Metro Files: The Scouts Area, Quezon City

The Scouts Area near Diliman, Quezon City were named after the Philippine delegation of the 11th World Scout Jamboree, who were perished in a plane crash near modern-day Mumbai, India. The area encompasses Barangays South Triangle, Sacred Heart, Laging Handa, Paligsahan and Obrero, and borders Barangay Kamuning and West Kamias in the southeast, Roxas in the southwest, West Triangle in the northwest, Santa Cruz in the west, and Pinyahan in the east.

The most recognizable landmark is the rotonda in the intersection of Timog Avenue and Tomas Morato. It was originally built in memory of the Boy Scouts who perished on the way to Greece in 1963, and was later topped by the statue of former Quezon City mayor Tomas Morato. The stretch of T. Morato from Kamuning to Timog is stacked with restaurants of all classes, whether for economical or formal means. Some restaurants are also located within the residential communities. 

The tip of T. Morato faces the ABS-CBN broadcast center, which surrounds the triangle of Mother Ignacia, Sgt. Esguerra and Eugenio Lopez Streets. The latter street was originally named Scout Albano, but was later renamed after the ABS-CBN founder.

Rival station GMA occupies the intersection of EDSA and Timog Avenue, extending to the  Samar Avenue and GMA Network Drive. The latter street was originally named 11th Jamboree, until recently when the portion of the street from Timog to EDSA was renamed after GMA Network. The recently opened GMA Network Studios was built near the GMA Kamuning MRT station.

Roces Avenue is also a major artery in the Scouts Area, where its most recognizable landmark is the Amoranto Sports Complex. Named after another former Quezon City mayor, the Amoranto hosts sports events, but is best known for the annual staging of the Pulp Summerslam, where Pinoy rock fans convene to witness a concert featuring local and foreign rock acts.

Two hospitals are also located: the Dr. Jesus C. Delgado Memorial Hospital at Kamuning and Roces Extension, and the Capitol Medical Center in Quezon Avenue, Scout Magbanua and Panay Avenues. Three hotels are also located: the Hotel Rembrandt in Tomas Morato, the Century Palace Suites in Timog and Tomas Morato, and the Camelot Hotel in Mother Ignacia, Scout Tuason and Eugenio Lopez streets. 

The Scouts Area is mostly residential, and is occupied by first and middle class residents. The Scout Borromeo stretch from Tomas Morato to Sgt. Esguerra, however, has been occupied by squatters for an eternity.  If only there's a way to demolish the squatters area, then the Scouts Area would've been a healthy residential community to be reckoned with.

Now why don't you check out the Scouts Area in Quezon City and see the meaning of first and second class living all in one room.