BELMONTE
The local government of Quezon City, which promotes itself as the “City of Stars,” is setting aside some P100 million to develop an “entertainment boulevard,” a leisure strip dedicated to the movie and television industry.
The project’s target area is Sgt. Esguerra Avenue in Barangay South Triangle, with Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte heading the technical working group.
The development plan will include an inventory of vacant lots or properties in the area that can be used for movie- or TV-themed projects, from screening venues, museums, pocket parks, specially designed sidewalks and crossings, archways and signs.
So far, at least seven “underutilized” properties have been included in the inventory.
The city council earlier approved a resolution calling on the city government to erect 10 road arches bearing the message: “Welcome to Quezon City, the City of Stars.”
The arches are to be installed at Quezon City’s boundaries with Rizal and Bulacan provinces, and with the cities of Caloocan, Manila, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Pasig and Marikina.
In 1998, the city government adopted the moniker City of Stars to boast the various TV networks and movie production companies it hosts.