The Quirino Grandstand in Manila was named after Elpidio Rivera Quirino, (November 16, 1890 – February 29, 1956), the 6th President of the Philippines and a lawyer by profession. This is the location where most Presidents of the Philippines took their oath of office and present their first message to the nation. It was only Emilio Aguinaldo (1st President of the Philippines) and Joseph Ejercito Estrada (13th President of the Philippines who were inaugurated at Barasoain Church, the site where the first democratic constitution of the Philippines was drafted.
Many important cultural, religious and political events after the war era have been held in Quirino Grandstand including the gigantic celebrations that capped the 1998 Philippine Centennial Celebration which culminated in the greatest fireworks display ever witnessed over Manila Bay during that time. It was the festivity after a century since the declaration of independence from Spain.
Other notable events that happened in Quirino Grandstand were the opening ceremony of the 2005 Southeast Asian Games on November 27, 2005 (it was held at an open-air park instead of a stadium, a historic first for a Southeast Asian games’ opening ceremony, it was again used on December 5, 2005 for the games’ closing ceremony), the International Missionary Day of the Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ on January 17, 2010 and the Rolando Mendoza hijacking incident of the Hong Thai Travel Services tour group causing 7 injuries and 8 fatal incidents.
Quirino Grandstand
Fronting the Quirino Grandstand is a 10-hectare lot which used to be entirely covered with carabao grass. On the sides are big trees including Mango, Talisay, Coconut trees among many others.
San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila Statue
About 300-meters going northeast is the statue of Blessed Lorenzo Ruiz of Manila. It is a gift of his holiness Pope John Paul II to the people of the Philippines on February 1984 to commemorate the beatification of the country’s glorious martyr. Meters away from the Lorenzo Ruiz Statue, is the Kilometer Zero which is along Roxas Blvd. Across the street is the Rizal Monument and Park.
At the back of Quirino Grandstand, about 100-meters away is the Hyatt Hotel and Casino and another 100-meters is the Ocean Park.
Kids buying pre-packed Ice Cream at Quirino
Quirino Grandstand and its park is the normal day-to-day park where children and adult strollers stay and play. Ice creams by scoop or pre-packed are sold here especially during hot climate to “keep the coolness” in you. There are souvenir items and toys that are sold on random locations. Karate and Arnis (stick fighting) training are sometimes held here. Youths and children are encouraged to join the sessions if they see one.
Manila Floating Hotel
Quirino Grandstand is an easy landmark. You will pass this place if you go to the more interesting spots such as Rizal Park or Ocean Park. Just take a peek outside the taxi’s window or you can choose to stay several minutes here and see some other interesting views such as the tall buildings of Manila, Manila Hotel and Manila Floating Hotel (a boat docked at Manila Port).
Karate Training at Quirino
Landscape - Full View of Quirino Grandstand
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About the author
Mark Anthony Maranga is an Educator-Parent to his 3 Homeschooling Kids. He sells Ice Cream and Balloons in Mandaue City, Cebu. Exploring the Philippines tourist attractions together with his family is his passion; they are learning without borders.
