LIST: Places in UP Diliman featured in Filipino Cult Films

Words by: Anton Jacaria and Ren Reñido

Art by: Anton Jacaria and Ren Reñido

The UP Diliman campus is home to scenes that look straight out of a movie itself. From the picturesque sun-lit view of the Sunken Garden to the beautiful buildings that hold the stories of the students before us, the sight of the campus grounds is one that incites a distinctive feeling of nostalgia and appreciation. For most of us, these sceneries have been the settings for experiences that have contributed to who we are today. Whether it be the little things like looking for where to eat your baon, or the happenings that you won’t ever forget like confessing to your college crush, these experiences are made even more meaningful and euphoric with the view of the beautiful campus.

With that, here are 5 popular places and scenes in the University of the Philippines Diliman campus featured in Filipino Cult Films, but as we list down these popular and iconic places in UP Diliman, remember that you are the main character in your own little film.

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UP Film Center from I'm Drunk, I Love You

The UP Film Center is a staple in I’m Drunk, I Love You, found near the UP Tennis Courts and right next to the University Theater (as it should be!). The academic institution is home to many diverse film courses, and the Cine Adarna, a massive viewing theater that premieres international and local films, plays, workshops, and even graduation ceremonies. 

Although the campus is not shown much throughout the movie, as it takes place mostly in La Union, the UP Film Center is one of the first locations shown in the film, and it marks the start of the gut-wrenching “love” story of the two leads. Dio, is a graduating film student, and Carson, who has been madly in love with him for years, is seen spending her free time around there. The film also shows us snippets of their lives as graduating UP Diliman students awaiting their Sablay moment, and what they do before they march. As the film starts off in the Film Center, it also ends the story there. In the Cine Adarna, Carson ends and graduates from her life in UP Diliman, coincidentally, ending and graduating from her feelings for Dio as well. 

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Sunken Garden from Alone/Together

The Sunken Garden is one of the staples of the UP Diliman campus, and it is a common denominator in the lives of almost every UP student. Formally known as the M.H. Del Pilar Parade Grounds, the garden is home to a thousand, if not a million different memories and experiences of students before us. From the countless UP Fair nights that have happened, the recent championship Bonfire, to the individual memories that each Iskolar has had in Sunken, the garden has seen them all. 

In the context of Filipino film, however, the Sunken Garden has proven to be a significant place not just for UP students. In the film Alone/Together, the story revolves around Raf and Christine, a student from UST and UP respectively and their relationship through the years. The Sunken Garden plays a pivotal role in their relationship throughout the movie as it stood as a constant witness as their romance began to blossom, when they lost their initial connection, and when they eventually met once again and reconciled their bitter and resentful feelings for one another.

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Vinzons Hall Food Stalls from Alone/Together

UP Diliman is home to countless food stalls around the campus. Usually located right outside buildings and near the Acad Oval, these stalls are a staple to UP students and visitors alike as they sell budget-friendly and on-the-go food, perfect for a busy student on the run or just looking for a quick snack. This is perfectly depicted in the film Alone/Together, more specifically the food stalls directly in front of Vinzons Hall, a building that houses offices that handle various student affairs, where Raf finds Christine and her friends eating and chatting as he commutes to UP Diliman all the way from UST just to see her, nang-libre pa!

Alone/Together has countless scenes showcasing the beauty of UP Diliman and its culture — from bluebooks, Ikot jeeps, the hallways of Palma Hall, and even the annual Lantern Parade. The parade is an annual tradition and celebration in UP Diliman held every December that everyone on the campus looks forward to—and it also marks the day of Christine and Raf’s first kiss. Just like Dio and Carson, Christine’s life ended at UP Diliman when she graduated. Things, however, took a turn for the worse when she got involved in a money scandal at work. These events caused a turn in her life, as well as her relationship with Raf. Christine often finds herself following the university’s values of “Honor before Excellence”— of being Matapang, Matalino, at Walang Takot, a way of thinking UP instills in its students and graduates, disappointed in herself when she violates it when she helped her then-boss steal millions from her work which ultimately caused the break up with Raf until they met again.

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AS Steps - Palma Hall from Dekada '70

The AS (Arts & Sciences) building, formally known as the Palma Building, is one of the most populated and frequented buildings among the buildings within the campus. Located along the Academic Oval, the AS building is where the GE (General Education) program classes are held. Arguably, the heart of the university, the AS steps and building, is something that every student has been to, one way or another. Due to the building’s location, many significant and crucial events in the university’s past have occurred here. Ever since the building’s erection in 1951, it has been witness to countless actions and rallies of student activism. Proving that it truly is the heart of the university.

In Dekada ‘70, the AS steps are shown in a very similar way. Particularly in one brief but powerful scene, the AS steps are shown as a pivotal setting in the film, as it is portrayed as what makes Jules, one of the main characters, embark on his journey within the film. This specific scene portrays the impact and importance of students during the Marcos regime, through student activism and gathering. Jules realizes through this rally that this is what he must do, to do his part during this time. Showing that during the Martial Law era, students did more than just stay within the classroom; they were citizens, standing in front of the abusive regime. 

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Oblation from Ina, Kapatid, Anak

Although not a movie film, Ina, Kapatid, Anak is a popular Filipino teleserye or drama series and the origin of Kim Chiu’s iconic “Hello UP! ‘Eto na ako!” to Oble, which became a meme still widely used even today—especially during UPCAT season! The Oblation is the iconic statue of the University of the Philippines seen in most, if not all, campuses across the country, and it serves as the start of one’s journey in UP Diliman, as it is the first thing you notice entering through the University Avenue. It also marks the start of one’s journey as an Iskolar ng Bayan as the Oblation symbolizes the offering of oneself to the school, the union, but most importantly, the country—kaya ito ay para sa bayan. Kim Chiu, or Celyn in the series, encapsulates every Iskolar’s fear and excitement entering UP Diliman, knowing how hard it will be but knowing how much they’ll love it.

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The campus of UP Diliman and the various locations within it have been the setting and the topic of many pieces of media across the years, and the decision to do this has always been crucial and consequential. Whether this decision was based on the campus’s aesthetic appeal or reasons that are more sentimental, it has led to more representation of the school and those constantly on its grounds. Through these, the school and its students are given representation beyond just the dated and erroneous notions of UP Diliman being a “breeding ground for NPA members,” and also removes the existing negative connotations towards students and activists.

In the context of young adult students who are constantly flustered and pressured to figure out who they are, representation in media is a major factor in helping them understand that they are not alone in what they are going through; students and people before them have experienced what they have experienced. Media representation in this context also means that the younger audience can see and understand what student life in the University of the Philippines is like, and what the school has to offer for them. Possibly opening the way for future Iskolars ng Bayan.

These films are a form of entertainment that communicates a story, simulates experiences, and evokes emotions that give viewers a sense of comfort, especially in a film they relate to most. They tell a story of the lives of UP graduates and students, showing not just the funny, heartwarming, and kilig-worthy good parts, but also the gut-wrenching, heartbreaking, and tear-jerking bad parts that come with UP and College life experience, which lets Iskolars and viewers know that they’re never really alone. These “bad parts” of the story are what make us who we are, that we will bring with us until we graduate—whether it be to instill being Matapang, Matalino, at Walang Takot, or upholding the values of Honor and Excellence.