It's the Thought that Counts

Bakya Key Chains from El Nido, Palawan

A pasalubong does not need to be expensive and grand. A simple key chain like this will do. It's the thought that counts.

Quezon Memorial Shrine at Night

It's one of those days when you suddenly feel like going out and eventually find yourself strolling in a place where interesting things are all around.

Quezon City Circle is 30 minutes away from my place.

It is an ellipse-shaped 20-hectare park bounded by the Elliptical Road. You can walk and jog as there is a paved lane roundabout that circles the monument. It also has an indoor and outdoor amusement playgrounds, chains of eateries, a fountain like those found in typical plazas, and a significant chunk of wilderness.

At night, a musical dancing fountain is shown. In the morning, there are different fitness groups that hold an open-for-everyone activities such as taebo and zumba which I have been planning to join in since I-can't-remember-when. It remains a plan as waking up very early is the biggest challenge. The monument is located at the center where the remains of the late President Manuel Quezon are laid. The mausoleum is right underneath the monument.

The building of this was started in the 1940's and it was originally intended to house a bigger National Government Center, which would include the sites for the three branches of the government. However, it was never materialized and only the foundation of the structures were made because World War II interrupted the construction.