Ever wondered why several streets in Quezon City near Timog Avenue and Tomas Morato have “Scout” in their names? It’s because these streets were named after the 20 boy scouts, 2 veteran scouts, and 2 chaperons who died en route to the 11th World Jamboree in Marathon, Greece. The plane they were riding on crashed into the Arabian Sea near Bombay, India on July 28, 1969 1963, thirty-nine forty-five years ago today.

In their honor, several streets in Quezon City were renamed after them, one for each of the slain: scouts Albano, Bayoran, Borromeo, Castor, Chuatoco, Delgado, de Guia, Fuentebella, Gandia, Limbaga, Lozano, Madrinan, Magbanua, Rallos, Reyes, Santiago, Tobias, Torillos, Tuason, and Ybardolaza; veteran scouts Fernandez and Ojeda; Dr. Lazcano, their physician; and Fr. Martinez, their chaplain. Other related streets in their honor include Marathon and 11th Jamboree. In addition, Barangay Laging Handa is found in that area; Laging Handa (Always Prepared) is the motto of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines. (Scout Albano Street has since been renamed as Eugenio Lopez Street—boo on ABS-CBN and the Lopezes!)

Photo by Butch Bustria Jr.

Finally we get to our featured sight, the 11th World Jamboree Scout Memorial rotunda. This circular monuments has 24 statues bearing the likenesses of the 24 delegates. It can be found at the intersection of Timog and Tomas Morato Avenues. In 1988, President Aquino declared July 28 of every year as Scout Memorial Day.

For more on the history of the 11th Jamboree delegates, read this tribute webpage on Geocities.

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