Raf Carranza, Jia Garcia, Roan Punzalan, and Ureil Toledo | Geog 135 [Rural and Urban Geography] WFY Class
Posted on March 10, 2025
Traveling from city to city within the National Capital Region (NCR) simply to explore is not exactly ideal or the first one on most people’s bucket list—unless they enjoy the comfort of a private vehicle in doing so, that is! No, the cities are not even too far apart, but reaching one place to another could take an hour. The persistent and, we daresay, worsening traffic conditions in the region, among other plausible reasons, make it more demanding for people to appreciate and fall in love with it and its cities. But forget about falling in love with the bustling lives within Metro Manila; even taking a second to recognize the complexities behind the structure and chaos contained in its environment rarely exists as a casual, everyday topic of conversation.
In a desire to grasp such an ambiguity, the Geog 135: Rural and Urban Geography class of the Department of Geography took the (literal thousands of) steps in exploring Metro Manila one Sunday last October of this year. Referred to as GEOG STOP, the primary initiative of the class revolved around selecting distinct areas near chosen Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 stations. Activities held within each stop delved into specific geographic phenomena that may or may not be evident at a glance but, once realized, supply a significant foundation for a better understanding of urban spaces, such as Metro Manila. Relying on railway transit to fulfill the academic field activity (AFA) was the most optimal option given its accessibility, availability, and capacity, yielding the first perception established from the activity: efficient and inclusive public transportation not only makes traveling easier, but it strengthens connectivity within spaces and places.
As a rundown, the class—divided into four groups to lead designated stops—covered the following routes:
- Antipolo Station
- Recto
- Mall of Asia Complex and Seaside
- One Ayala
- Araneta Center Bus Terminal
- Pasig River Esplanade (PARES)
Kicking off the field activity at the Antipolo Station of LRT-2, its easternmost station, the class observed its surrounding area and analyzed the city’s current urban form and how it relates to the urbanization within Metro Manila. The mix of natural landscape with its built environment testifies to the expansion of rapid urbanization from the country’s capital region. As we glance over the city from the top of the Tower of Prayer of the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, we further reflect on the future of Antipolo’s urban form and examine its potential direction, acknowledging how it could transform the natural environment, similar to what the city has, into built-up areas as urban changes continue to spread from Metro Manila to its neighboring regions.
Afterwards, the class traveled through LRT-2 from Antipolo Station to its other end station— Recto. While in transit, we noted the urban landscape and its changing colors, from green to gray, and the increasing density and height of buildings as we approached the city center. Upon reaching the Recto Station, the first group-led activity commenced, which was to search for specific types of shops to feature the wide range of businesses around the area. This highlighted the role of urban areas as commerce centers that materialize even on medium and small scales, aside from central business districts (CBDs) that people often associate with urban areas.
“The area features numerous shopping centers and small businesses catering to the wide range of products and services that you can think of, such as school supplies, wearables, electronics equipment, etc.”
~ Group 1
The group also highlighted the role of transportation in the urban form of the city, mentioning that Recto is among the major transportation hubs in Metro Manila, with various transportation forms, such as the converging points of LRT Lines 1 and 2, and jeepneys and buses plying various routes within the city, all over the region’s other cities, and even to nearby provinces of the country.
Next on the itinerary was the Mall of Asia (MOA) Complex and Seaside. Compared to the first two stops, there was no direct–not that we know of–mode of transportation from Recto to MOA via railway transit. We had to first board the LRT Line 1 from Carriedo Station and alight at Taft Station. Then, the class had to walk along EDSA to ride the EDSA Carousel, a bus service route that runs north to south of Metro Manila. The MOA Complex is referred to as the largest mall in the Philippines, and the sixth largest mall in the world. Walking along the Mall of Asia, we saw people from various walks of life, signifying how the mall caters to a wide range of audience. One of the highlights of this stop was walking along the MOA Seaside and witnessing how much it changed. Instead of the breathtaking view of Manila Bay that serves as a perfect backdrop for sunsets and sunrises, the view now consists of machines dumping land across the bay, with the goal of turning it into a reclamation site. The reclamation project reflects the rapid urbanization taking place in Metro Manila, especially the ugly side of it. Marcuz Lugto, one of the members of the group assigned to facilitate this station, cites, “considering ‘yung threatening effects ng sea level rise natin, lalo na sa Manila, mas nadadagdagan ‘yung risk na lumubog ‘yung city as a whole since nag-woworsen yung effects dahil sa reclamation projects (Considering the threatening effects of sea level rise, especially in Manila, the risk of the city sinking increases due to the effects of reclamation projects)” on the implications of the so-called development initiative. Another student, Gracielle Daguimol, says, “I believe that the reclamation in MOA is futile and unnecessary. I understand that the area is being reclaimed to accompany the needs of the increasing urban population, but, in the long run, nature will take this area back.” Although development is beneficial for a city, it is a reminder that it should be, above all else, inclusive for everyone, and should not exist at the expense of a degrading environment.
From MOA, the class alights at MRT Ayala station towards the next destination: One Ayala, specifically the intermodal transport hub it boasts of. One Ayala, referred to as “a transit-oriented development,” stands not only as a mall, but also as a terminal hub that houses multiple transportation modalities that can take anyone in, within, and out of Metro Manila. Some of the modes of transportation available in the area include P2P buses, PUVs, and the MRT station connecting to the mall via a walkway. Two of the groups agreed that the One Ayala Terminal proved to be effective. Another group, however, cited that One Ayala is not as effective in terms of accessibility, especially in comparison to the next stop of the trip, Cubao.
“It increases the accessibility for all users, capacity for humane experience, given that I am just one ride away from Ayala. As a commuter from the south, One Ayala is my gateway to the Metro.”
~ Rav Tan, Group 2
“Its proximity to key business districts, residential areas, and major roads enhances accessibility, promoting efficient and sustainable commuting for residents and workers alike.”
~ Anton Santisteban, Group 4
“One Ayala does not appear accessible to the general public, given by the lack of foot traffic in the area when we arrived and the lack of direct route to One Ayala from many areas.”
~ Raf Carranza, Group 3
Altogether, considering the terminal is fairly new, it highlights the importance of efficient and accessible modes of transportation as a key interest in development. One Ayala Terminal may be considered as a blueprint in developing other transportation hubs in Metro Manila, and even in other parts of the country.
The next GEOG STOP somehow mirrors the previous one in One Ayala wherein the spotlight remains with the transportation available in an urban space. Upon arriving at Araneta Center Bus Terminal, via the MRT Cubao station, the third group emphasized the significance of Cubao as a central point of Metro Manila’s transportation. Through the tasks assigned by the designated group, students reflected on the accessibility of Cubao as a commuter hub: the provinces it serves, the quality of amenities in the station, and the availability of transportation modes to and from Metro Manila.
The responses of the groups as they reflect on the challenges facing Cubao commuters are the following:
“The biggest challenges commuters face in the Cubao area include heavy traffic congestion, especially during rush hours, which significantly delays travel times. The overcrowded public transportation, particularly buses, jeepneys, and the MRT, adds to the discomfort and stress of daily commutes. Additionally, the chaotic pedestrian environment, with insufficient crossing areas and narrow sidewalks, makes navigating the area by foot challenging. Lastly, unpredictable weather, like sudden rains, can worsen both traffic and pedestrian conditions in this busy hub.”
~ Group 4
“Long lines since the amount of commuters is greater than the capacity of the public vehicles.”
~ Group 1
“Weather Elements and Low Vehicle Capacity”
~ Group 2
Observations at the Cubao Station emphasized the need for greater terminal capacity and transportation efficiency to address commuter needs and minimize delays. If these issues are addressed, it would provide relief to commuters and may provide initial steps to solving mass transportation problems in Metro Manila.
To wrap up the Geog 135 Academic Field Activity, the class went to the Pasig River Esplanade (PARES) and reflected on the different avenues for sustainable urban development. As the development of PARES has exemplified, one of the ways our policymakers may consider including a heritage-based urban development that looks into our heritage and culture in seeking a path towards sustainable development. Emphasizing the need for a greater number of public spaces, prioritizing urban resilience in the midst of natural disasters, and equitable development by considering public welfare— urban development must necessarily consider not only the beautification of Metro Manila but more importantly, the uplifting of marginalized communities that often do not get much say in policies that directly impact their lives. The Geog 135 AFA sheds light on how important long-term and community-centered planning is in creating equitable and livable cities.
The authors are all third-year standing BS Geography students of the Department of Geography.