Places to stay: Richville Place
Richville Place, Lacson Street
The lobby. Has a study area with glass tables, swivel chairs, and a few lamps. There are around 20 seats and it's available for use 24 hours - you can study as long as you wish (even until the wee hours of the morning). It's very conducive to studying, since everyone around you is studying as well - and most are med students too! The lobby also has air conditioning - though it's not used at all times, and it doesn't get cold. A couple of electric fans are provided, to give ventilation and to ward off mosquitoes (invest in your mosquito repellent lotion).
The room. They have units of different cuts and sizes. The units are pretty small, especially if you're on a budget. To give you an idea, for their smallest unit of 10 square meters, the rent is around P 9,000. Don't get discouraged though - you may not be able to fit a study table inside the room, but you wouldn't need one anyway, since it's much better to study in the lobby, away from the temptation of your bed. If you can expand your budget a bit, they have bigger units too, where you will be able to fit refrigerators and dining tables. (I suggest you take a look at the different units before you make rash decisions.) You may find the bathroom to be a bit small at first, but you'll learn to live with it - it's not that bad. There is no sink in the bathroom - there is only one sink in the room, by the door. There are however, some special units with bathroom sinks - if it's that much of a deal breaker to you. All units have their own accessible balcony - useful for getting some fresh air or hanging clothes out to dry. Most importantly, the units don't feel like a prison cell. The units have big windows which allow sunlight to enter, and the light colored wall paint and tile flooring make the room un-gloomy.
Security. CCTV 24/7, and a guard is always standing by the entrance, greeting you good morning, good afternoon, good evening, or good morning again (if you're coming home past midnight). There's no curfew for the residents, but there is a curfew for visitors. Your guests can only stay until 10 pm. You may host a sleep-over, but this requires a letter to the administration a few days before (as they will have to confirm with your parents), if they are not already on the list of people allowed to sleep over upon contract signing (Yes, your family can sleep over as much as they'd like). No alcohol.
Amenities. Internet and pool - pay per use. Gym - 500 monthly. You may connect to the Internet at the lobby, an hour for 20 pesos. There is a vending machine which gives out a username and password, which you can input into any of your devices. For parking, they have a few slots in front of the building for drop-offs, and two floors in the building for overnight parking, with corresponding fees.
Location. The walk to UST will take around 7 minutes, depending on your pace, and the stoplights. McDonald's, Jollibee, Mercury Drug Store, and other establishments are just across the street. Commute is no problem, since jeepneys and taxis pass through Lacson street all the time. When going to, or coming from a group study via taxi, you can always be dropped off right in front of the building. Needless to say, Richville has a very convenient location.
Richville Place is owned by the same developer as Vivere Hotel, so you know you're in good hands.
Happy hunting!