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Academic district in Manila, Philippines
Photo: Patrick Roque, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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.
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Make way for the most important person in the Philippines....the President. The official residence of the President, the etymology of the name Malacañan is from the Tagalog phrase "may lakan diyan" meaning "there's a nobleman there". The mansion was first used as a residence for the Spanish governor generals as well as the Americans. It was then the official residence of the president when President Manuel L. Quezon took his term and he was the first Filipino resident of the mansion. Visitors must go through security checks at the complex entrance and follow a strict dress code, and picture taking inside the presidential mansion without the necessary permits, rarely granted for non-media people, is prohibited. Only the Museo ng Malacañang is open to tourists.
Just a few minutes walk from Malacañan
Built during the American colonial era, the emblems of the United States of America are still seen. It was used as official use of the administration of President Manuel L. Quezon until the Marcos' administration. Today it showcases Filipino history
Showcases Juan Luna's and Felix Ressurecion Hidalgo's paintings. It has a library, clinic and a room for photography equipment.
Purchased and converted into a guesthouse in the 1970s, it showcases European silver ware including notable 18th and 19th century silversmiths Paul de Lamerie and Paul Storr. It has been given as a gift to the Marcoses during their Silver wedding anniversary.
Mabini Bridge, formerly and still referred as Nagtahan Bridge, is a road bridge crossing the Pasig River between Nagtahan Street in Santa Mesa and Quirino Avenue in Paco, Manila. It was constructed between January and February in 1945. It initially served as a pontoon bridge transporting U.S. Army jeeps and evacuate citizens caught in the crossfire during the Liberation of Manila. In lieu with the 103rd birth anniversary of Apolinario Mabini on July 22, 1967, President Ferdinand Marcos issued the Proclamation No. 234, s. 1967, renaming Nagtahan Bridge as the Mabini Bridge, in memory of Apolinario Mabini, the Sublime Paralytic.
Venerable baroque arch erected in 1680 & moved piece by piece to its current location in 1954. a city icon in Manila.
Eclectic university museum housing paintings, religious, geology, zoology & botany exhibits. Museum of Santo Tomas University is considered the oldest museum in the Philippines. It was formally established in 1869. Museum consists of 4 sections: natural history, fine art (paintings), ethnography and religious artifacts. The collection is impressive, especially natural history. This is really a place worth visiting. The building of the university itself is also of a historic value.
Beautiful Church, solemn place, air-con, parking available.
This church just transform into a stunning place.
A mini circle park, a place to sit, relax and to have a chitchat.
delicious Filipino & international foods.
viral Pancit of Cabagan, Isabela in Sampaloc, Manila.
Kubo by Gillid's is a boodle-fight alfresco dining restaurant in Sampaloc.
Filipino, Spanish winery & restaurant near the Malacanan Palace.
Filipino restaurant near the Malacanan Palace.
ood tastes food. A go-to-place, open even midnight.
They have the best pancit cabagan, even better than the ones in Cabagan, Cagayan Province.
Dumplings, Pork Siomai, Beer Bucket, Chicken Wings with Fries. A very nice and unique drinking place in Manila! They have unli promos at a very reasonable price. The price of beer and other alcoholic beverages are really affordable. Has a lot of food choices. Quality of food is okay but can be better. All in all, a really fun and nice place. Perfect place to hang out with friends.
A very delicious barbecue dish I had here. A lot of choice by a good variety of meat. The restaurant looks clean and very busy between 5 pm 6 pm and is a great place to crash and fill your stomach.
Many choices of side dishes and meats. They have tempura, enoki, scallop with cheese, crispy fried chicken karage, kani salad, miso soup, cheese ball, and red tea.
The institution of the best lechon in the Philippines.
An excellent mango graham shake. Try their avocado overload too.
Quaint quiet place in the middle of a bustling street with a homey and bright atmosphere which is a great place to work or study.
Set amid shops and casual eateries, this straightforward budget hotel with a striking modern facade is 11 minutes’ walk from a tram stop, 3 km from Malacañang Palace and 4 km from Rizal Park.The low-key, simply decorated rooms come with Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, in addition to air conditioners and en suite wet rooms. Breakfast and parking are available, as is meeting space.
A 5-minute walk from the Dangwa Bus Company bus station, this modern-built hotel set above a coffee shop and close to eateries is a 7-minute stroll from the University of Santo Tomas, and 3 km from the grand Malacañang Palace, the presidential offices and museum. Relaxed rooms with unfussy decor feature flat-screen TVs, desks and modern en suite bathrooms.
Amenities include a fitness room with floor-to-ceiling windows.
Set in a busy area along a major road, this humble hotel is 6 minutes’ walk from Espana railway station, 13 minutes away on foot from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) and a kilometer from SM City San Lazaro mall. The compact, pared-back rooms provide flat-screen TVs and air conditioning; some rooms also have tea and coffeemaking facilities. Amenities consist of Wi-Fi and event space.
Manila's flower market, heavily flocked during Valentine's and All Saint's day and All Soul's Day, it is flocked by people.
Public market, lots of choices to buy for, the place is so busy, many foodstalls and if you're lucky you'll have the cheapest price for the friuts.
By jeepney
Most likely, you will hop onto a jeepney to get into the University Belt.
By bus
There are regular bus service through the University Belt, running from Quiapo to Fairview and Taytay (Rizal).
By train
Philippine National Railways Metro Commuter Line trains stop at three stations at this district, Laong Laan, España and Santa Mesa.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Manila (Pasay) · International · MNL
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