initially funded the QCMC at about 50 million pesos so doon nacreate yung quezon city parks development foundations incorporated. So, after nung 20 years wala kaming nakitang improvement dito sa QCMC at kung titignan mo parang may informal settlers dito tapos yung mga car owners ay natatakot na pumasok dito especially sa gabi kasi madilim . In 2008 with Mayor Belmonte naging maayos na yung financial position ng city ang ginawa nya kinuha nya yung foundation at ibalik na ulit yung operation ng QCMC sa city government. On July 1, 2008 with Mayor Belmonte itinake over na ng quezon city government itong QCMC. With the observation na nakita namin na kung bakit di gaanong umaasenso itong circle, actually from the start we have Arch. Palafox to do the planning pero nung ginagawa niya yung planning parang itototally sisirain ng buo yung circle parang gagawin naming panibago . Which is hindi na kami nag-agree sa plano kasi before hinire kaagad ng city government iyon wala pa kami dito di pa kami inaasign ni Mr. Palma (QCMC Aministrator) and with that nakita naming yung problema, hindi mo naman pwede na isang bagsakan yung development. Actually may master plan ito first, during the time of Mayor Rodriguez merong master plan ito prepared by city planning development office. Second, during the time of Mayor Simon nagkaroon din ng master plan si Arch. Mañosa. Then kay Mayor SB naman yung kay Arch. Palafox, so looking at those three master plans nakita naming yung situation na nangyayari sa circle kasi yung isa nagsasabi na shrine to pero pag tinignan mo naman oo nga shrine to pero sino naman ang pupunta na tao. Nung dumating kami dito marami lang tao kapag morning pati yung mga joggers lang after exercise wala na. so, Pinag- aralan naming, what we did is una iclear muna namin lahat ng bakod kasi yung bakod di mo Makita yung loob ng circle so siyempre yung mga pupunta matatakot baka maholdap or marape ka yung ganon. Tapos kulang sa ilaw kaya iniluminate muna namin, so nung malinis na maliwanag na diyan nagstart na kami sa pag-aayos ng mga amenities nito kaagad. During the time of Planas and Simon sinira yung fountain at ginawang . kasi ako sa ditto sa city 36 years na ako sa service nakita ko tonh quezon memorial nung una pa so sabi ko ang fountain kailangan nating ibalik so nilagyan naming ng fountain tapos inayos naming yung gitayan dumami na yung tao. At unti unti yung improvement,

Page | 8 meron na rin na underpass para maging accessible. Ininput namin yung mga dating kiosk dyan an mga panget sila rin naman yung pinag-occupy namin kaya lang ito yung nagawa naming plano sundin nyo to at di kami gagastos kayo yan papaupahan namin sa inyo ng mura after 3 yearssamin yung structure. so ganun lahat nadevelop yung kainan dyan makikita nyo hindi city hall ang nagpaggawa sila kaya lang kami ang nagplano actually nakaikot na nga e nakrenew na sila e nung nirenew na sila tinaasan na namin dahil dun sa unang kontrata nila kinonsider din naming yung kanilang construction so ganun yung nangyari dumami ng dumami. Diba dati patay din yung lumeta nagpunta naman yung tao ditto sa circle because of the fountain nung nakita ng luneta yun gumawa sila ng fountain tapos nilakihan nila yung fountain kaya yun din yung highlight nila dun sa luneta diba yung fountain pag pumunta ka. So inimpprove namin so up to now ito yung aming mga childrens playground imported yan meron kaming exercise machine na lahat yan libre sa luneta pumunta ka luneta may bayad ordinaryong bakal pa yung gagamiting paglalaruan ng bata pumunta ka dyan sa parks and wildlife entrance meron circle wala. Dun naman kami nagkakaproblema dahil libre pasok ng pasok kahit sino saka ang problema natin ditto sa circle it is surrounded by informal settlers dyan sa may north ave, visayas, commonwealth yun yung mga medyo nagpapahirap dito. So ganun naming pinatakbo yung development and up to now we continue na idevelop. Actually ang target naming within 5 years kainlangan world class park na ito, bakit nyo matatanong iyon ang ginawa nga pala naming ditto sa park “it is a shrine park, it is a combination of a shrine and a park” kasi kung makikita nyo itong area na ito (using the plan of QCMC) ang nag aasiakso nito si national historical institute (NHI) kung saan nandoon yung pylon yan ang shrine. So ang development namin into green kami paikot nitong shrine kaya pag inikot nyo ito merong tropical garden, flower garden, ditto may garden din at ditto rin garden so para mapreserve din yung serenity of the area ginawa naming na puro garden yun. Nandito ngayon yung sports nakita nyo dyan may basketball court, volleyball court and when it comes to childrens ito sya andyan yung children’s playground nandyan yung bicycle station, circle of fun meron kami dyan pedal n’ padel at saka yung zip line yan yang mga yan sila ang nagdevelop nyan hindi city government yan nagrerenta sila sa amin. Like for example circle of fun kumikita lang yan pag Christmas season para bang star city pero they are paying 300,000 php a month. Yung flooded area dyan kininvert naming na lagoon parang Burnham park may boating at may go cart na dyan sila na yung gumawa nyan at zip line din ganun din. Yung bike station ganun din, so ganun naming dinedevelop paraless burden sa city and to tell you now ang total population naming dito sa circle ay papasok naming sa city government and we have an average of four million a month ang magiging revenue nito at kung tutuusin mo yung four million a month nay un kaya ng ioperate yung quezon memorial circle ibig sabihin can stand alone na pwede ng paswelduhin yung mga empleyado yung mga utilities yung mga ganun kaya na. kay lang ginawa parin naming as a

Page | 9 city sa city naman bigay lahat ng development pati maintenance saka development dun nanggagaling at walang problema sa audit ganyan naming ginawa yung development.”

Q2: Have you noticed any missing or any problem from the plan?

EDR: “So far wala pa, actually bukod sa cleaning kung makikita yung malaking area dyan na nakainclose yan yung quezon city museum yan yung magiging parang green building, naka green building yung museum na ginagawa dyan. On-going yan ngayon, nakita nyo yung quezon heritage park nandiyan yung bahay ni Quezon sa new manila. Ngayon yung Quezon family binenta nila yung property so yung bahay una binibenta sa city government pero aanhin ng city government napakamahal 50 million Malaki ang property nila quezon imagine yung manila area isang block Malaki talaga. So ngayon idinonate nalang ng quezon family yung bahay lahat ng gamit dun nandyan except yungconcreto talagang ginawan ng bago.”

Q3: What are the action that you’re making in avoiding vandalism and the like due to in demand use of this public park?

EDR: “Yan ang pinakamalaking problema, yung vandalism nga yan yung pangalawa ang pangalawa is yung basura tayong mga Pilipino madudumi tayo e hindi tayo responsible na mag-ayos andiyan yung basurahan katabi mo na yung aming asweeper sisitahin sila sasabihin sa kanila “ e diba kaya nandito kayo? Sumusweldo kayo para maglinis?” yan ang problema. Basta nahuli sila magbabayad sila, kunyari may nanakaw dito security ang magbabayad.”

Q4: We have noticed that some area around this park had its fence while the others didn’t have. EDR: “Ganito yon kaya may net yun alm nyo ang pinakamaraming tao ditto sa circle during Christmas day and new year’s day kung hindi ko babakuran yung mga area na yon na napakamahal na damo. Ang damo pag hindi nyo pa alam sa landscaping wala na yang carabao grass, wala na yang Bermuda grass hindi nay an ang uso ngayon ang uso ngayon is frog grass yan ang mahal na grass. Alam mo kasi naobserbahan naming through the past years pag itong circle pinabayaan mo yung tao wasak lahat to kaya nagbakod kami ng ganyan para atleast yung ibang area mapreserve. Pero nagtira din kami ng sisirain nila bakit kamo, tuwing Christmas season wala kaming curfew dito marami sa park goers dito natutulog may dalang tent. Pero aalisin din naming yan pag regular day’s dahil di naman gano matao. Yun nga yung mga namatay na damo pipilitin naming mabuhay.”

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