ADVERTISEMENT
Manila Bulletin devider Property and Living devider The Property Geek: A 'University Belt' rises in the South

The Property Geek: A 'University Belt' rises in the South

Published Jul 11, 2025 08:15 am  |  Updated Aug 2, 2025 01:34 pm
De La Salle University – Laguna campus, located in Biñan (Photo courtesy of DLSU-Laguna Facebook)
De La Salle University – Laguna campus, located in Biñan (Photo courtesy of DLSU-Laguna Facebook)
Over the past decade, Southern Luzon has undergone a remarkable transformation, not just as an industrial and residential hub but as an emerging center for higher education. Santa Rosa, Laguna, along with the surrounding cities of Biñan, Calamba, and parts of Silang and Tagaytay, is steadily positioning itself as the "University Belt" of the South, attracting students, investors, and families seeking world-class education without the congestion of Metro Manila.
This shift is not accidental. It is the result of careful urban planning, strategic investments in infrastructure, and the growing demand for accessible quality education outside of Metro Manila. The South’s appeal is further enhanced by its greener spaces, safer environments, and the convenience of modern estates like Nuvali, Vermosa, and South Forbes.
Santa Rosa and its neighboring cities benefit greatly from their proximity to major road networks such as the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), CALAX, and the future Cavite–Laguna Expressway connector to CAVITEX. These infrastructures make daily commutes between Metro Manila and the South more manageable, allowing universities to attract both local and Metro-based students. More than just accessibility, the South offers an ideal setting for holistic development, combining suburban calm with urban opportunity. It’s no surprise that top-tier academic institutions have begun to plant roots here.
Institutions leading the way
Among the pioneers is De La Salle University – Laguna Campus, located in Biñan. Established in 2003, the DLSU Laguna Campus serves as an extension of the Taft institution, offering strong programs in engineering, science, business, and the arts. The campus is integrated within the DLSU Science and Technology Complex, a 50-hectare hub dedicated to innovation and interdisciplinary learning. This sprawling facility mirrors the progressive academic culture DLSU is known for, but in a more expansive and serene Southern setting.
Not far from it, the University of Santo Tomas – Sta. Rosa Campus is set to become another academic landmark, currently under development on a 40-hectare property within the burgeoning city. The UST Sta. Rosa is envisioned to be a modern campus with world-class facilities, combining the university’s rich heritage with future-ready programs. Its opening is highly anticipated by families looking for quality Catholic education closer to home.
The Rizal Building of Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna (Photo courtesy of Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna website)
The Rizal Building of Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna (Photo courtesy of Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna website)
Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mapúa University, has also made a significant mark in Cabuyao. Known for its strong engineering and technology programs, Malayan offers cutting-edge courses designed for the demands of today’s industries. Their campus is modern and well-equipped, contributing to the region’s academic prestige.
Other notable institutions such as Brent International School in Biñan, Dominican College of Sta. Rosa, Adventist University of the Philippines, and Laguna State Polytechnic University continue to serve various educational niches, from basic education to specialized tertiary programs.
As Metro Manila faces issues of overpopulation, traffic congestion, and limited space for expansion, the South is emerging as a viable and even preferable alternative for educational growth. With its blend of progressive institutions, modern infrastructure, and balanced lifestyle, Santa Rosa and its surrounding areas are not just creating a new university belt, they are defining the future of how and where we learn.

Related Tags

The Property Geek University of Santo Tomas – Sta. Rosa Campus De La Salle University – Laguna Campus Malayan Colleges Laguna Brent International School
ADVERTISEMENT
.most-popular .layout-ratio{ padding-bottom: 79.13%; } @media (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1024px) { .widget-title { font-size: 15px !important; } }

{{ articles_filter_1561_widget.title }}

{{ item.title }}
.most-popular .layout-ratio{ padding-bottom: 79.13%; } @media (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1024px) { .widget-title { font-size: 15px !important; } }

{{ articles_filter_1562_widget.title }}

{{ item.title }}
.most-popular .layout-ratio{ padding-bottom: 79.13%; } @media (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1024px) { .widget-title { font-size: 15px !important; } }

{{ articles_filter_1563_widget.title }}

{{ item.title }}

{{ articles_filter_1564_widget.title }}

{{ item.title }}
.mb-article-details { position: relative; } .mb-article-details .article-body-preview, .mb-article-details .article-body-summary{ font-size: 17px; line-height: 30px; font-family: "Libre Caslon Text", serif; color: #000; } .mb-article-details .article-body-preview iframe , .mb-article-details .article-body-summary iframe{ width: 100%; margin: auto; } .read-more-background { background: linear-gradient(180deg, color(display-p3 1.000 1.000 1.000 / 0) 13.75%, color(display-p3 1.000 1.000 1.000 / 0.8) 30.79%, color(display-p3 1.000 1.000 1.000) 72.5%); position: absolute; height: 200px; width: 100%; bottom: 0; display: flex; justify-content: center; align-items: center; padding: 0; } .read-more-background a{ color: #000; } .read-more-btn { padding: 17px 45px; font-family: Inter; font-weight: 700; font-size: 18px; line-height: 16px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; border: 1px solid black; background-color: white; } .hidden { display: none; }
function initializeAllSwipers() { // Get all hidden inputs with cms_article_id document.querySelectorAll('[id^="cms_article_id_"]').forEach(function (input) { const cmsArticleId = input.value; const articleSelector = '#article-' + cmsArticleId + ' .body_images'; const swiperElement = document.querySelector(articleSelector); if (swiperElement && !swiperElement.classList.contains('swiper-initialized')) { new Swiper(articleSelector, { loop: true, pagination: false, navigation: { nextEl: '#article-' + cmsArticleId + ' .swiper-button-next', prevEl: '#article-' + cmsArticleId + ' .swiper-button-prev', }, }); } }); } setTimeout(initializeAllSwipers, 3000); const intersectionObserver = new IntersectionObserver( (entries) => { entries.forEach((entry) => { if (entry.isIntersecting) { const newUrl = entry.target.getAttribute("data-url"); if (newUrl) { history.pushState(null, null, newUrl); let article = entry.target; // Extract metadata const author = article.querySelector('.author-section').textContent.replace('By', '').trim(); const section = article.querySelector('.section-info ').textContent.replace(' ', ' '); const title = article.querySelector('.article-title h1').textContent; // Parse URL for Chartbeat path format const parsedUrl = new URL(newUrl, window.location.origin); const cleanUrl = parsedUrl.host + parsedUrl.pathname; // Update Chartbeat configuration if (typeof window._sf_async_config !== 'undefined') { window._sf_async_config.path = cleanUrl; window._sf_async_config.sections = section; window._sf_async_config.authors = author; } // Track virtual page view with Chartbeat if (typeof pSUPERFLY !== 'undefined' && typeof pSUPERFLY.virtualPage === 'function') { try { pSUPERFLY.virtualPage({ path: cleanUrl, title: title, sections: section, authors: author }); } catch (error) { console.error('ping error', error); } } // Optional: Update document title if (title && title !== document.title) { document.title = title; } } } }); }, { threshold: 0.1 } ); function showArticleBody(button) { const article = button.closest("article"); const summary = article.querySelector(".article-body-summary"); const body = article.querySelector(".article-body-preview"); const readMoreSection = article.querySelector(".read-more-background"); // Hide summary and read-more section summary.style.display = "none"; readMoreSection.style.display = "none"; // Show the full article body body.classList.remove("hidden"); } document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", () => { let loadCount = 0; // Track how many times articles are loaded const offset = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]; // Offset values const currentUrl = window.location.pathname.substring(1); let isLoading = false; // Prevent multiple calls if (!currentUrl) { console.log("Current URL is invalid."); return; } const sentinel = document.getElementById("load-more-sentinel"); if (!sentinel) { console.log("Sentinel element not found."); return; } function isSentinelVisible() { const rect = sentinel.getBoundingClientRect(); return ( rect.top < window.innerHeight && rect.bottom >= 0 ); } function onScroll() { if (isLoading) return; if (isSentinelVisible()) { if (loadCount >= offset.length) { console.log("Maximum load attempts reached."); window.removeEventListener("scroll", onScroll); return; } isLoading = true; const currentOffset = offset[loadCount]; window.loadMoreItems().then(() => { let article = document.querySelector('#widget_1690 > div:nth-last-of-type(2) article'); intersectionObserver.observe(article) loadCount++; }).catch(error => { console.error("Error loading more items:", error); }).finally(() => { isLoading = false; }); } } window.addEventListener("scroll", onScroll); });
Join Our Newsletters

Sign up by email to receive news.

© 2025 Manila Bulletin The Nation's Leading Newspaper. All Rights Reserved.