MANILA, Philippines - The Quezon City Diamond Jubilee celebration has gone full throttle yesterday with the launch of various activities to mark the city’s 75th founding anniversary.
Mayor Herbert Bautista, Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte – along with other city officials – led the opening of a food festival at the Quezon City’s own “Eat Street” on Maginhawa street.
A foodie haven located in Teacher Village, the 2.125-kilometer stretch was closed to traffic yesterday to accommodate thousands of visitors who were treated to unique gastronomic treats that the place has to offer.
The vice mayor, who heads the city’s tourism department, said the food festival seeks to further promote the street – which developed as a food hub in recent years – as among the city’s tourist destinations.
Yesterday, restaurants along Maginhawa and adjacent streets set up stalls to allow visitors to “food-hop” and try out the different treats that the area has to offer. Live bands were also scheduled to perform last night to liven up the food festival.
Meanwhile, a “lechon boodle fight” took center stage at the Lechon Festival in La Loma yesterday.
Dozens of roast pigs were laid out for the public to try in what is dubbed as Quezon City’s lechon district.
Zumba world record
This afternoon, thousands will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest zumba outdoor party at the Quezon Memorial Circle.
Expecting over 9,000 participants from all walks of life, the city government aims to beat the 2012 record for the largest zumba class in India that had over 6,600 participants.
“We are happy to announce that our application has been officially noted and accepted by the Guinness,” Bautista said.
The zumba outdoor party will start at 4 p.m. today, with the participants expected to take part in free-for-all, non-stop dancing routines for one hour.
Bautista said the city government, with the help of zumba instructor Madelle Paltu-ob and the Zumba Instructors Network, aims to elevate the exercise program into a “fun, exciting, and highly engaging fitness activity.”
To participate in the record attempt, those interested only need to join in the activity at the Quezon Memorial Circle and follow the routines “to best of their ability for at least 30 continuous minutes.”
“This event may come initially as an extravagant party, but as a whole, the Quezon City leadership takes this as one significant and motivational step towards promoting a healthier, active lifestyle among citizens,” added Tadeo Palma, Secretary to the Mayor and chairman of the Diamond Jubilee Committee.
Medical missions
More than 30,000 residents are expected to benefit in medical missions that will be held today in different areas in the city. The city government said the medical mission will be “biggest and first of its magnitude and scope in the city’s history.”
Volunteer doctors and other medical practitioners from the city government and private hospitals will offer free consultations, check-ups and provide free basic medicines. The medical mission will simultaneously take place in the city’s six districts to ensure that the activity will reach as many residents as possible.
Companies and foundations such as Unilab, Mercury Drugstore, SM Foundation, and Tzu Chi Foundation will also support the activity.
Other events
Among the slated activities today include the La Naval Grand Procession, Palarong Pinoy (at the Quezon Memorial Hall), and the Gawad Parangal Grand Night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
To be recognized at the Parangal are Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, actress Nora Aunor, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, National Artist for Music Ramon Santos and Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson.
Also set to receive awards are Trade Undersecretary Lilia de Lima, economist Benjamin Diokno, migrant workers’ advocate Susan Ople, journalists Howie Severino and Marites Vitug, Cultural Center of the Philippines president Raul Sunico, and Jollibee founder Tony Tan Caktiong.
Outstanding institutions to be recognized are Kamuning Bakery, Quezon City High School, Quirino Memorial Medical Center, Veterans Memorial Medical Center and youth orchestra Pangkat Kawayan.