Quezon City gets busy for diamond jubilee

Mayor Herbert Bautista INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Quezon City marks its 75th year of cityhood this month as it forges partnership and participation among its six districts to celebrate its diamond jubilee.

Mayor Herbert Bautista kicks off the celebrations with his State of the City Address on Oct. 6. “The 75th year celebration of cityhood gives us the perfect opportunity to show off what Quezon City has to offer,” Bautista said in a statement. “There is so much to celebrate and look forward to in the coming weeks. This is why we are inviting everyone to become part of our city’s many celebrations as we show our support and pride as residents.”

There is an ongoing Scout Jamborette until Oct. 5 at Quezon Memorial Circle (QMC) while there will be a Senior Citizens Walk on Oct. 4. From Oct. 3 to 12, there will be novena Masses in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary at city hall.

Also on Oct. 6, the QC App will be launched along with the QC Diamond Jubilee coffee table book, commemorative coin, commemorative stamps and the QC Mural of History. The day will also mark the start of the Super QC Sale in all eight SM malls in the city, which ends on Oct. 12.

A “Grand Diamond Salubong” is set on Oct. 11, featuring marchers and dancers from each of the city’s six districts. There will be friendly competitions, concerts, street parties and fireworks displays at various locations: QMC; Roosevelt-Del Monte (District 1); Sandiganbayan (2); Araneta and Anonas (3); Maginhawa and Tomas Morato Streets (4); Quirino Highway (5); and Mindanao Avenue (6).

To be held simultaneously with the Grand Diamond Salubong on Oct. 11 are a citywide medical mission, job fairs, fun run, senior citizens’ program, sports exhibition, skateboard competition, volleyball tournament, rock concert and “Martsa ng Musiko” as well as a food festival on Maginhawa Street.

Health and wellness advocacies as well as project launches will complete the string of activities on Oct. 12. To be launched are the Quezon City Airship (a 60-foot-long, helium-powered balloon that will rise to the city skies at about 400 feet) and the Zumba Fitness Outdoor Party (a high-energy celebration of fitness and community camaraderie with a goal to make a new Guinness world record for the largest Zumba party) at the QMC at 4 p.m.

There will be a “Misa ng Bayan” and a parade of floats starting from the QMC to the respective districts. Other events at the QMC include a “Palarong Pinoy” and Concert at the Park. There will also be an October Beer Festival at Eton Centris.

The day will be capped with the Gawad Parangal Grand Night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum when the city will honor its outstanding citizens and companies.

Other events are the “Diskwento Caravan” on Oct. 15; health and wellness fair, Oct. 16 to 17; mass blood donation, Oct. 17; antipneumonia immunization for senior citizens, Oct. 18; “Novaliches Got Talent,” Oct. 24; “Indakan ng mga Estudyante sa QC at Amoranto Sports Complex,” Oct. 19; and Diamond Jubilee Cup: QC 75 Inter-Barangay Street Soccer Tournament, Oct. 15 to 31.

Before the yearend, there will be an international film festival at Trinoma, underpass photo exhibit, HIV awareness campaign, international marathon, Pride March and the formal unveiling of the Quezon City Museum.

Visit the Facebook page of the Quezon City Diamond Jubilee for updates.