Considered the wealthiest local government unit in the country, Quezon City celebrates its 84th Founding Anniversary today with a slew of events. The city was created 12 October 1939 under Commonwealth Act 502, which was passed by the National Assembly during the time of President Manuel Luis Quezon.
The Commission on Audit has announced that Quezon City retained the top spot among the richest cities in the country for the third straight year, even though its reported assets dropped by around P8 billion to P443.4 billion last year from P451 billion in 2021.
The festivities started with the observance of feast day of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary-La Naval, celebrated every second Sunday of October.
The canonical image of Our Lady of La Naval, considered the city’s patron saint, was enthroned at the Sagrada Familia Parish in New Gateway Mall 2 last Friday, 6 October.
A eucharistic celebration presided by Rev. Fr. Ronnie Santos of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish was held with Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, and city council members attending along with the congregation of OLPH, Marian devotees and patrons of Araneta City.
The enthronement of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, La Naval de Manila opened the commemoration of the Month of the Holy Rosary in Araneta City. Marian devotees were also treated with the Santo Rosario Exhibit in Ali Mall from 9 to 22 October in honor of the month-long celebration.
A grand procession and motorcade was held the following day, 7 October, at Araneta City to send off the Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, La Naval de Manila to the Quezon Memorial Circle.
Last Monday, 9 October, the Quezon City Government, together with Pinoy Lego User Group, opened Project Amorsolo, a commemoration of the 51st death anniversary of Fernando Amorsolo, the Philippines’ first National Artist Awardee for Painting.
Three of Amorsolo’s artworks were chosen as tribute builds, using huge LEGO brick mosaics.
Mayor Belmonte, Vice Mayor Gian Sotto and other city officials, along with Sylvia Amorsolo Lazo, daughter of Fernando Amorsolo and president of Fernando C. Amorsolo Art Foundation, Fernando “Nandy” Amorsolo, grandson of Fernando Amorsolo and vice president and executive director of FCAAF as well as representatives from PinoyLUG, witnessed the event.
It can now be viewed at the Legislative Wing of the QC Hall.
Other scheduled events to watch are the Battle of the Bands; Spoken Word Poetry; Quezon City Symphonic Band Concert; Film Showing by QCinema, Street Art Demonstration; Bangsamoro & Maginhawa Food Community; QC Livelihood and Made in QC.
Quezon City is known for its culture, entertainment industry and media, and is aptly called the “City of Stars.” Major broadcasting networks have their headquarters and studios in the city. It is also known for its commerce, education, research, technology, politics, tourism, art and sports. Several national government branches including the Batasang Pambansa Complex, the seat of House of Representatives of the Philippines are in the city.
Belmonte took the helm in 2019, after serving as vice mayor. She is the daughter of former Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr., who was then reelected as city mayor in 2022, after which the Quezon City People’s Council was established.
Under the Participation, Accountability and Transparency Ordinance, the council would serve as an umbrella for about 2,232 civil society organizations accredited by the city government as a means for more civic participation and as for the council to be the “eyes, ears and voice” of the city residents in the city government.