Quezon City Archives - Page 19 of 25

A shrine for the Revolution’s Grand Old Lady

October 28, 2014August 30, 2012 by The Urban Roamer

If there is one real-life proof that can be shown to the adage that “one can never be too old for anything,” our history provides such in the life of Melchora Aquino, (1812-1919) the “Grand Old Lady of the Revolution” popularly known to many as “Tandang Sora.”

In her 80’s, as the Philippine Revolution was beginning to unfold and would eventually break out, she helped provide a venue for secret meetings for the revolutionaries, giving them comfort, shelter, and even medical aid to those wounded in battle. While she never fought in battle, revolutionaries and the Spanish authorities recognize her invaluable contributions to the revolution. In fact, the Spaniards deemed as dangerous enough that she was arrested and sent to exile in Guam. She would eventually return as the Americans took over the administration of the country and would live on until her death at the very age of 107.

Pugad Lawin: where the revolution was born (or so they say)

September 2, 2019August 23, 2012 by The Urban Roamer

In the annals of Philippine history, no event has been depicted with such color as the “Cry of Pugad Lawin,” an event in which the formerly secret Katipunan movement of Andres Bonifacio decided to wage a revolt against the Spanish colonial government to gain independence. It was a bold decision symbolized by that bold act by the Katipuneros led by the movement’s Supremo (leader) Andres Bonifacio of tearing up their cedulas or residence certificates which were seen as a symbol of their subservience to Spain in a place called Pugad Lawin (Hawk’s Nest) on August 3, 1896. The rest, they say, is history, the Philippine Revolution in this particular case.

At the same time, no event has also brought so much controversy as this particular event. Even today, questions are still being raised about the veracity of the venue and date ever since these details were raised by Philippine historian Teodoro Agoncillo as the “definitive” information regarding ”the Cry.” (then known as the Cry of Balintawak, but then again, Pugad Lawin was considered before as part of the greater area of Balintawak which adds more confusion to an already-confusing issue) But we will let the historians carry on with the debate in this issue as the rest us will at least take the present facts presented to us as the “definitive” history.

A wildlife sanctuary in the city

August 5, 2012 by The Urban Roamer

In an era of rapid and somewhat unchecked urbanization, it is always the city’s open green spaces that are endangered the most. The case is no different as to what has been going in Metro Manila in recent history, as open spaces had to give to way to the needs of a city’s alarmingly overflowing … Read more

The great Sunday market of the North

August 3, 2014July 28, 2012 by The Urban Roamer

Weekend markets have been sprouting all over in the metropolis for the past few years. In the midst of what may look like a crowded affair, there are a proud few that stand out for their longevity (in this case, those existing for more than 5 years) and the loyal patrons who regularly spend their weekends there. One of those proud few is the feature of this entry today: the SIDCOR Sunday Market, known to some as the great weekend market of the north.

The SIDCOR Sunday Market also happens to be one of the oldest (if not the oldest) weekend markets regularly held in the Metropolitan Manila area, having been in existence since 2000. It was the brainchild of Susan Arcega, who thought of holding a Sunday market as a means to help out a Catholic group she belongs to. The first venue was near Quezon City’s Cubao district, at a lot at the corner of EDSA and Main St.