Manila/University Belt

The University Belt, or the "U-Belt" in short, contains a large cluster of universities and colleges in Manila. The universities in this district draws locals, other Filipinos, and some foreign students. This guide only deals with the districts traditionally associated with the area, including Sampaloc, San Miguel, Santa Mesa, and the eastern fringe of Quiapo.

Understand


Locals of Manila understand the University Belt in Manila as the cluster of universities around Sampaloc and San Miguel. It is not an official district of Manila, but it rather includes the districts of Sampaloc, San Miguel, and also, Santa Mesa. Other locals include the university cluster along Taft Avenue in Ermita and Malate and another cluster inside Intramuros to the area. Our guide only cover the districts traditionally associated with the area.

The center of most activity in the University Belt is the University of Santo Tomas (UST), one of the oldest universities in the Philippines, dating back to 1611. The university was established inside Intramuros, and moved here in the early 20th century. España Boulevard, a six- to eight-lane avenue, is the main thoroughfare of the district. Towering condominiums rising along the boulevard area, and the rise of mid-range restaurants and beer houses indicates the fast gentrification of the area and growing nightlife. Going further east, the University Belt gives way to a worker-class residential area, with some signs of gentrification due to skyrocketing land prices, but the all too common residential fires and crimes do continue to happen because of its seedy background. The U-Belt still remains a concrete jungle though, so it is easy to get lost into all the nastiness of ordinary Manileño life.

Get in
Getting into the U-Belt is not without hassle. The Manila Line 2 and PNR Metro Commuter Line serves the area, but stations are found near inconvenient areas near rough areas with the obvious threat of crime from lurking thieves and thugs (and Line 2's Legarda station is near the Mendiola Bridge, a hotspot for public demonstrations). Car travel is clearly not for the inexperienced; traffic jams and aggressive drivers are just all around, and parking is hard to find, even for students with a personal car.

By jeepney
Most likely, you will hop onto a jeepney to get into the University Belt. Jeepneys are perhaps the best way to get into the U-Belt from nearby Quiapo or Santa Mesa Heights (Quezon City), but traffic on España Boulevard and connecting streets can vary from time to time. Rush hour is the worst time to take a jeepney; traffic slows to a halt, and pickpockets take advantage of the congestion to hop onto a jeepney and sit beside an unwary passenger, mostly women, especially students in their school's uniform, stealthily steal money or cell phones from their pockets, and hop off even without paying the base fare.

By bus
There are regular bus service through the University Belt, running from Quiapo to Fairview and Taytay (Rizal). There are no buses from southern Metro Manila into the University Belt because of Manila's ordinance that prohibit bus service passing through the city. If you come from the southern parts of the metro, you must get down at Plaza Santa Cruz or Park N' Ride and transfer into a jeepney. A transfer from Santa Cruz is longer as you must walk through the bustling crowds of Quiapo into Quezon Boulevard.

By train
Philippine National Railways Metro Commuter Line trains stop at three stations at this district, Laong Laan, España and Santa Mesa. The elevated Line 2 runs to the south east to west through Ramon Magsaysay Avenue, Legarda Street and Recto Avenue; it has three stations in the district, namely Legarda, Pureza and V. Mapa. The stations are found near rough residential areas, so keep your wits on.

Eat
Sampaloc is famous for its open air lechon (roasted pig) restaurants.

Stay safe


Getting around the University Belt is hassle-free if you follow common sense, whether as a student or not. Watch out for common petty crimes. If you are a student in any of the universities around the area, beware of all the common crimes committed against students, like pickpocketing, tricycle scams, or the dreaded budol-budol hypnosis theft. Criminals or scammers easily identify a student through a school ID or uniform, and changing clothes, even if it's just the top, or removing your ID may work, but keep vigilant, and if possible, walk in a group. Women need more caution when getting around; being a student, especially in uniform, is an easy way to attract thieves. Theft by stealth (salisi) is a threat when you are eating, even within a group; if someone distracts you by creating a small accident, watch out. Call the police or go to the nearest police outpost.

The University Belt has many beer houses and billiard halls, but bar-hopping is prohibited for students on school days and while in school uniform. Wearing one's uniform and drinking in a bar can mean disciplinary sanctions for indecent student behavior, even if you're just invited in a group.

The area is vulnerable to floods from its low elevation; España Boulevard can turn into a river during heavy downpours. The esteros (estuaries, or more specifically, creeks) can overflow, further worsening flooding. So, be warned: even a localized thunderstorm can grind all activity in the U-Belt into a screeching halt.

Fires frequently break out in the area's poorer residential areas because of illegal power connections. If you see those very cluttered electrical wires hanging on the air, it's a warning some residents are just getting their electricity from a jumper connection, that if it sparks, can ignite huge fires. Dormitories have a negative reputation for poor fire safety, but things have changed since; do research before finding where to sleep, or insist on staying in a condominium block, even where unit prices are twice as of the usual dorm.

The Mendiola Bridge area near Malacañang is a major hotbed of public unrest; demonstrations pointed to the national government often happen here. Always be updated with the news and avoid the area if any protest occurs or will occur. Public demonstrations can turn violent, and there is the risk of being arrested for supposed participation.

Go next
More shopping options can be found in neighboring Quiapo or Divisoria. The Scout Area in Quezon City, a popular weekend hangout by students, is minutes away through Quezon Avenue.

Further
If you plan to find a refuge outside the city, there are some few bus terminals to destinations in northern Luzon.


 * Baguio — The "City of Pines", a popular weekend getaway in northern Luzon is 4 hours away by bus.
 * Banaue — The breathtaking rice terraces and colorful Ifugao culture, a national cultural landmark, is 9 hours away (or longer depending on traffic). Ohayami Transport and G.V. Florida Transport offers provincial bus service, but be warned: safety is questionable after a deadly accident in 2015, so check beforehand.
 * Vigan — Partas and Viron Transit provides regular bus service to this heritage town, 7 and a half hours or longer by bus.