Commercialization vs. Community Spirit:
The Case of the University of the Philippines
and the Rise of "DiliMall" in the former Shopping Center
The University of the Philippines (UP) has long stood as a symbol of community, progressive ideals, and intellectual resistance. Yet, recent developments, such as the opening of DiliMall—a three-story commercial complex replacing the historic UP Shopping Center—have sparked fierce debate over the institution’s identity and direction. For many, the rise of DiliMall signals not modernization but a deeper shift toward commercialization, threatening the university’s core values.
From Scholar to Profiteer
It is not surprising that businessmen and profiteers have replaced scholars as the new face of UP. This transformation reflects the bourgeoisification of an institution that was meant to be a microcosm of the nation, producing graduates who counter the establishment and assert the aspirations of the people.
The UP Shopping Center, destroyed by fire in 2018, was a hub of local enterprise and community engagement. Its replacement by DiliMall, housing tenants like Robinsons Easymart—a supermarket owned by Robinsons Retail Holdings under Robina Gokongwei-Pe—marks a turning point. Gokongwei-Pe, a patron of the UP Fighting Maroons basketball team, represents the tightening grip of corporate interests on UP’s campus spaces.
The False Promise of Modernization
Supporters of ventures like DiliMall may reframe them as efforts toward modernization or income generation for the university. On the surface, this sounds reasonable—an attempt to improve infrastructure and sustain financial viability. However, the reality of commercialization trumps these justifications. Instead of enhancing the university-community and promoting the well-being of its people, such ventures perpetuate gentrification at the expense of the very community they claim to serve.
This is not an isolated case. Earlier developments such as UP Ayala Technohub and UP Town Center have already set a precedent, replacing community-oriented spaces with high-end commercial complexes. These projects prioritize profits over inclusivity, displacing small businesses and eroding the communal spirit that once defined UP’s campus life.
Erosion of Community Spirit
Critics, including the UP Not For Sale Network, argue that these developments are fundamentally “anti-student.” By prioritizing corporate tenants over small, local enterprises, the university undermines its commitment to inclusivity and accessibility. Affordable services, essential for low-income students, are increasingly being replaced by businesses catering to higher-income patrons.
This shift runs counter to UP’s motto of Honor, Excellence, and Service. The university is meant to serve as a platform for inclusive growth, intellectual freedom, and public service. Commercialization reduces students and faculty to passive consumers in a market-driven environment, undermining their role as active participants in a vibrant, progressive community.
A Crisis of Values
At its core, the debate over DiliMall is about more than buildings or income generation. It is a reflection of the institution’s priorities and values. Can UP still call itself a microcosm of the nation when it perpetuates gentrification and marginalizes the very community it serves? Can it still claim to uphold the aspirations of the people when its spaces are increasingly controlled by private corporations?
The growing corporate presence represents a fundamental shift in UP’s identity. Instead of fostering critical thought and producing graduates who challenge societal inequities, the university risks becoming an extension of the very establishment it was meant to counter.
Reclaiming UP’s Spirit
Modernization need not come at the expense of community. True progress lies in striking a balance—upgrading infrastructure while preserving spaces that foster inclusivity and equity. The challenge for UP is to resist the commodification of its spaces and reclaim its identity as a space for scholars, not profiteers.
The debate over DiliMall must prompt the university to reflect on its mission and values. Only by prioritizing the well-being of its community can UP stay true to its motto and its legacy as a crucible for critical thought and a champion of the people’s aspirations.