Quezon City

Quezon City
Name	Quezon City
Settlement type	Highly urbanized city
Nickname	"QC", "City of the Stars"
Motto	"Lungsod ng mga Bituin"
Established title	Founded
Established date	October 12, 1939
Founder	Manuel L. Quezon
Named for	Manuel L. Quezon
Seat type	District
Seat	Legislative districts of Quezon City
Government type	Sangguniang Panlungsod
Leader title	Mayor
Leader name	Joy Belmonte
Leader title1	Vice Mayor
Leader name1	Gian Sotto
Area total km2	171.71
Population total	2,960,048
Population as of	2020
Population density km2	auto
Population rank	1st in the Philippines
Population demonym	Quezonian, *QCitizen*
Timezone	Philippine Standard Time
Coordinates	14, 39, N, 121...
Website	quezoncity.gov.ph

Quezon City. It is the most populous city in the Philippines and a principal component of the Metro Manila region. Founded to serve as the future national capital, it held the title from 1948 until 1976, when Manila was reinstated by a decree from Ferdinand Marcos. Today, it remains a major hub of governance, commerce, education, and culture, housing key national institutions and a vibrant, diverse population.

History

The city was officially established on October 12, 1939, through Commonwealth Act No. 502, championed by President Manuel L. Quezon as a planned capital to replace the congested Manila. Its development was interrupted by the Japanese occupation of the Philippines during World War II, a period marked by significant conflict, including the Battle of Manila and fierce resistance in areas like the Battle of the Sierra Madre. After the war, it became the official capital in 1948 under Republic Act No. 333, with major government buildings like the Quezon Memorial Circle being constructed. The capital was transferred back to Manila via Presidential Decree No. 940, signed by Ferdinand Marcos, but Quezon City retained its prominence as the home of the Batasang Pambansa and the Supreme Court of the Philippines.

Geography

Located on the northeastern portion of the Metro Manila basin, the city is bordered by Caloocan and Valenzuela to the west, and San Juan and Mandaluyong to the south. Its terrain is relatively flat, sloping gently towards the Marikina River, which forms part of its eastern boundary with Marikina. Notable geographic features include the La Mesa Watershed Reservation, a critical ecological reserve and the primary source of water for the metropolis, and the Quezon Memorial Circle, a large national park located at the city's center. The city is subdivided into 142 barangays, organized into six legislative districts.

Demographics

With a population of nearly three million as of the 2020 census conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority, it is the country's largest city. The population is a diverse mix, with significant communities of migrants from across the Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao regions. Major languages spoken include Filipino and English, with a variety of regional languages such as Cebuano and Ilocano also in use. Religious affiliation is predominantly Roman Catholic, with notable presence from the Iglesia ni Cristo, whose central temple is located in the city, and various Protestant denominations.

Economy

The city hosts a robust and diversified economy, serving as the headquarters for major Philippine corporations like San Miguel Corporation and ABS-CBN Corporation. It is a center for the information technology and business process outsourcing industries, with major hubs in districts like Eastwood City and Araneta City. Key commercial areas include the Cubao commercial center, the TriNoma and SM City North EDSA mall complexes, and the emerging Vertis North development. The presence of the University of the Philippines Diliman and other major universities also fosters a significant knowledge-based economy.

Government

As a Highly urbanized city, it is independent of any provincial government and is administered by a mayor, currently Joy Belmonte, and a vice mayor, Gian Sotto, with legislative power vested in the Sangguniang Panlungsod. The city is represented in the Congress of the Philippines by six legislative districts. It houses critical national government institutions, including the House of Representatives of the Philippines at the Batasang Pambansa Complex, the Commission on Audit, and the Department of Justice. Local governance is decentralized through the city's 142 barangays, each with its own elected officials.

Culture and society

The city is a major cultural nexus, home to iconic broadcasting networks like ABS-CBN and GMA Network, and the University of the Philippines Diliman, a premier institution for arts and education. Key cultural landmarks include the Art Deco-style Quezon Memorial Circle, the Catholic Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene (Quiapo Church), and the modern Smart Araneta Coliseum. It hosts major annual events such as the UP Lantern Parade and the QCinema International Film Festival. The city's culinary and nightlife scenes are vibrant in areas like Tomas Morato Avenue and Maginhawa Street, reflecting its dynamic and youthful population.

Category:Quezon City Category:Highly urbanized cities in the Philippines Category:Populated places established in 1939