11th World Scout Jamboree Memorial Rotonda

11th World Scout Jamboree Memorial Rotonda (Boy Scout Circle), Quezon City — History, What to See, and How to Visit

Location: Timog Ave. × Tomas Morato Ave., boundary of South Triangle, Laging Handa, and Sacred Heart barangays, Quezon City, Metro Manila
Coordinates: 14.6348409, 121.0353466

### Why this small roundabout matters

At first glance it’s “just” a traffic circle where Timog Avenue meets Tomas Morato Avenue—Quezon City’s well-known dining and nightlife corridor. Look closer and you’ll see 24 life-size bronze figures arranged around a circular pedestal. This is the 11th World Scout Jamboree Memorial Rotonda, widely called Boy Scout Circle, a public monument honoring the Philippine contingent that never reached the 1963 World Scout Jamboree in Marathon, Greece. Their plane—United Arab Airlines Flight 869—crashed off Bombay (now Mumbai) on July 28, 1963. The monument, unveiled in 1965 and sculpted by Florante Beltran Caedo, keeps their names and ideals visible in the heart of the city. (https://en..org/wiki/11th_World_Scout_Jamboree_Memorial_Rotonda?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

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## Quick facts (verified)

– What it commemorates: The 24-member Philippine delegation—22 Boy Scouts, 2 veteran Scouters, and 2 chaperons—who perished in the 1963 crash en route to the 11th World Scout Jamboree. [ City Government](https://quezoncity.gov.ph/place/11th-world-scout-jamboree-memorial-rotonda-tomas-morato-monument/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
– Artist & inauguration: Sculptor Florante B. Caedo; unveiled by Mayor Norberto S. Amoranto in 1965 at what were then Sampaloc and South Avenues (today’s Tomas Morato and Timog). (https://en..org/wiki/11th_World_Scout_Jamboree_Memorial_Rotonda?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
– 2007 renovation: Addition of an obelisk atop the structure honoring Tomás Morató, the city’s first mayor and namesake of the avenue. (https://en..org/wiki/11th_World_Scout_Jamboree_Memorial_Rotonda?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
– Where exactly: Center of the Timog–Tomas Morato roundabout; the circle forms a boundary between South Triangle, Laging Handa, and Sacred Heart barangays. (https://en..org/wiki/11th_World_Scout_Jamboree_Memorial_Rotonda?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
– Context: The surrounding “Scout Area” includes streets renamed in 1964 after the fallen Scouts and Scouters (e.g., Scout Tobias, Scout Tuason, Scout Rallos). [ City Government](https://quezoncity.gov.ph/place/tomas-morato-timog-avenue-area/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

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## What you’ll see at the Rotonda

– Ring of bronze figures: The 24 statues are placed around a circular base, each representing a member of the delegation. The composition is sober and symmetrical—meant to be viewed in the round while circling the island on foot. (https://en..org/wiki/11th_World_Scout_Jamboree_Memorial_Rotonda?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
– Obelisk and dedication panels (post-2007): The vertical element added during renovation carries the dedication and contextualizes the site within the city’s memory of Scouting. (https://en..org/wiki/11th_World_Scout_Jamboree_Memorial_Rotonda?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
– Urban backdrop: The circle anchors a dense grid of restaurants, cafés, comedy bars, and studios along Tomas Morato and Timog, historically known as a food and entertainment row. (https://en..org/wiki/Tomas_Morato_Avenue?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

> Nearby historical note: The area northeast of the circle includes the former site of the 1996 Ozone Disco Club fire, one of the country’s deadliest nightlife tragedies. If you’re exploring places of memory in Quezon City, this context often appears in local histories. (https://en..org/wiki/11th_World_Scout_Jamboree_Memorial_Rotonda?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

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## How to visit (practical, on-the-ground tips)

### Getting there by public transport
– MRT-3 corridor: The Scout/Triangle district is served by MRT-3; many visitors approach via GMA-Kamuning, Quezon Ave, or North Ave stations, then transfer to short jeep/bus hops (e.g., stops at Scout Limbaga, Timog/Scout Tuason) to reach the circle. Always confirm the live route in a transit app. (https://moovitapp.com/index/en/public_transit-Timog_Avenue_Boy_Scout_Circle-Manila-site_77626021-1022?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
– Buses/jeeps: Frequent services run along Quezon Ave., Timog, and Kamuning with drop-offs a few minutes’ walk from the roundabout. Schedules and stopping patterns change; check same-day instructions before you go. (https://moovitapp.com/index/en/public_transit-Boy_Scout_Circle-Manila-site_42519133-1022?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

> Data freshness: Public-transport specifics (e.g., “nearest station” callouts) vary by operator and time of day. Treat in-app times as guidance, not guarantees. (https://moovitapp.com/index/en/public_transit-Boy_Scout_Circle-Manila-site_42519133-1022?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

### Best time and safety
– Light & heat: Early morning or late afternoon gives softer light on the bronze figures and avoids the harsh midday glare.
– Crossing the circle: There’s active traffic around the island. Use the designated pedestrian points and be patient; several reviews over the years emphasize caution when attempting to reach the center. (https://www..com/Attraction_Review-g298574-d10257636-Reviews-Boy_Scout_Monument-Quezon_City_Metro_Manila_Luzon.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
– Combine with a food stop: Many visitors pair a short memorial visit with a meal along Tomas Morato or Timog, where options range from casual Filipino comfort food to specialty coffee bars. (https://en..org/wiki/Tomas_Morato_Avenue?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

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## Understanding the “Scout Area” around the circle

Following the 1963 tragedy, Quezon City Council resolutions in 1964 renamed neighborhood streets to carry the surnames of the scouts and scouters—embedding memory into the everyday map. Walking a few blocks from the circle, you’ll encounter signs like Scout Tobias, Scout Tuason, Scout Ybardolaza, Scout Lozano, Scout Fuentebella, and more. Several city and local-history sources document this renaming drive and its intent. (https://quezoncitylocalhistory.blogspot.com/2013/07/renaming-of-south-streets-in-honor-of.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

> Cultural layer: The barangay Laging Handa—literally “Always Prepared”—shares the motto of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, an alignment that’s often noted in local write-ups of the district. (https://experienceqc.weebly.com/tomas-morato.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

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## A short history of the 1963 Jamboree and the flight

– The 11th World Scout Jamboree was held in Marathon, Greece in August 1963 under the theme “Higher and Wider.” Delegations from nearly 90 countries were expected. (https://en..org/wiki/World_Scout_Jamboree?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
– The Philippine contingent’s aircraft, UAA Flight 869, crashed into the Arabian Sea near Madh Island off Bombay at 01:50 on July 28, 1963. Flags at the Jamboree were placed at half-mast; the BSP later sent a small token delegation. The Quezon City memorial followed two years later. (https://en..org/wiki/11th_World_Scout_Jamboree_Memorial_Rotonda?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

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## Plan a respectful visit

– Time needed: 15–30 minutes for the memorial itself; longer if you’re tracing multiple Scout Streets or combining with a neighborhood food crawl.
– Accessibility: The circle is fully outdoors with curbs, islands, and active crossings. Wheelchair users may prefer viewing from the perimeter if mid-island access feels unsafe amid traffic.
– Photography: A mid-telephoto lens or smartphone 2×–3× zoom lets you isolate individual figures without standing in the roadway. Dawn/dusk helps cut glare on bronze.

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## What’s nearby (walkable radius)

– Tomas Morato restaurant row: A dense cluster of dining spots along a north–south spine; it’s been part of the city’s entertainment identity for decades. (https://en..org/wiki/Tomas_Morato_Avenue?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
– Media studios: The district has long-standing links to TV networks and production houses, which helped shape the area’s late-night economy and explains why many eateries open late. (https://en..org/wiki/Tomas_Morato_Avenue?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

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## Responsible travel & inclusivity notes

– Quiet conduct: This is a memorial first and a photo spot second. Avoid climbing the base or obstructing traffic for long shoots.
– Names matter: If you’re researching or posting about the site, include the individual names of the scouts/scouters when possible; many nearby street signs reflect them, and several city history projects work to keep those biographies visible. (https://quezoncitylocalhistory.blogspot.com/2013/07/renaming-of-south-streets-in-honor-of.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
– Data accuracy: Official write-ups and city pages confirm the key dates, the artist, and the 2007 obelisk. If a blog or map contradicts those basics, defer to the Quezon City Government page and consolidated references. [ City Government](https://quezoncity.gov.ph/place/11th-world-scout-jamboree-memorial-rotonda-tomas-morato-monument/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

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## Essential references used for this guide