The QC Edit: Best Nature Spots & Groceries for Your Household Staff
Big compounds, big families, and big logistics. Here is where your staff should go in New Manila and Loyola Heights.
By Human+ Editorial
If you live in New Manila or Loyola Heights, your household runs differently than a condo in BGC. You likely have a larger staff, a designated driver, and a "dirty kitchen" that sees heavy action.
But even with a big garden, cabin fever is real. Your kids need to see the world, and your cook needs access to markets that can stock a pantry for a family of six.
Quezon City offers some of the best green spaces in the metro—if you know where to look. Unlike the manicured pocket parks of Makati, QC parks are massive, wild, and require a bit of planning.
Here is the Human+ guide to managing your staff's outings in the North.
Quick Location Comparison Guide
U.P. Academic Oval - Best For: Long Walks/Scooters | Shade: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent | Safety: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ High | Requires: Driver Drop-off | Duration: 1-2 hours
Ninoy Aquino Parks & Wildlife - Best For: Nature Trip/Mini Zoo | Shade: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good | Safety: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ High | Requires: Driver Drop-off | Duration: 2-3 hours
Hi-Top Supermart - Best For: Bulk Groceries | Price: ⭐⭐ Budget | Variety: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent | Experience: ⭐⭐⭐ Old School
Unimart Greenhills - Best For: Fresh Produce | Price: ⭐⭐⭐ Mid | Variety: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very Good | Experience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent
Merkado (UP Town Center) - Best For: Emergency Runs | Price: ⭐⭐⭐ Mid | Variety: ⭐⭐⭐ Good | Experience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Easy
The Nature Run: Where to Send the Yaya Pro
In QC, you don't just "go for a walk." You go on a "trip." These locations are destinations that usually require a car drop-off.
1. The U.P. Academic Oval (Diliman)
The "University Run"
Best For: Long stroller walks, toddlers on scooters, and fresh air.
The Setup: The 2.2km loop around the university is shaded by massive acacia trees. It is significantly cooler than the rest of the city.
Why Yaya Pros Love It: It is safe and spacious. On Sundays, the oval is car-free, meaning your Yaya Pro can let the toddler run on the asphalt without fear. The wide pathways accommodate strollers easily, and there are benches every few hundred meters.
Best Time to Visit: Weekday mornings (7:00 AM - 9:00 AM) or Sunday mornings (6:00 AM - 10:00 AM) when it's car-free.
Avoid When: Weekday rush hours (4:00 PM - 7:00 PM) when students and faculty fill the roads.
Getting There: Have your driver drop them off at Quezon Hall (behind the Oblation statue). They can do one full loop (approx. 45 mins to 1 hour) and get picked up at the same spot.
Warning: Avoid the "Sunken Garden" if it rained recently; it gets muddy. Stick to the paved Oval.
Yaya Pro Tip: Bring extra water and snacks—there are limited vendors inside campus. The loop is long enough that kids will need refreshments halfway through.
2. Ninoy Aquino Parks & Wildlife Center
The "Mini Zoo" Adventure
Location: Diliman (Near Quezon Memorial Circle).
Best For: A 2-3 hour nature trip. There is a lagoon, a fishing village, and an animal rescue center where kids can see eagles, monkeys, and crocodiles.
The Cost: Extremely affordable (₱30 for adults, ₱15 for children). Ensure your Yaya Pro has small bills and coins.
Why Yaya Pros Love It: It feels like a province trip. It's quiet, green, and engaging for kids who are bored of the playroom. The children can learn about wildlife conservation while enjoying nature.
Best Time to Visit: Weekday mornings (9:00 AM - 11:00 AM) for the calmest experience. Weekend mornings (8:00 AM - 10:00 AM) before family crowds.
Avoid When: Weekend afternoons when school groups and families pack the area. Rainy days make paths muddy.
Getting There: Driver drop-off required. Park entrance is clearly marked from Quezon Avenue.
Yaya Pro Tip: Pack a picnic mat. There are limited benches, but plenty of grass. It is a great spot for your Yaya Pro to sit and read to the child. Bring mosquito repellent—essential in this area.
The Market Guide: Where Your Cook Should Shop
In QC, the "Pantry" is serious business. You aren't buying for two days; you are buying for two weeks.
1. Hi-Top Supermart (Quezon Avenue)
The Legend
If you live in QC and your cook doesn't go to Hi-Top, you might be overspending.
Best For: Everything. Hi-Top is famous for having the widest variety of goods at prices lower than the big mall chains. From imported corned beef to local walis tambo, they have it.
Cook's Experience: It is "Old School." The aisles are packed, and it can be chaotic, but veteran cooks love it because they can find specific ingredients that modern supermarkets don't carry.
The "Ma'am/Sir" Advantage: The meat section here is legendary for freshness. You can order specific cuts (e.g., "T-Bone, 1 inch thick") and the butchers know exactly what to do.
Best Time to Visit: Tuesday or Wednesday mornings (8:00 AM - 10:00 AM) for fresh stock and minimal crowds.
Avoid When: Weekends, paydays (15th and 30th), and late afternoons (4:00 PM onwards).
Pro Tip: Send your cook with a detailed list. The variety can be overwhelming for first-timers. Parking can be tight, so having a driver is helpful.
2. Unimart (Greenhills)
The New Manila Staple
Technically in San Juan, but this is the extended pantry of every New Manila mansion.
Best For: Fresh produce and "Chinoy" staples. If your household menu includes a lot of misua, dumplings, or specific soy sauces, this is the place.
Cook's Experience: Wide aisles, very cool air-conditioning, and highly organized. It is less stressful than Hi-Top but slightly more expensive.
Best Time to Visit: Wednesday mornings (9:00 AM - 11:00 AM). The stocks are usually replenished mid-week, and the weekend crowd hasn't arrived yet.
Avoid When: Saturday and Sunday when families do their weekly shopping.
Pro Tip: The produce section is exceptional. Send your cook here specifically for vegetables, seafood, and Chinese cooking ingredients.
3. Merkado Supermarket (U.P. Town Center)
The Loyola Local
Best For: Emergency runs and "Modern" ingredients.
The Vibe: If you live in Loyola Grand Villas or La Vista, this is your neighborhood store. It is smaller than Hi-Top but curated well.
Cook's Experience: Very easy to navigate. It's connected to the mall, so if you need your staff to run other errands (pharmacy, hardware), they can do it all in one trip.
Best Time to Visit: Weekday mornings (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM).
Avoid When: Lunch hours (12:00 PM - 2:00 PM) and weekend afternoons.
Pro Tip: Perfect for quick top-ups on fresh items or specialty products. Use this for weekly fresh runs, not monthly bulk purchases.
6 "QC Specific" Management Tips
1. The "Driver Drop" Protocol: Unlike BGC, your Yaya Pro cannot just walk home if it rains. You must establish a strict pickup protocol.
Example Rule: "If you are at UP Oval and it looks like rain, walk to the College of Law immediately and text Manong Driver."
Why: The campus is huge. If they don't have a specific meeting point, they will get stuck in the rain. Establish 2-3 predetermined pickup points for each location.
2. The "Pantry Audit": Because QC homes often have large pantries, cooks tend to overstock. Implement a "First In, First Out" (FIFO) rule and have your cook send you a photo of the pantry shelves before she goes to Hi-Top.
This prevents waste and helps you track what's actually needed versus what's wanted.
3. The "Mosquito" Factor: QC is greener than Makati. This means more mosquitoes, especially at Parks & Wildlife or UP. Ensure the "Go-Bag" always has ample mosquito repellent patches or lotion. Long sleeves for late afternoons are advisable.
4. Traffic Planning: QC traffic is unpredictable. Always give your driver a 30-minute buffer when scheduling pickups. Better to have your Yaya Pro wait 15 minutes in a safe spot than to have her standing in the sun with a cranky toddler.
5. Emergency Contact Network: For QC outings, ensure your Yaya Pro has:
Your direct line
Driver's number
Backup emergency contact
₱500-1,000 emergency cash for taxi if driver is delayed
Location services enabled on her phone
6. Bulk Shopping Strategy: QC households often shop in bulk. Create a master shopping list divided by store:
Hi-Top: Dry goods, canned items, meat (bulk)
Unimart: Fresh produce, specialty Asian ingredients
Merkado: Quick replenishments, modern/organic items
This prevents unnecessary trips and maximizes efficiency.
Safety Essentials for QC Outings
Before Leaving:
Confirm driver pickup time and location
Fully charged phone with load
Emergency cash (₱500-1,000)
Water bottles and snacks
Mosquito repellent
Portable first-aid kit
Rain gear (QC weather changes quickly)
At Parks:
Stay on designated paths
Keep children within visual range at all times
Avoid isolated areas, especially late afternoon
If lost at UP, go to the nearest building and ask security for directions
At Markets:
Keep money secured in inside pockets
Count change before leaving the cashier
Don't overload bags—use a cart or ask for help
Watch for pickpockets in crowded areas
Emergency Resources
Medical Emergencies:
Nearest Hospitals: Capitol Medical Center (New Manila), St. Luke's Medical Center QC (E. Rodriguez Sr. Ave)
Clinics: Multiple along Tomas Morato and Timog Avenue
Lost at UP Diliman:
Go to University Police Station (near Quezon Hall)
Call employer immediately
Stay in well-lit, populated areas
Transportation Backup:
UV Express routes available along Commonwealth, Katipunan
Grab/taxi readily available near UP Town Center, QC Circle
Have driver's number on speed dial
Seasonal Considerations
Hot Season (March-May):
UP Oval walks only before 8:00 AM or after 5:00 PM
Double water supply
Prioritize shaded areas
Rainy Season (June-October):
Always bring umbrella and rain gear
Avoid Parks & Wildlife after heavy rain (muddy paths)
Have indoor backup plans (UP Town Center, malls)
Cool Season (November-February):
Best time for UP Oval and Parks & Wildlife
Perfect weather for longer nature trips
Still bring mosquito repellent
In Summary: Matching Locations to Your Needs
For Long Nature Walks: U.P. Academic Oval
For Educational Outings: Ninoy Aquino Parks & Wildlife Center
For Budget Bulk Shopping: Hi-Top Supermart
For Fresh Produce & Asian Ingredients: Unimart Greenhills
For Quick Top-Ups: Merkado (UP Town Center)
Final Thought
Quezon City offers a beautiful, slower pace of life for families. It allows your children to grow up with trees, mud, and open skies—experiences that condo living simply cannot replicate.
By equipping your staff with the right locations and logistics, you ensure that your "Big House" life doesn't turn into a "Cabin Fever" life. The key is preparation: clear protocols, reliable transportation, and empowering your staff to navigate QC's sprawling geography with confidence.
Your household staff are not just employees—they are the architects of your family's daily experience. When they know where to go and how to get there safely, everyone thrives.
Happy Exploring!
Do you need a Household Cook who can manage a Hi-Top run without supervision? Or a Yaya Pro who can navigate UP Diliman safely? MaidProvider.ph Human+ places staff who are ready for the big city.
About MaidProvider.ph Human+
We connect families with verified, professional household staff who are trained, trustworthy, and committed to excellence in caregiving. From experienced cooks who know every market to Yaya Pros who can handle QC's logistics, we ensure every placement is built on transparency, respect, and quality.