Aside from living close to campus, one of the reasons why I decided to move near UP Diliman when I started working on my masters degree is so that I could be near the Academic Oval. I am virtually the laziest person you will ever get to meet as far as exercising is concerned, and I have wasted good hard-earned money on gym memberships which basically didn't help me at all. But when I do feel like lacing my trainers on and getting a good cardio workout, I always find it convenient that the Oval is just there, waiting for me. The Oval is perfect for those who want to shed off the stubborn fats and get rid of the last few inches around their waists. The course of the oval takes one around the key buildings and historical points of interests in the campus such as the iconic Palma Hall and the Oblation statue. The pros: it is free, it is surrounded by woods and green areas where you can breathe fresh air and be one with your surroundings, it is well-paved and the roads are relatively even to the feet, it has a gradual slope that can increase the intensity of your cardio workout, and it has a separate lane for joggers and bikers to enjoy and not worry about getting ran over by a vehicle. The cons: it can get pretty crowded at times, the smoke from the jeeps and cars in the other lane can get pretty thick during the rush hour, parking may be a bit difficult during peak times, and there is always the temptation of getting your run cut short because of the fishball and kwek kwek stalls nearby. I always feel at home when I walk or run under the towering century-old acacia trees that line the Oval. read more

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Honestly, I'd like to rave about how the ancient towering acacias form a canopy above the lane because the imagery paints a cinematic scene. But then, I run at night and besides some phantom shade, all the drama these trees provide happen only in my head. (Though once, I began my routine at sunset and I just literally kept staring upward at nature's artwork - foliage casting an elaborate pattern against a sky that slowly turned from blue to burnt orange, to pink, to purple, before everything ultimately faded to black.) So now, I am left to describe a runner among many others, alone behind his earphones, chasing statistics on the RunKeeper app, unceremoniously cruising past school buildings, jeepney stops and an assortment of food vendors. The oval is 2.2 km, meaning I do a little more than four and a half laps in order to reach 10k. This is less repetitious compared to the other tracks I run. Also, the air here is fresher. The fact too that it is paved with asphalt is a plus - not as ideal as the rubberized artificial surface at the Ateneo's Moro Lorenzo Sports Center, or at ULTRA, but according to fitness fanatic friends, it is definitely better for my knees than hard concrete. Usually, I leave my car in front of the Conservatory of Music, near Abelardo Hall and the Carillion. I used to park near the The College of Arts and Letters but a friend told me that it's actually safer here. Besides, on a good day, a young musician's cello would fill the air with the perfect soundtrack for my stretching exercises. Just before I hit the ground and drown the world with Spotify's The Happy Hipster playlist, chase statistics on the RunKeeper app, and unceremoniously cruise past school buildings, jeepney stops and an assortment of food vendors. read more

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This has always been the place for me to walk around and just think, back in my student days, especially when I am stuck on a difficult assignment. After walking part or all of the academic oval, my mind feels refreshed. And that's no surprise, as the acad oval is full of trees and grass. Now, after graduating, I just walk here to enjoy nature in the rare times I find myself in UP. A fellow member in a poetry organization wrote that the trees look like they are shaking hands, as their branches touch. I savor details like this when I walk around the academic oval. The golden hour during the afternoon is especially beautiful, as the trees and leaves are bathed in a golden glow. I am fascinated by details like that of the Melchor Hall (College of Engineering) and Palma Hall (College of Social Sciences and Philosophy) standing at opposite sides of the oval and are replicas. Why not try walking the acad oval and just enjoy the view around you? Of trees, grass, buildings. Of joggers and vendors. Take a break in between walking to buy ice cream, taho, or other street food there from the friendly UP vendors. read more

UP Academic Oval - Just some of the acacia trees at Acad Oval - Colleges & Universities Near Me - Quezon City, NCR

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Back when I was really into running, my girlfriend insisted that I try out the UP Academic Oval. She used to run here when she had the time, and swears by it. According to her, it's the best running route in the metro, hands down. So I tried it. In my review of Baywalk, I mentioned that THAT was my favorite running route, and that still holds true. I am a sea lover at heart. But this, this place comes at a close second. The Oval is approximately (or exactly, I don't know who measured it) 2.2 kilometers, so you don't have to worry about keeping track of your distance. It is line with huge and ancient acacia trees that keep the sun at bay and the breeze constantly blowing. There are also a bunch of food stalls scattered all over the place. Heavenly, really. Now, to stop procrastinating and start running again. Help? read more

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As you can tell from our reviews, my lobster and I really really liked food, which might explain how we gained all this weight together so we vowed to lose it together as well. Going from the couch-and-potato-chips life, though, to a more active one takes patience and determination (which we in fact did not have). My lobster thought we needed a goal to get us going so he signed us up for a 4.4k fun run (we had a choice between this and the NatGeo run, but the latter meant more people seeing our flabs swinging this way and that and oh hell no). We of course ended up procrastinating which meant we failed to prepare for the run at all. At least, though, we got to enjoy the sights and sounds of the UP Academic Oval on a Sunday morning while we tried not to pass out as runner after runner overtook us on the track. It was like Captain America's on-your-left jibe at The Falcon, but much less cooler. The Oval itself was...oval. If it wasn't for the pressure that comes from not wanting to stagger across the finish line dead last, it would have made for a great place to run. There are also lots of places to eat around the Oval, so those calories you just lost? Say hello to them again, and guess what, they brought friends. read more

On many weekends, my family travels all the way to UP Oval early in the morning to jog, bike, play some Frisbee, and other family activities. There are plenty of other people around, but most keep to their own business and don't take up too much space or make too much noise. Usually, while my family exercises, I just like to walk around and enjoy the vibe of the place. It's a clean area, with plenty of greenery to bring out the fresh air that's so hard to find in Metro Manila. On the off chance that I do exercise, it's a beautiful route, and since the oval is 2.2 kilometers, I only have to do a little less than 3 turns to do a 6k (which is probably enough exercise for a month for someone like me!). Once you finish, you can head on over to Maginhawa or Banawe for something to eat for lunch (or a full blown food trip, if that's your style). read more

UP campuses are quite known for its wide open spaces, and among the entire system of about a dozen or so campuses, the most famous one would arguably be the UP academic oval in UP Diliman. This famous circle is know for a variety of reasons, but all typically inclined towards having an active lifestyle. A usual route for runners-in-training, the academic oval serves as a good training field mainly because it gives you at about 2.2 km right off the bat! With the standard for marathons being 5 km or more, getting used to running a couple of rounds or so along this oval will definitely help you prep up for the big run. If you're an upcoming student here though, I have to tell you, walking around this tree-engulfed route has its therapeutic effect too - most especially when you're contemplating dimly on your immediate future due to a hellacious exam. But, perhaps one of the most notable things about the oval though, you can learn firsthand every December. Home of the annual lantern parade, catch a glimpse of a vibrant collection of floats, costumes and every other innovation the Fine Arts department can muster up during the most colorful season of the year! read more