Things to Do In Ateneo If You’re Not a Student

(SPOT.ph) Getting into Ateneo de Manila University isn’t easy—and we’re not even talking about its entrance exam. Each gate to the campus’ bubble along Katipunan Avenue in QC has a guard on the lookout for a school ID. While this would curb-stomp most alumni and visitors hoping to explore, there are actually many things to do within school premises that don’t require more than either identification or a letter addressed to the institution you’d like to visit. Just remember you can’t just hop from one spot to another—be sure to get your permission first!

This means exploring Ateneo for the sake of exploring—or some good ol’ nostalgia, or even for just enjoying the view of the trees and old buildings—are definitely still on the table.

Here’s a list of things visitors can do on-campus for the next time you have plans near the Ateneo area:

1. Check out contemporary Filipino art at the Ateneo Art Gallery

Many people forget that Ateneo isn’t just home to a university, but also a creative space. Its hub for all things arts and culture is Areté, where you’ll find the Ateneo Art Gallery—which, fun fact: is actually considered to be the first museum of Philippine Modern Art since it was established in 1960. Always on display is its extensive collection of contemporary art by Filipino artists, from National Artists like H.R. Ocampo and Arturo Luz to icons like Fernando Zobel and Roberto Chabet. But stay tuned for their special exhibitions, such as the ongoing Void of Spectacles by Mark Justiniani (where you get to walk on glass and challenge your fear of heights while at it) and Matrix II: Women Artists from the collections of the gallery and historian Ambeth R. Ocampo.

Unlike most spaces in Ateneo, the gallery actually accepts walk-ins—just be sure to present a valid photo ID to Gate 3 or 3.5 of the campus. And while they’re there, don’t miss the small gift shop in the lobby, where you can shop specialty coffee beans from Allo Roasters and S.O. Coffee, as well as copies of Ambeth Ocampo’s Looking Back book series.

Ateneo Art Gallery is located in the Soledad V Pangilinan Arts Wing, Areté, University Road. Open Mondays to Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information, visit the gallery’s official website.

Also read: The UP Libraries' 10 Most Important Cultural Treasures

2. Admire the award-winning architecture of the Church of the Gesù

Quezon City has its share of architectural gems, and one of them stands inside Ateneo’s campus. Across Bellarmine field, you’ll find the imposing and sleek Church of the Gesù—a massive tetrahedral church inspired by both the Holy Trinity and traditional bahay kubo. Designed by architects Jose Pedro Revio and Carmelo Casas, it was one of the first-ever recipients of the NCCA’s Haligi ng Dangal Awards for architecture. Be sure to look at it from both the outside and inside to appreciate its huge slanted roofs and wide windows. You can also join masses on the first and third Sundays of every month! 

Located in Bellarmine Field. To learn more, visit the Church of the Gesù’sFacebookpage.

3. Buy fresh vegetables straight from farmers at the Iggy’s Talipapa 

Not many people are aware of the fact that you can shop fresh vegetables for relatively low prices right on the Ateneo campus. Just head over to Iggy’s Talipapa run by non-profit Tanging Yaman Foundation, which acquires tons of produce from north and central Luzon farmers to distribute to Metro Manila parishes and feeding centers. What doesn’t get sent to them gets sold in their makeshift store or is used for the wallet-friendly meals at Iggy’s Canteen—which, by the way, also provides a livelihood for many members of Tanging Yaman’s partner communities. 

Make sure to keep an eye out for their schedules on their social media platforms! 

Located on Wellness Road (near the Jesuit Communications office). For more information, visit the Tanging Yaman Facebook. 

4. Grab a book at the Ateneo University Press Store 

More than just being a university, Ateneo also has its own publishing house—and the Ateneo University Press Store is where you can shop the books they publish, both fiction and non-fiction. You can find novels, short stories, poetry books and anthologies by established authors like Ricky Lee, Glenn Diaz, and Eric Gamalinda, as well as up-and-coming writers. If you’re on the hunt for books on the more academic end of the spectrum, you’ll find many on the subjects of sociology and anthropology, Mindanao studies, Martial Law, cultural criticism, and more. 

Located at G/F Bellarmine Hall. Open Mondays to Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. and Fridays from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. For more information, visit the Ateneo University Press Store’s official website. 

5. Read rare Filipiniana books at the Old Rizal Library 

Located in First Pacific Hall, Ateneo’s Rizal Library has every book and journal a student would need to get through a course and more. But what first-time visitors may not know is that it has a special building containing a lot of more uncommon books. Also known as the Old Rizal Lib, the Special Collections building contains everything from its Ateneo Library of Women’s Writings dedicated to Filipina authors to its Filipiniana Section, including a rare copy of Wilfrido D. Nolledo’s But For the Lovers—considered by many to be one of the most interesting novels written about World War II. 

At the Old Rizal Lib, you’ll also find the Pardo de Tavera Collection—which has decades’ worth of items from the personal collections of historians and writers, including 19th century imprinted of the iconic Flora de Filipinas and 638,000 photos arranged by subject from The Manila Times Photo Morgue. 

To visit the Rizal Library and its Special Collections Building, follow the visitor guidelines found on their official website. Open from Mondays to Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hours for specific collections may vary. For more information, visit the Rizal Library’s Facebook. 

6. Dig through the University Archives 

More than just rare books, Ateneo is home to actual historical gems—though you’d have to be either a researcher or alumni to get access to them. Front and center is the rosary that National Hero and Ateneo graduate Jose Rizal was said to have clutched while imprisoned in Fort Santiago—displayed alongside a letter addressed to his sister Maria, and a small statue of the Sacred Heart he carved as a student. Even older than this is the Virgin Mary statue that once stood in the school’s original Intramuros campus, dating back to when the school was called Immaculate Conception rather than Ateneo de Manila! 

Alumni in particular are especially welcome to come by—the University Archives has a collection of the Aegis yearbook that it encourages graduates to sign. You’ll also find old issues of The Guidon and student theses, giving a glimpse to student life at Ateneo through the decades.  

To visit, send a letter and set an appointment through archives@ateneo.edu. 

7. Break a sweat at the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center 

Your usual gym just not cutting it for you? You can plan a sporty day with your friends at the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center. While you could totally get a membership at its fitness gym—which comes with an extensive set of equipment, even a deadlift platform—Moro Lorenzo also allows you to rent out its indoor mini track oval and its basketball, volleyball, and badminton courts! Keep an eye out as well for their workshops and programs, which can include anything from first aid to badminton. 

For more information and inquiries, visit the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center Facebook page. 

8. Shop Ateneo merch at A Shop 

If you’re alumni or just an aspiring Atenista, there’s definitely no harm looking the part—and there’s definitely plenty of Ateneo merch options at A Shop. And they're not just your usual t-shirts, hoodies, tote bags, and lanyards; you can also get themed fountain pens, insulated mugs, flash drives, and more. And if merch is not your thing, you can also drop by for any bookstore needs you might to check off your shopping list while in the area.  

Located on the G/F MVP Center. Open Mondays to Fridays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. For more information, visit A Shop: One Big Store’s Facebook.  

All photographs by Jason Quibilan, assisted by Itos Bengzon.

Also read: UST Library and Archives' 12 Most Important Cultural Treasures