The Cubao District is a wealthy part of the city, rich in mega-markets and large cultural buildings. This is the district that hosts some of the largest department stores chains. Araneta Center is a place worth seeing - both as an interesting building and as a cultural spot. The buildings are beautiful, and there are a few large parks as well. This tour will give you the opportunity to see life in Manila the way it really is - natural and free.
1) Stella Maris College
Stella Maris College is a private, Catholic, learning institution run by the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary. Located in Cubao, Quezon City, it was established in 1955, and it was once a school for girls. Now, this college accepts boys in its grade school and high school departments. Founded by the American Catholic missionary nuns, Stella Maris College is known for academic excellence. The grade school and high school departments provide training in mathematics, English, social sciences, and natural sciences. The school uniform is patterned after sailors' uniforms. The high school uniform has a white long-sleeved blouse, with blue marine collar and sailor's necktie. A series of buttons connects to the skirt. The primary school uniform is similar to the high school uniform except for the long sleeves, cravat, and a shorter dress.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and Tacit Requiem
Sight description based on wikipedia
2) Araneta Center-Cubao LRT Station
The station is the eighth station for trains headed to Santolan, and the fourth station for trains headed to Recto. The most recognizable landmark that the station is located near is Araneta Center, home to popular shopping malls such as Ali Mall and Gateway Mall. Araneta Center-Cubao LRT Station, usually called Cubao LRT Station, is a station on the Manila LRT Purple Line (MRT-2). The station is located in Cubao in Quezon City, and is named because of its location in the district of the same name and its location near the famed Araneta Center, which is one of the Philippines' most recognized shopping centers.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Icqgirl
Sight description based on wikipedia
3) Araneta Coliseum
Constructed between 1957 and 1959, the Araneta Coliseum is one of the largest clear span domes in the world. Built by J.Amado Araneta, the Coliseum is located in the Araneta Center in the Cubao region of Quezon City. With a floor area of 23,000 square meters and a dome with a diameter of 108 meters, it is arguably the largest indoor facility in Asia.
The Araneta Coliseum can easily be called as ‘Home of Philippine Basketball’. In addition to hosting the leagues of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), the Coliseum also holds many basketball Championships every year. It has a seating capacity of 15,000 for its basketball matches and 16,500 for other events. The Coliseum underwent renovation in 1999 at a cost of ₱200 million replaced seats in some sections and added a giant scoreboard. The scoreboard was replaced by a giant LED screen in 2010. Commonly known as the Big Cube, the LED screen has an area of 22 square meters and can display game statistics and can also operate in live- video mode.
The Araneta Coliseum regularly hosts plays, concerts and movie award functions. The Coliseum is equipped with excellent facilities and well connected by transportation. So, either to watch a game of basketball or catch a glimpse of your favorite star, visit the Araneta Coliseum.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and kharissa.alipio
4) Farmers Market
The Farmers Market is the place where one can find the best bargain when it comes to farm produce. However, over the years, the farmers are not the only vendors in this market. Various middlemen and businessmen sell agricultural produce here. Nevertheless, the Farmers Market is the destination if you are looking for good produce at competitive prices. Located in Cubao, the Farmers Market is located right next to the Cubao MRT station. It is well connected by all means of public transport and offers ample parking spaces for your own vehicle if you reach here early.
The Farmers Market consists of two floors, the upper one houses the fruits and vegetables market while the lower floor sells meat products. One can get a variety of interesting fruits and vegetables here along with the freshest stock of seafood. One can easily spot some imported produce on sale in this market. In addition, the market also sells flowers, kitchenware and other utensils. The market is usually busy in the mornings and early evenings. However, if you are keen on getting fresh produce, an early morning visit is recommended. The high roof and well lit areas make the market a picturesque place. So, do not forget to capture these memories when you visit the Farmers Market.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and John Loo
5) SM Cubao
SM Supermalls, owned by SM Prime Holdings Inc., is the largest chain of shopping malls in the Philippines. SM Prime Holdings has 36 malls across the country and four branches in China. The company that operates the malls was started by Henry Sy Sr. in the 1950s. Shoemart, as SM was then known, started as a chain of shoe stores with the first branch opening on Avenida Rizal, in Manila, in October 1958. By the 1970s, Shoemart became a full-line department store with branches in the Makati commercial center, followed by Cubao, which is at Harrison Plaza in Manila and Delgado, Iloilo. SM Malls is considered the pioneer of the shopping mall business in the Philippines. The popularity of these malls has paved the way for the retail industry's growth. Going to the malls, especially SM Malls, has become a part of the weekend urban culture of Filipinos.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Psalonzo93
Sight description based on wikipedia
6) The Araneta Mansion
This is a beautiful building, parts of which look like a French palace, with an extraordinary garden. White marble and white stone facade and walls, and a green, round roof make it all look like a grandiose shrine created by artists' hands. Columns are in Baroque style, with very nicely decorated capitals sustaining the roof. People in Manila love this place and it's usually crowded.