It’s been years since I last wandered at the Araneta Center and yes, a lot have changed for the better. Down the memory lane, it is a popular place for entertainment. You can find a lot of cinemas and malls here. The big dome and the famous Fiesta carnival, the favorite hang-out of Filipino kids.
Thanks to the QC Blogventure, I was able to explore Araneta Center today and see it’s new offerings for the public to enjoy.
During the tour, my colleagues shared a lot of memories about Cubao. An example of our lively discussion was The New Frontier Cinema. It opened in 1967 and was known as Asia’s largest cinema. Today it is known as The Kia Theatre.
The theatre orchestra capacity is up to 2,301 and 2,700 for standing patrons.
The newly renovated lodge has comfortable chairs.
Just in front of the Kia Theatre is the Rustan’s Tower and Gateway Mall. I never thought that I can find a pocket park in the heart of Cubao.
I’m talking about The Topiary Garden that nestled at the 5th floor of the Gateway Mall. Best view here is during sunset and well, at night.
Passing by the Topiary Garden, you can reach the Gateway Gallery. It’s the largest cultural destination in Quezon City that promotes industry, culture and education.
Currently, Sining Saysay exhibits Philippine History in Arts. It is a product of five years collaboration among University of the Philippines, the UP Alumni Association, and the Araneta Center.
You can find 30 large history and thematic paintings inside.
A few more steps outside Gateway Mall is the Big Dome now the Smart-Araneta Coliseum. It opened on March 16, 1960, and became historical during Flash Elorde’s triumph over Harold Gomes with 36,000 crowd. One of most dramatic boxing matches in history happened in the Araneta Coliseum in 1975. It was the ever famous Thrilla in Manila by boxing icons Muhhamad Ali and Joe Frazier.
The Araneta Coliseum is also the home of Binibining Pilipinas and the Philippine Basketball Association or PBA games.
Also a few blocks away is The Farmers Market that opened in 1974. It is also known as the bagsakan ng kalakal from the provinces. Best buy here are the seafoods, though the prices of fruits, meat and vegetables are also cheaper compared to other markets.
You can find Timbangan ng Bayan in some points of the market. It was a model project that the local government implemented it in all public markets in the city.
Farmers Market also houses Dampa, the famous paluto, where the stalls cook your freshly bought products in the market for an affordable price.
Aside from the commercial and entertainment structures, the Araneta Center is evolving into a live-work-play environment. It currently boasts its residential towers like the Manhattan Parkview Garden and internationally known hotels like The Novotel.
Novotel soft-opens today, October 12. It has 401 hotel rooms and suites.
Novotel has exceptional venues for occasions like the grand ballroom, the soon to be finished bridal garden and a 360-degree view of the Metro Manila skyline. For business matters, they have six meeting rooms and boardrooms.
After the tour inside Novotel. We proceeded at the Mowelfund Museum at 66 Rosario Drive where we were briefed about the history of Philippine cinema.
Old memorabilia and other stuff of Philippine movie icons are in the house.
You can also find old props and equipment used in film-making.
Mowelfund still offers filmmaking and scriptwriting lessons. You can learn from the pro for a fee of P40,000.
It’s my first time in Pambansang Museo ng Pelikula and honestly, it needs the support from the current showbiz industry and personalities.
Our five-hour tour started while having lunch in Four Season’s Buffet and Hot Pot in Manhattan Parkview, Araneta Center and ended at Gerry’s Grill Timog.
To sum it up, I have learned a lot of new things from the Blogventure. It is really worth knowing the history of your home, learning how it was before and how it evolve today is really nurturing, amazing and inspiring. It is something worth sharing for future generations to live, love and value.
Nice of you to experience this adventure in Araneta Center. Truly it’s different now than before, in the 80’s and 90’s.
I’ve always been in Cubao back when I was a student because back then, we resided near the area. Clearly, there had been so many new establishments that made Araneta Center a great place to visit. I just hope that they improve their Dampa because it’s getting out of date compared to other branches.
I watched the MLQ Musical Play at the KIA Theater last QC Day celebration. Brand spanking new. The next big show there is the concert of The Jets. I do wish we can get to watch that nostalgia show.
At first I was like, what’s there to explore in Araneta Center? But turns out, A LOT! Who knew, right?
Cubao has always been a landmark of cultural sorts. 🙂 i’m happy that a lot of businesses have invested to maintain (and improve) the area and it’s never looked as good and exciting as it does today. Hope to come around too sometime soon! Kudos for the insider tips!
I haven’t explored much of the Araneta Center. They do have a complete area from their stores, hotel and of course their stadium.
This place looks nice though I haven’t visited the place but bookmark this place when visiting next time.
What an action-packed day! I loved reading about your experience in Araneta Center especially the little museum 😀
Mowelfund offers filmmaking and scriptwriting lessons? Will it be in English or your native language?
It will be nice to go there and learn!
This was all in Cubao? Wow! Never thought there are so many other things to see there aside from the Araneta Center and the ukay shops. Hehe. I’m very interested to see the art and the Mowelfund Museum.
There are so many facilities and things to do at Araneta Center. Kind of one stop center here.
I love the paintings. Have you watched theatrical shows there?
YEAH! Super iba na itsura ng Araneta-Cubao area now. I get lost na kaya just going to Gateway.
The last time I’ve been to Araneta Center is way back the 80s. wow! what a transformation . New Frontier cinema, a very familiar and memorable place to me.. I must visit AC and check out that Mowelfund Museum..
Would really like go here and make a review din C: looks interesting
I’d never thought those paces are hidden in Cubao. I can totally relate to the nostalgic childhood memories I had there. Haha.
Thank you for letting us experience the tour through your blog. I never thought that Novotel is that beautiful inside, I guess I should try staying there.
This is the time I wish I live in the metro T.T There are a lot of interesting places to visit 🙂
I haven’t been here but when I saw the paintings, if I am not mistaken it is featured at the movie Heneral Luna! And I must say what a clean public market!
That’s right. Laki na ng improvement sa Araneta Center, compared to how it looks like way back. Dami na mapupuyat yan ngayon.
Awww… so sad to missed this Blogventure. Im from QC and the places you posted here is just a stone’s throw away from my house. Happy you had fun and enjoyed QC.I frequent Gateway, But twas only 2 weeks ago that I was able to go to Topiary Garden. Nice place 🙂
I am quite near gateway and it sucks that I was not able to tour the place like this. Anyhow, i like the pictures. 🙂
Cubao is like the mecca of QC, and this post just proves it. Would definitely visit Mowelfund Musuem.
I haven’t been back to Araneta Center in a long while, years actually. 6 years back, I’ve always frequented the Farmer’s Market in Cubao and remember always having fresh buko juice at Dampa before going home. The produce, meat and poultry there are just stunning, even though a bit pricey in some stalls. A lot has changed from the looks of it! I definitely need to visit Araneta Center one of these days, and soon!
I haven’t visited Areneta Center, coz mainly I’m from the south and travelling there is just, whew.. So anyway, I’d love to check out the place soon!
Amazing! I would like to visit these places soon when I’ll be aorund the area. The Mowelfund Museum seems interesting! 🙂
Oh! There is a lot at Araneta Center. I got interested to The Kia Theater, it looks really nice. And the museum, i love museum. I will explore it soon. Thanks for sharing.
I’ve never been to this places in Araneta… We’ve been checking the new Novotel hotel and was planning for a staycation there sometime soon… Those gallery of paintings and the topiary at gateway looks interesting to me! 🙂
Novotel looks like a nice pace to stay! Also, every time I go to Araneta, it’s always for something else, so I never get to actually explore what it has to offer. Thanks for “doing most of the work” for me! Haha
Wala bang speech si Roxas? (joke)
Kidding aside, the new Kia Theater looks nice, will it be for film exhibition or stage plays?. Likewise, I never thought there was in Gateway mall. Must checked these when I visit the area.
When i was studying at TIP QC – ako yung estudyanteng taong Cubao. After that, when i already had work, minsan na lang makapunta. Last 2 weeks, i went to Cubao at Gateway and I noticed that big new building. That is the Kia Center pala. Wow. Ganda! And. When i was in college, yung 5th floor ng Gateway wala pa yan. I think i need to go again. 🙂 how can i join that Blogventure? I want to join! Hehehe.
I’ve been going to Araneta center for concerts and basketball games but I never knew there was this much to explore. I want to see that pambansang museo ng pelikula and the other things you posted. Love the grass trimmed to look like elephants. Wow, you just gave me a different place to explore. Who knew exploring your own backyard could be as much fun.
Would like to attend concert in Araneta and see how does it look likes when its full. Nice photos!
I remember Fiesta Carnival! I only moved back to the province in 2014 and I had visited Cubao at that time. But it seems a lot of development has happened as well that were not there two years back! Now, I only get to visit Manila a few times and only stay for a day or two that I never get to see all these progress. Thanks for the post!
I have never been to Araneta Center but the Topiary Garden is really catchin my attention/… I would love to visit this family-friendly place someday as well as that intriguing Mowelfund museum!
thanks for giving us a tour through your photos!
Have been here, but haven’t visited the museum too. As a film student, it is a must-visit for me.
-Gino
I like the interior of Novotel and the comfy bed, I’ve haven’t been in Araneta but will explore this soon, thanks for sharing!
Wow! I live in Cubao and I pass by these places on my way home from work! Haha. I have never heard of the museum tho 😛 I should definitely check it out. Is it walking distance from Gateway Mall?
nice! humahabol na ang Cubao sa mga business districts! i’ve never liked going there particularly because the commute is horrible and it looks like an old and dirty district, didn’t think a lot is going on already. it looks inviting now!
Johna, the museum is located at the 5th floor of Gateway Mall.