Master the Monumento Circle. Guide to SM Grand Central, LRT-1 Monumento, and CAMANAVA jeepney terminals. Your gateway to Northern Luzon.
Primary Anchors:
- LRT-1 Monumento Station
- (The Rail Head), Victory Liner Terminal (North Provincial), and SM City Grand Central.
Monumento Caloocan: The Grand Roundabout (The Bonifacio Circle)
Monumento is the “Northern Gate” of the City of Manila and the primary link between the CAMANAVA area (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela) and the rest of the metro.
Key Takeaways
- The “Grand Central” Mall-Link
- In 2026, SM City Grand Central is your operational base. It is directly connected to the LRT-1 Monumento Station via a footbridge. Use the mall’s interior to bypass the heavy exhaust and heat of the Rizal Avenue Extension.
- The “EDSA-Rizal” Intersection
- This is where EDSA begins/ends. The traffic logic here is a massive circle. If you are crossing from the Caloocan side to the Malabon side, use the pedestrian overpasses; the ground-level traffic is extremely unpredictable
- The “Early-Bird” Provincial Logic
- Because Victory Liner and other North-bound buses are based here, the area is active 24/7. However, the safest “waiting zones” at night are inside the bus terminals or the 24-hour convenience stores near the LRT.
The Circle Walk: The Path: LRT-1 Monumento ➡️ SM Grand Central ➡️ Bonifacio Monument ➡️ Victory Central Mall.
Operational Note: This route allows you to see the historic Bonifacio Monument while staying close to the major transit lines.
Safety Hint: This is a high-density area. Keep your phone tucked away while walking near the Jeepney terminals on Samson Road.
Commuter Survival Tip: “The Balintawak Bypass”
If the LRT-1 is crowded, walk to the EDSA Carousel Monumento station. The buses take the Skyway/Elevated lane to Balintawak, bypassing the massive “Cloverleaf” traffic that usually traps jeepneys and private cars for 20+ minutes.
Important Sites & Street-Level Access
- UE Caloocan / MCU (Manila Central University):
- Location: Samson Road and EDSA.
- Access: Walk from the LRT-1 Monumento Station. MCU is a 5-minute walk heading toward the EDSA-Balintawak side.
- Caloocan City Hall (South):
- Location: A. Mabini St.
- Access: Ride a “Mabini” or “Sangandaan” jeepney from the Monumento Circle. It is a 10-minute ride.
- SM Grand Central Office Towers:
- Location: Rizal Avenue Extension.
- Access: Direct Access via the mall. This is the newest BPO and recruitment hub in the North, designed to capture the CAMANAVA workforce.
- Victory Central Mall Recruitment Row:
- Location: Rizal Ave.
- Access: Walk from the LRT station. Many smaller manpower agencies for domestic and sea-based work are clustered in the older buildings here
- Victory Central Mall:
- Location: Beside the Victory Liner terminal.
- Access: Walk from the LRT. Known for budget tech repairs and clothing.
- Monumento Market / Puregold Monumento:
- Location: Samson Road.
- Access: Walk from the circle. This is the “Fresh Goods” hub of the district.
- MCU Hospital:
- Location: EDSA, Caloocan.
- Access: Walk from the LRT Monumento Station (Eastbound side).
- Victory Liner Terminal:
- Location: Rizal Ave Ext.
- Access: Walk from the LRT. This is the primary gateway to Baguio, Zambales, and Pangasinan.
Local Mode Logic (The “CAMANAVA” Link)
- Malabon/Navotas Jeeps: These load along Samson Road. Look for “Malabon/Letre” or “Navotas” signs.
- Valenzuela Jeeps: These load along the McArthur Highway side of the circle.
Return Logic (The Exit Strategy)
- To Manila (Taft/Gil Puyat): Take the LRT-1 Southbound from Monumento Station.
- To Quezon City (SM North/Trinoma): Take the EDSA Carousel (Northbound/Eastbound). The station is located near the MCU footbridge.
- To Bulacan/North: Head to the McArthur Highway side and take a “Malolos” or “Meycauayan” jeepney/UV Express.
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| Transit | lines, terminals, schedules |
| Street Logic | walkable systems & district patterns |
| Commute Index | fares, ticketing, universal rules |
| Start Here | new, unsure, or arriving |
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Found outdated or incorrect information? Submit a correction.Disclaimer: The information here is for guidance only. Buses and Trains schedules and fares are subject to change based on traffic, weather and maintenance without notice from the operators. Always allow extra time for your trip. Safe travels – KA-Atlas!