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Keywords

document forgery, Lefebvre, production of space, Recto Avenue, Recto University

Abstract

This paper examines the anatomy of the so-called “Recto University,” the informal and illegal industry of document forgery thriving along Recto Avenue in Manila. Using Henri Lefebvre’s Production of Space and his Spatial Triad spatial practice, conceived space, and lived space—the study analyzes how this space is produced, utilized, and imbued with meaning. It describes the dynamic operations among runners, masters, operators, clients, and even government actors to reveal the tensions between formal and informal, legal and illegal spaces. The paper further illustrates how Recto University emerges as a mechanism for survival amid limited economic opportunities and within a system that demands documented identity for employment and access to services. Ultimately, the analysis argues that Recto University is not merely a hub of illegality but a space produced through unequal power relations, marginalized economies, and social capital that binds together actors striving for livelihood and existence within the city.

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