UP Sunken Garden
University of the Philippines Sunken Garden
Next to the UP Oblation, the Sunken Garden would be the most famous landmark of the University of the Philippines. It is in the heart of the 2.2 km. Academic Oval surrounded by acacia trees. It has been the most favorable place for the UP and non-UP communities for its wide and shady area to present a place for a number of activities. The setting of the sun provides a perfect backdrop for the people who want to spend time in the Garden.
A. Background
The General del Pilar Parade Grounds is the official name of the Sunken Garden, as it is popularly called. It is a five-hectare area of vast land—which is able to serve almost three football fields—and is the largest vacant land in the Diliman campus where various outdoor activities can be performed. It was basically, a basin and is believed to sink every year since it lies in a fault line. Because of the water spring that originates from it, the Sunken Garden used to be half-submerged in water.
B. Surrounding Buildings
The UP Sunken Garden is surrounded by a number of buildings:
To its North lies the Malcolm Hall—College of Law
To its South lies the Benitez Hall—College of Education
To its East lies the Vinzons Hall (where one has an exact view of the Garden) and the College of Business Administration
To its West is the Gonzales Hall—University Library or Main Library
C. Surrounding Artifacts
Aside from the buildings, the Sunken Garden is also circumferenced by artifacts like the following:
1. ''Beltran''
These are the benches that line the edges of the Sunken Garden. They give a more comfortable option for those who are not too fond of Indian-sitting/sitting on the grass. They were built in memory of the late and highly respected Luis Beltran. In fact, each bench bears the name of a colleague or a friend of him.
2. ''Acacia Trees''
The view of the Sunken would not be complete without the trees that encircle it. The trees are mainly Acacia trees where students and non-students stay under its shades for school work and other activities.
3. ''Grandstand''
Here in the Sunken lies the Grandstand that provides an overlook of the five-hectare expanse. The old Grandstand is a box-like structure that resembles to a torii—a gateway of a Shinto temple. It is a long open one that looked like a waiting shed. Architect Froilan Hong’s modification of the initial design transformed the box-like structure into a pyramid-design one with a red roofing and four-angled pegs. The new Grandstand accentuates the vast empty space of green grass.
D. Events
1. ''Cadena de Amor Festival''
1950 CDA Festival
2. ''ROTC''
The General del Pilar Parade grounds is where ROTC Cadets undergo their Citizens Military Training or CMT. Every weekend, a large gathering of males stand and march in the field for hours. It is also the venue for the annual presentation of corps sponsors at the end of first semester.
3. ''Latagaw Cup''
Through the year, the Sunken becomes a venue for a lot of sport activities and festivals. One of which is the Latagaw Cup , a soccer event competed by various student organizations inside the University of the Philippines. Philippine indigenous games are also held here as part of the celebration of the UP Diliman Month during February. During summer, you will see Frisbee throwers, kite flyers with kites of different shapes and sizes all over the field.
4. ''UP Fair''