If you are looking for an easy-on-the-budget and a family-friendly weekend bonding destination, then UP Diliman is a good location to consider.
UP Diliman is a place that I hold dear. Aside from it being my Alma Mater,
it was home to me for more than 16 years. I only moved out of my apartment during the time when I got married. Otherwise, I would have stayed in UP
Diliman longer.
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| The Academic Oval on a weekend |
9 Top Reasons Why UP Diliman Is A Family-Friendly Weekend Destination
At home in UP Diliman
The atmosphere of UP Diliman reminded me so much of my hometown San Antonio in
Nueva Ecija. There were a lot of trees inside and around the campus, and the warmth and simplicity of the communities living inside the university were all reminiscent of the provincial life that I love.
Even beyond graduation, I would regularly visit UP Diliman to take a stroll,
to eat, to meet friends, or to go to church. It was a refuge for me when I
felt the need for a breather. In UP Diliman, I felt right at home.
A wonderful weekend destination
UP Diliman is a popular weekend destination among Metro Manila residents. On
Saturdays and Sundays, UP Diliman is filled with families or groups of friends enjoying the fresh campus air. It’s a relaxing sight to see the UP Diliman campus transform into a visitor-friendly park full of happy people.
I can understand those people who also love the UP Diliman campus and why
they feel contented with a simple, leisurely stroll in the midst of large
trees.
Here are some of the top reasons why UP Diliman is a great weekend destination
for families:
1. You can enter the UP Diliman campus for free
You need not pay anything to enter the UP Diliman campus. If you are bringing your family car with you, there are also free parking spaces in nearby buildings. Do keep in mind that getting a spot in these parking areas is on a
first-come, first-served basis.
2. It is a safe community for families with children
The Academic Oval is closed off to vehicle traffic on weekends. As such,
families, especially those with small children, can enjoy running or playing
in the oval without the fear of getting hit by passing vehicles.
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| Trees inside UP Diliman |
What’s more, there is security personnel patrolling around the Academic Oval to ensure safety from unscrupulous individuals as well as enforce UP Diliman’s policies. Just the same, always be alert for possible risks or threats when
visiting the UP Diliman campus, or any other place for that matter.
3. There are churches inside the UP Diliman campus
If you would like to hear Mass on a Sunday, you can do so at the Church of the
Holy Sacrifice. For Protestants, worship services are available at the Church of the Risen Lord. Both of these buildings are considered architectural innovations.
4. There are restaurants that serve delicious and budget-friendly food
If you plan to eat out as a family, there are different restaurants inside UP
Diliman to satisfy your palate.
Probably one of the most well-known restaurants inside the UP Diliman campus is Mang Larry’s Isawan. It started out as a small food cart selling isaw and barbecue until it grew into a full-fledged restaurant. If you want to
enjoy clean and delicious street food, you can’t go wrong with Mang Larry’s.
Some of the other restaurants that you can try are the ROC Restaurant,
Khas Food House, Iskomai, and Gubat QC.
If you fancy sisig, lechon kawali, and beef tapa, try the popular
Mang Jimmy’s restaurant. It's outside the UP campus though but it’s not too far; it’s located in Carriedo St. in Balara, near MWSS.
5. You can enjoy different types of street food inside the campus
Aside from isaw (barbecue and pork barbecue at Mang Larry’s, you can also try other delicious street food sold in food kiosks around the UP Diliman campus.
Some items that you shouldn’t miss are the kwek-kwek (quail eggs), cheese
sticks, fish balls, squid balls, and kikiam.
6. You can have a small picnic at the Sunken Garden
If you want to bring your own food, why not have a picnic at the Sunken
Garden? Just bring a picnic blanket with you, some plates and utensils, and then find a good grassy spot where you can set up. Just don’t forget to bring a bag where you can put your trash before disposing of it in a nearby bin.
7. You can expose your children to contemporary art at Jorge B. Vargas Museum
You can expose your children to modern art early on by visiting Jorge B.
Vargas Museum. It is home to different works of art by various artists as well
as collections donated by Jorge B. Vargas, the Philippines’ first Executive
Secretary during the Commonwealth period.
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| Tree-lined road |
The Jorge B. Vargas Museum and Filipiniana Research Center is located at Roxas
Avenue beside Bulwagang Rizal (Faculty Center).
Its operating hours are Tuesday to Saturday, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. For
inquiries, you may call telephone numbers (+632) 8-928-1927, (+632) 8-981-8500
locals 4021 (VOIP), or send an email to
vargasmuseum@up.edu.ph.
Aside from Jorge B. Vargas Museum, you can also visit the following museums in
UP Diliman although some of these are not open on weekends:
Bulwagan ng Dangal
Home to the University Art Collection, Bulwagan ng Dangal is located at the
South Wing basement of Gonzalez Hall (University Library) facing Palma Hall
Annex. Its operating hours are Tuesday to Friday, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM,
and on Saturday, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
For inquiries, you may call telephone numbers (+632) 8925-4609 and
(+632)8981-8500 local 2878 (VOIP) or send an email to
bnd.uhm@gmail.com
The Costume Museum of the College of Home Economics
The Costume Museum boasts a collection of more than a thousand pieces of rare historic Filipino costumes and accessories. It is located at the 2/F of
Alonzo Hall at the College of Home Economics. It operates from Monday to
Friday, from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Guests who are interested to visit must call for an appointment via telephone
number (+632) 8981-8500 local 3404 (VOIP) or they can also send an email
to che.ctid@yahoo.com.
UP Biology Invertebrate Museum
This educational museum is home to an extensive collection of invertebrate organism specimens. It is located in Room 111, West Wing of Zoology Building
behind the Natural Sciences Research Institute.
It operates every Monday to Friday, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. For inquiries,
you may get in touch with the museum through telephone numbers (+63)
939-9085457, (+63) 939-908-5457, and (+632) 8981-8500 loc. 3730 (VOIP).
UP College of Music Museum of Musical Instruments of the College of Music
This museum has an amazing collection of ethnic musical instruments from the Philippines as well as other countries. It’s located at the 2F of the Abelardo
Hall Main Building
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| Open field |
Its operating hours are from Monday to Friday and strictly by appointment, so call telephone numbers (+632) 8929-6963 and (+632) 8981-8500 loc. 2635 (VOIP)
before your intended date of visit.
The UP NIGS-UPGAA Geology Museum
This museum is more of a learning venue for earth science. It’s at the
National Institute of Geological Sciences Building, G. Velasquez corner C.P.
Garcia Streets.
It’s open every Monday to Friday, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. If you plan to
visit, you may call telephone numbers (+632) 8924-2709 and (+632) 8924-2485/
929-6047 or send an email to
ampanigs@yahoo.com.
*Information on the museums was taken from the
UP Diliman website.
8. You can have a family photoshoot at UP Diliman
The sprawling UP Diliman campus is also the perfect venue if you are planning a family photoshoot. The big trees that line the Academic Oval, as well as the
different gardens and beautiful spots around the campus, will serve as lovely
backdrops for your photographs.
9. You can enjoy a fun fitness weekend with your kids and loved ones
The UP Diliman Academic Oval is spacious enough for joggers and even bikers,
so it’s a good opportunity to exercise with your family. You can also opt to play ball, Frisbee, or fly a kite in the vast Sunken Garden.
How to go to UP Diliman
If you are taking a private vehicle, drive all the way to Philcoa and, from there, you can pass through the main entrance of the UP Diliman campus.
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| A quiet corner |
If you are commuting, alight at Philcoa and, from there, ride a UP Philcoa or UP Pantanco jeep to get inside the university.
Epilogue
UP Diliman is the perfect example that you don’t have to spend too much or travel too far to enjoy a beautiful destination. The UP Diliman campus has the ambiance of a provincial location right in the heart of the city.
What’s more, it offers many different activities for a delightful weekend of bonding with your family or loved ones. You can enjoy good food and play fun
games with your kids right inside the university.
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Wow UP Diliman is one one the best Universities in the Philippines. Dream come true of being a part of UP family and staying at Up and your story amazed me. Back when I was in 4th year high school my dream is to be a part of UP family during college.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your experience in UP Diliman. Atleast in my imagination I had Campus tour in UP
UP Diliman truly Must stay and Visit Here, dahil sa sobrang Ganda at nakakaAliwalas na Paligid, Isa rin sa patuloy na kinikilalang Universidad sa Pilipinas .. sobrang magEenjoy ka po talaga to Stay Here, mga magagandang mga puno't halaman, mga masasarap at murang mga Kainan, at napaka affordable na mga Pamilihan.. surely one of the highlt recommended Campus..
ReplyDeleteYou got me here! My mom's workplace for almost half of her life. We used to lived just nearby, most of my childhood and college days ,spent here, aking minamahal na U.P.
ReplyDeleteHindi pako nakakapunta dito sa UP DILIMAN pero madami narin talaga akong naririnig tungkol dito daddy ivan. Isa rin talaga itong lugar na ito ang gusto ko talagang mapuntahan, kesyo Napakaganda daw talaga Dito sa lugar na ito , madami ka daw madadaanan na magaganda at talagang marerelax ka dito. Gusto ko talagang maexperience na makapag visit dito kasama ang Family ko . ANyway thankyou po sa pag share ng experience nyo po dito. Worth it to read.
ReplyDeletetalagang dream school ng lahat ang up diliman and nakapunta na din po ako mga ilang beses na din dahil nadadaanan po namin kapag may pinupuntahan kami sa quezon city napaka ganda po talaga dito nakaka amaze ang view and very relaxing hoping soon makapunta po kami ulit dyan ng family ko masarap din po dyan mag jogging 🥰
ReplyDelete