QC Stories: The City We Call Home was launched by the Quezon City government under Mayor Joy Belmonte and published by Do Good Studio. The coffee-table book is presented as both a tourism guide and a cultural record of the city. The volume, spanning 48 stories, brings together essays, photographs, commissioned artworks, and curated guides.
One section, “How to Enjoy Cinema in a Film Capital,” discusses Quezon City’s film history and its designation by UNESCO as a Creative City of Film.
The book features National Artist Ricky Lee and his long-running writing workshop, the tailoring community in Kamuning, and Chef Miggy Moreno’s Palm Grill. It also covers Margarita Forés’ early work at Bahay na Puti in Cubao and includes curated playlists by editor Erwin Romulo and designer Gabbie Sarenas that reflect different parts of the city.
In addition, it references food establishments such as Max’s and Estrel’s and presents artworks by Mark Salvatus, while profiling actors Joel Torre and Maricel Soriano in relation to their careers in Quezon City’s film and television industry.
The book also includes an essay by psychologist Carl Lorenz Cervantes, known as Sikodiwa, who discusses the concept of kapwa in the context of community life in the city. In another section, artist Cian Dayrit collaborates with Anakpawis and Kadamay to examine social and economic conditions in Quezon City, while the publication revisits the historical figure of Tandang Sora through contemporary perspectives, linking the city’s past to present-day realities.
The cover features a collage by 2025 Ateneo Art Awardee Jel Suarez based on National Artist Virgilio Almario’s poem “Ang Lungsod ng Quezon,” with typography by Jeth Torres inspired by historical letterforms.
The book’s editor and creative director is Tin Dabbay, with Patrick L. Jamora serving as art director. Lorenze Andrew Buenaventura is executive producer, while Bon Reyes and Meryll Soriano are listed as producers. Contributors include Chica Villarta and Paloma Urquijo Zobel de Ayala.
Writers in the book include Anakpawis, Micaela Benedicto, Janelle Roa Cabrera-Paraiso Carl Lorenz Cervantes Ricci Chan, Marla Darwin, Mawi Fojas-De Ocampo Paeng Evangelista, Bianca Gonzalez, Kadamay, Yee Chung Kee, Francis Lacson, Bong Lozada, Rachel Mayo, Mark Meily, Tina Ong, Wincy Ong, Elijah Pareño, Jeremy Perey, Noreen H. Sapalo, Gabriela Serrano, Budjette Tan, Derek Tumala, and Lakan Umali.
The designers are Patrick Diokno and Zoe Sabandal. Photographers include Anak ng Studio, Cenon at Maw, Cru Camara, Fern Dy, Geric Cruz, Patrick Diokno, JL Javier, Renzo Navarro, Kiko Nuñez, Joseph Pascual, Josh Praxidio, Lance Reyes, Pam Simpas, and Sonny Thakur.
Artists featured are Virgilio Almario, Marius Black, Margaux Blas Nash Cruz, Khavn, Cian Dayrit, Judd Figueroa, Cheetah Rivera, Erwin Romulo, Mark Salvatus, Gabbie Sarenas, Jel Suarez, Jeth Torres, and Cheetah Rivera for fashion, with Mano Gonzales and Zidjian Paul Floro also contributing. The publisher is Do Good Studio.
QC Sories is available through official city channels and cultural partners.