Quezon Memorial Circle (QMC) is a 27-hectare national park and cultural landmark located inside the Elliptical Road in Quezon City, Metro Manila. More than just a green lung for the city, QMC is a vibrant fusion of Philippine history, mid-century architecture, suburban recreation, and local food culture.
Quezon Memorial Circle History
Originally designated in 1939 by President Manuel L. Quezon to be the site of the country’s new National Capitol, construction on the park was interrupted by World War II. Following President Quezon’s death in 1944, the space was transformed into a national monument and mausoleum to fulfill his wish to be buried in the city bearing his name. Major construction on the shrine was completed in 1978.
Why the Capital Returned to Manila
Although Quezon City was the official capital from 1948 to 1976, key national government offices (including Malacañang Palace) remained in Manila. The planned government center in QC was never fully realized, and in 1976, President Ferdinand Marcos officially restored Manila as the national capital due to its established infrastructure, accessibility, and historic significance.
Top Attractions & Museums Inside QMC
The Quezon Memorial Shrine
If you’ve ever found yourself cruising through the Elliptical Road in Quezon City, it’s impossible to miss the towering silhouette of the Quezon Memorial Shrine. More than just a traffic landmark, this 66-meter pylon is a deep dive into Philippine history and a tribute to the “Father of the National Language.”
Here is everything you need to know about this iconic Art Deco masterpiece.
Quezon Memorial Shrine
- The Height: Standing at exactly 66 meters, the monument represents the age of President Manuel L. Quezon at the time of his death.
- The Pylons: The three towering columns represent the major island groups of the Philippines: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
- The Resting Place: Peacefully resting beneath the shrine are the remains of President Quezon and his wife, the beloved First Lady Aurora Quezon.
QC Bahay Modernismo
Bahay Modernismo opened on May 30, 2025. It is a dedicated museum space capturing post-war suburban living in the Philippines. This reconstructed split-level bungalow was built using roughly 70% salvaged original materials from the historic Aquino family residence at #25 Times Street. It honors the legacy of Senator Ninoy Aquino, President Corazon Aquino, and President Noynoy Aquino.
Bahay Modernismo is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Step Inside a 1980s-Style Heritage Home
Stepping into Bahay Modernismo feels instantly familiar to anyone who grew up in classic Philippine homes, such as traditional 1980s provincial houses. The authentic floor layout, retro terrazzo tiles, and generous living areas bring back nostalgic memories of Filipino family life.
Key Features and Room Layout
- Architectural Details: Authentic breeze blocks (ventanillas), retro appliances, period-accurate furniture, and iconic Googie-inspired atomic design elements.
- Living & Work Spaces: Three distinct living areas, a home office, and a dedicated entertainment room complete with a classic audio listening lounge.
- Dining & Service Areas: A fully decorated dining room, a retro kitchen setup, and two period-styled comfort rooms.
- Outdoor & Parking: An open garden area paired with a vintage garage housing a classic red car.
Whether you are an architecture enthusiast, an urban history buff, or a traveler exploring Quezon City, Bahay Modernismo offers an immersive look at mid-century modern design and Philippine heritage.
Presidential Car Museum
The Presidential Car Museum (Museo ng Pampangulong Sasakyan) opened on August 19, 2018, and admission is free. Presidential Car Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.It showcases the vehicles of the following prominent figures:
- Douglas MacArthur
- Emilio Aguinaldo
- Manuel Quezon
- Sergio Osmena
- Jose Laurel
- Manuel Roxas
- Elpidio Quirino
- Ramon Magsaysay
- Diosdado Macapagal
- Ferdinand Marcos
- Cory Aquino
- Fidel Ramos
- Joseph Estrada
- Gloria Arroyo
- Imelda Marcos
It is mesmerizing to see these because they are classic vintage cars; walking through the museum feels like stepping back in time. Emilio Aguinaldo’s car immediately brought the movie Titanic to my mind, while the vehicles from Quezon to Magsaysay made me feel like I was watching classic old films.
For me, the coolest and most stylish of them all is Diosdado Macapagal’s car because the front grille resembles a shark. As it turns out, it is a 1960 Cadillac Sedan DeVille—out of the 20,000 units ever produced, only 100 were exported.
If I had to choose a personal favorite, I would pick Manuel Quezon’s car. It looks like a cross between a turtle car and a modern extended SUV.
Gardens, Shopping & Park Recreation
Beyond its historic museums, QMC functions as a lush municipal park equipped with walking and biking trails, sports courts, children’s playgrounds, and the Circle of Fun amusement zone.
QMC Park
The park features a flower garden, tropical garden, fern garden, children’s playground, Circle of Fun amusement rides, walking and biking trails, and sports courts. It’s a go-to spot for morning jogs, afternoon strolls, and family picnics.
When my mother and I want to breathe fresher air, escape the noise of the city, and reconnect with nature without going too far from home—since we also live in Quezon City—we come here for merienda. We used to go to La Mesa Eco Park, but I think that place has gotten a little sad.
QMC Garden Center
If you’re a plantita, Quezon Memorial Circle is a great place to shop! They sell orchids, herbs, bonsai, cacti, succulents, ornamentals, soil, fertilizers, pots, garden accessories, and more. The plants and gardening items are very affordable.
- We bought stevia for only ₱50.
- A dwarf snake plant (Sansevieria) was just ₱250.
- Regular-sized pots were only ₱60 each.
- A coco pole cost just ₱50. And the soil I bought was only ₱60 too!
Quezon Memorial Circle Herbal Products Stalls
There are herbal product stalls beside the food stalls and the parking area—you just have to look for them. My mother bought liniment oil and all-natural powdered drinks. I bought pure honey from Sagada for ₱250, and an all-natural soap for just ₱30!
Quezon Memorial Circle Food Stalls
There are plenty of food options to choose from—ihaw-ihaw, lugaw, common street food on sticks, dynamite, buko juice, various types of juice, and even rice meals. It’s nice to eat under the trees, al fresco style.
Also read: Robinsons Magnolia
Eco-Friendly Practices & Waste Management
Okay, so this is definitely not an attraction, but I find the waste segregation here truly inspirational. I also noticed that Quezon Memorial Circle promotes the use of less plastic. On the opposite side of the Quezon Memorial Circle is Quezon City Hall, where employees and nearby food stalls follow the same practice. I even saw some employees bring their own empty lunch boxes and ask the vendors to put their food there instead of using styrofoam or microwavable containers.
In Summary
