Quezon Memorial Circle

* The current location of the presently known Quezon Memorial Circle was originally planned to have been an area in Quezon City, where the National Capitol was supposed to be built. * In 1940 when the cornerstone for the structure was laid, the foundation was the only part of the structure positioned because the construction was disrupted by the start of the Second World War in the Philippines. * Right after World War II, an executive order about the agreement of the creation of a Quezon Memorial Committee was made and announced by President Sergio Osmeña. His purpose was to raise funds through the use of public subscription in order to elevate a monument for his predecessor, President Manuel Luis Quezon. From all the designs submitted, the one created by Federico Ilustre was chosen (“Quezon Memorial,” n.d.).

DESCRIPTION
* The monument would consist of three vertical pylons (representing the three main geographic divisions of the country: Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao * 66 meters (217 ft) tall (Quezon’s age when he died)

* surmounted by three mourning angels holding sampaguita (the national flower) wreaths sculpted by the Italian sculptor Monti * The three pylons would in turn circumscribe a drum-like two-story structure containing a gallery from which visitors could look down at Quezon’s catafalque, modeled after Napoleon Bonaparte’s in the Invalides. The gallery and the catafalque below are lit by an oculus, in turn reminiscent of Grant’s Tomb.

ELEMENTS ON SITE PLANNING
LOCATION:
* The Quezon Memorial Circle is a national park and shrine located in Quezon City, former capital of the Philippines(1948–1976) * The park is an ellipse bounded by the Elliptical Road. Its main feature is a mausoleum containing the remains of Manuel L. Quezon, the second President of the Philippines, and his wife, First Lady Aurora Quezon.

EXISTING STRUCTURES and FACILITIES:
* central plaza and the promenades are where the old structures used to be the old rusting fountain with dancing waters and light bands that turned into a center of attraction * the Circle of Joy (amusement park)

* restaurants
* sports facilities
* Quezon Memorial
* The Quezon City government also built two underground pedestrian passageways from PHILCOA and Quezon City Hall, for greater public accessibility. * two smaller museums were built: one containing the presidential memorabilia of Quezon, and the other containing items on the history of Quezon City, were installed within the monument itself.

HUMAN and CULTURE:
* Quezon Memorial Circle (QMC) is visited by an average 8,000 people daily and 12,000 on weekends. * In fact, it is a most favored park to visit during these special occasions as it offers a lot of things for each member of the family.

CLIMATE:
* Distinct dry season from December to April and wet season from May to November. Normal annual rainfall total is 2,431.9mm, with the maximum mean monthly total rains being experienced in August with 517.11 mm and the minimum in February with 7.4 mm.

CIRCULATION:
* The entranceways, from Commonwealth and Quezon Avenues, are now more open and welcoming of the public with no more disorganized clumps of trees and makeshift barriers. * a newly created two underpasses in the East and South make visitors easily reach inside the park.

NATURAL PHYSICAL FEATURES:
SLOPE AND TOPOGRAPHY:
* largely rolling with alternating ridges and lowlands. * Steep portions are evident in the eastern part of the city which run parallel to
the Marikina River and the Valley Fault Zone. * The City’s slope is generally manageable ranging from less than 8% to 15%. SOIL CONDITION:

* A survey of the Bureau of Soils showed that the predominant soil type in Quezon City is commonly called adobe and mainly characterized as hard and compact.

NEIGHBORHOOD CONTEXT:
* Quezon City Hall
* Lung Center
* Lungsod ng Kabataan
* Department of Agriculture
* Bureau of Agricultural Extension
* Philippine Tobacco Authority
* Department of Agrarian Reform
* Philippine Coconut Authority
* GSIS
* National Housing Authority

INTERVIEW
12 December 2012 (Around 2:30-3:0 pm)

Interview with Sir Mel (visitor)
Vik: Good Afternoon sir. Pwede po ba kayo mainterview?
Sir Mel: Sure sure.
Vik: Okay. Um, Bakit po kayo nagawi dito?
Sir Mel: Ano lang naman. Family bonding kami.
Vik: So, madalas dalas narin po kayo dito?
Sir Mel: Hindi naman, kapag may oras lang kaming pamilya.
Vik: Okay okay. Ano naman po yung mga facilities dito na nagustuhan niyo po? Sir Mel: Gusto namin yung go kart, nageenjoy yung mga bata tapos kapag gabi naman, papanuorin naming yung fountain. Pati rin pala yung Amusement Park Vik: Ahhh, eh ano naman po ‘yung mga hindi niyo gusto dito sa QMC? Sir Mel: Okay naman siya e, makalat lang kung minsan. Di kasi nagtatapon sa tamang lugar mga tao. HAHAHA. Pero okay naman siya. Vik: Last question po, ano posa tingin niyo yung marerecommend niyo po dito sa QMC. Sir Mel: Bukod siguro maraming basurahan? Tsaka medyo maraming bakanteng lote, sana madevelop pa nila yun. Vik: Okay po. Ayos na po yun. Thank you po!

12 December 2012 (Around 4:00-5:00pm)

Interview with Manong Sonny (maintenance)
Dyeb: Magandang umaga, Pwede po mainterview po kayo?
Manong: O sige.
Dyeb: Andami pong tao ngayon no? Tuwing kailan po ba dito as in yung sobrang daming tao? Manong: Ay, syempre kapag bakasyon. Araw araw di mabilang ang tao dito. Pero kung ngayon tuwing Linggo madalas marami. Dyeb: Ano ano naman po ‘yung mga klase ng tao na pumupunta dito? Manong: Ano, pamipamilya. Yung iba, nagdadate. Yung iba, nagkokodakan. Marami ring tambay lang tsaka yung mga nagjojogging. Dyeb: Ahhh, ano naman po ‘yung ayaw niyo dito sa QMC?

Manong: Mahirap maglinis. Ang laki kasi nito e. Tapos patapos na yung araw, marami talagang basura Dyeb: Ay, oonga po at last, ano naman po yung pinakagusto niyo dito. Manong: Um, pwede kahit sino dito. Libre, pang masa! Tsaka marami kang makikita dito at mga pwedeng gawin at kainan! Dyeb: Okay po. Thank you!

DATA ANALYSIS:

* Private vehicles were all over the pathways were people could freely walk and play. These vehicles utilize the spaces that should be, in the first place, be maximized by the people visiting the area. Thus, it leads to the current problem on congestion of cars along those paths, for there are no sufficient parking spaces designated for visitors. * Litters and garbage were all over the place. These abrade the beauty and purpose of the area, which can therefore imply its lack of proper garbage disposal system as well as maintenance. * Present sidewalks were just too narrow for pedestrians to use properly.

* There were fountains that were not being maximized and are very bare to look at. Most likely, these fountains can only become a breeding ground for disease-carrying insects if not attended to properly. * QMC lacks reminders or guidelines that address the purpose of educating people on what they need to do. Vacant spaces which primarily served as “playing fields” for football, archery, and other leisure sport were seemed to be neglected and now had grown tall bushes despite the fact that some players may actually still use the area for their practices. * Moreover, there are also too many tiangge or bazaars that cause pollution and do not really live up to the purpose of the recreational area. In fact, these stalls or establishments were all mixed up, which can cause confusion to those visitors who are not familiar with the area but would want to buy food or purchase souvenirs.

CONCLUSIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS:
PROPOSED PLAN FOR BEAUTIFICATION
1. A new master plan for the zoning of the Quezon Memorial Circle will be implemented. There will be the monument and museum area, flora and fauna area, picnic area, physical fitness area, entertainment area, concession area and parking area. * Picnic/ Family Area

– a green area will be developed. There will be a grass area with shady trees for family picnics. The trees will be provided with individual signs featuring their scientific and common names and other related information in English and Filipino for educational purposes. This area would be ideal for people to relax and spend quality time together. * Monument and Museum

– Being the focal point of the park, the Quezon Monument will be refurbished, secured and protected from vandals by means of a green buffer zone. It will be enhanced with flowering and scented plants for morning appreciation and with colored lights in dramatic hues for the evening effect. * Flora and Fauna

– There will be an area for tamed animals that are easy to maintain such as birds and butterflies amidst a garden of scented and multi colored flowering plants. Along the foot path the scientific and common names of the animal and flower species in English and Filipino will be indicated for educational purposes.

2. The Quezon Memorial Circle will be re-developed using green technology. It will be provided with solar panels for renewable energy, gray water system for water recycling, waste management, energy efficient and energy saving lighting and toilet fixtures. All materials to be used will be durable, long lasting under heavy usage and easy to maintain.

3. Cleanliness, sanitation and hygiene will be utmost concern. Trash receptacles (biodegradable and non-biodegradable) will be spread throughout the park. Comfort rooms will be abundant and regularly and properly maintained. There will also be some Pay Comfort Rooms with toilet amenities. 4. Directional and informative signages both in Filipino and English languages will be abundant, readable and illuminated at night. Filipino verses will also be visible in strategic locations for appreciation of the Filipino language and literature.

5. Park goers will be given a sense of security by police visibility and roaming guards. Closed circuit television cameras (CCTV) will be installed at strategic locations.