Home to around 2.9 million residents, Quezon City is the most populous city in the Philippines. It’s also the biggest in Metro Manila in terms of land area. It’s a planned city that was supposed to serve as the country’s capital. But while things didn’t go as planned, the city still has plenty of feathers on its metaphorical cap. QC, as it is often called, is a hub for business, commerce, and entertainment, and it consistently earns a high spot in the list of most competitive places in the country. It’s a good place to live and do business in, and the people living in the city have plenty of things to do and discover in their free time without going beyond the city limits.
If you’re staying in one of the many hotels in Quezon City for leisure or for business, you too have a chance of discovering the best that the city has to offer. You can get started by visiting any of the museums and galleries in the area. Here are five places that should make it to your itinerary.
Art in Island in Cubao
The biggest 3D art gallery in the country has earned the moniker “selfie museum” because of the many IG-worthy photo opportunities that it provides its visitors. Playing with one’s sense of space and proportion, the gallery offers backgrounds that frame people in incredible situations. You can pose in front of a 3D rendering of a dinosaur as if you’re in danger of becoming its lunch, for example, or you can balance yourself effortlessly in front of a wall that features a surfboard and a big wave. The gallery is
open from 12 noon to 8 in the evening and admits visitors until 6PM. Make sure your camera or phone is fully charged and has lots of free space for all the pics you’ll take.
The Jorge B. Vargas Museum in UP Diliman
If you’re curious about contemporary art, then Vargas Museum has you covered. This 3-story museum and research center for all things Filipiniana serves as a dedicated space for Philippine art and culture. It hosts physical and virtual exhibitions that feature the work of local artists, researchers, and curators. At the same time, the museum has permanent exhibits and offers its online visitors educational modules on art and society, moving images, public art, and sound and movement, among other topics. Vargas
Museum is open from 9AM to 5PM from Tuesday to Saturday.
Quezon City Experience at the Quezon Memorial Shrine
Often referred to as QCX, the Quezon City Experience Museum offers a detailed account of how Quezon City as we know it today came to be. It’s a celebration of a colorful history and rich culture that invites the public to get to know the city better. It has interactive exhibits that focus on the life and administration of the city’s namesake, the former Philippine President Manuel Quezon, including a replica of his office in Malacañang Palace and a hill where he supposedly stood as he viewed the landscape of the city that would bear his name. There are also sections here dedicated to urban legends, like the white lady said to haunt Balete Drive.
Arts Above along West Avenue
Celebrate your love for theater, film, music, and visual arts by dedicating an afternoon to the Arts Above, a museum and coffee shop rolled into one. In addition to setting the spotlight on theater and the performing arts, the museum is also a space for learning, watching artists in motion, and enjoying good coffee and pastries. The art gallery and performance and events venue is open between 3PM and 8PM.
Armed Forces of the Philippines Museum in Camp Aguinaldo
The AFP Museum is a perfect destination for those who want to know more about the country’s military history. Found within Camp Aguinaldo, it showcases the history and development of the Philippine Army, Navy, and Air Force. It has a wall displaying images of the brave individuals who have received the Medal of Valor, the highest military honor awarded in the country. Included in the exhibits are different uniforms and vehicles used by military forces in the country. Notable among the museum’s collections are the letters that Emilio Aguinaldo and Apolinario Mabini exchanged concerning Antonio Luna. The
museum is open between 9AM and 6PM.
Spending an afternoon in any of these museums is a great way to know more about QC and its people. Before you visit, though, plan your itinerary well and check the opening hours of these spaces. It’s also a good idea to wear walking shoes so you’ll feel comfortable while perusing the extensive collection housed in these structures. In case you feel hungry, you’ll be happy to know that many of these destinations are located close to food outlets and coffee shops, so you won’t have a hard time finding food and drinks in case exploring the galleries makes you hungry. Enjoy your tour!
