QC at 67

Quezon City had been my family’s place of residence for almost 45 years now. The choice of the place was not a matter of determining that it is the best area for establishing the family home after weighing all the advantages and disadvantages. It was actually a case of "whether you like it or not" since the place was part of the inheritance transmitted to us by operation of law from our parents who actually made the choice and bought a sizable parcel of rocky land in the middle of nowhere – a place that is presently located in the bustling district of Cubao. Looking back through all those years we are now more than ever convinced of the truth in the aphorism that parents know best and they only have the best for us in mind.

Obviously our parents were greatly influenced by the well designed plans for the City as envisioned by its founding father and first Commonwealth President Manuel Luis Quezon. When they decided to buy the place, only Sta. Mesa Heights was the "citified" portion. To Manilenos like us in the low lying areas of nearby Sampaloc, Sta. Mesa Heights was the "in" place, the City on a Hill where the rich, the famous and the politicians resided. Our parents’ property was quite far from it and at that time still a remote rural area away from civilization. Yet they kept faith on the promise and the potential of the entire City itself which was then already the Capital of the Philippines. So when we moved in some ten years later or about 45 years ago, the engine of development was beginning to hum and our place was already fairly accessible.

Forty-five years is indeed long enough to develop an attachment to our place and to Quezon City itself. And there are so many factors for entertaining such strong feeling of connection, foremost of which is the growth and progress of the City side by side with the growth, rearing and education of our children, who are now all professionals and having their own families in the City. One of them even became a City councilor.

Quezon City is indeed an ideal place to live and to raise a family. Somehow, the community spirit in the neighborhood is quite strong and easily noticeable, apparently because the strong family ties of the residents are not confined within four walls of their homes but spill over into the environs. Since an overwhelming majority of the residents belong to the middle class, a friendly atmosphere is so prevalent among them obviously because of common likes and dislikes socially, economically and even politically. There may be strong fences separating their houses but unlike the high concrete walls in the enclaves of the rich, the famous and the powerful, these fences develop stronger and more durable bonds of familiarity and fellowship.

The friendly atmosphere is not only confined among the residents. Even the surrounding environment in most part of the City exudes an attractive and inviting atmosphere because they are clean and green. Aside from the Quezon Memorial Circle and the La Mesa Dam, so many other mini parks may be found in the barangays. In fact Quezon City is reputed to be one of the cleanest and greenest places in the country.

The advantage of living in Quezon City is further enhanced by the presence of a considerable number of accessible, top notch institutions of learning within the vicinity. Two of the best Universities in the country, the Ateneo and UP are located in the City. There are also the Miriam College, St Joseph’s College, St Paul’s College and the College of the Holy Spirit all centrally located. Churches that cater to the spiritual needs and Hospitals that take care of the physical and mental health of the residents also abound. The famous Shrines of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, the Immaculate Conception and Mt. Carmel are found in the City.

But I think the residents themselves are the most important assets of the City. Until recently, I didn’t know that so many successful people in government, in business, arts, culture, sports and in other fields of human endeavor live in Quezon City. They have not been recognized because they just go about doing what they set out to do extraordinarily well but without so much fanfare until they reach the top. These are the residents who are sources of inspiration for other residents and make them proud to be part of Quezon City. I didn’t know for example that Dr. Lucio C. Tan, the man who literally started from scratch and became the head of one of the biggest business conglomerates in the country, is a resident of QC until he was cited as the "Outstanding Businessman of the Year at the 67th Founding Anniversary Parangal Awards night.

It is just as well that on the 67th founding anniversary of Quezon City, also honored for lifetime achievements were the following residents: Senior Supreme Court Justice Reynato Puno; Former Prime Minister Cesar Virata; Noted writer and author Gilda Cordero-Fernando; Painter Mauro Malang Santos; and Pianist Cecile Licad. Given award for achievement of special merit for the lifetime work were: Environmentalist Odette Alcantara; Crusader against crime Teresita Ang See; Forensic Pathologists Raquel Fortun; Food Supplement inventor Grace Gupana, and Community leader Adela Gaton. Institutional recognition was also bestowed on Novaliches Development Coorperative Inc a billion-peso cooperative of people from all walks of life; and the Tzu-chi Foundation for their works of charity, medicine, education and culture.

Quezon City after 67 years is indeed on the threshold of achieving the dream of its founding fathers. It is in the pink of financial health with a P6-billion surplus in its coffers. It has been cited as the most business friendly city for the past several years and its residents are exuding with a lot of confidence in a brighter future. They feel proud of their city not only because of its many outstanding residents but also because it is managed well and efficiently run. These feelings undoubtedly stem from having a hardworking, dedicated, competent and service oriented Mayor in the person of Sonny Belmonte and his team of public servants at City Hall.

* * *

E-mail at: [email protected]