Thursday, March 29, 2012
Since 1611, the University of Santo Tomas has withstood
three colonial occupations, a venue change, and a World War. Clearly being the oldest university in Asia is enough to
make UST a national treasure. With
apologies to the other schools, UST is unrivaled in terms of history. Aside
from Jose Rizal and the rest of the
heroes and popular figures using the school as a stomping ground, this was the
only school the late great Pope John
Paul II visited during his World
Youth Day visit.
They also have this iconic view
where the main building and Arch of the
Centuries is surrounded by different modern buildings. With the old and new
combo, I feel like UST is one of those organizations that will welcome the
country to the future.
That’s why it’s understandable
why the whole Thomasian community is
seriously pissed on the fact that our pristine skies will have a flyover.
I take pride on the fact that I
finished my education at the royal and pontifical university. That’s why I
slight the people who taught it’s a good idea to put a huge chunk of detailed
mess on top of my stomping ground. While I realize that one of my school’s
flaws is the unbearable morning traffic, this is not enough for us Thomasians
to have a flyover. Even if this is on the side (Lacson and Espana
intersection), it will destroy whatever look UST has right now. Nevermind if
the Thomasian grounds look like its own Intramuros because of the high-rising
buildings surrounding it, the idea of the Educ building having a flyover in
front of it is just sad.
The school’s officials have
every right to turn away this idea. Aside from disrupting the activities of the
UST Hospital, this will leave a huge
mark in their iconic cityscape.
Also, the school is not all
about history and pride, it is also about education. I can’t see the students
drawing inspiration from huge chunks of metal rods, dust, and noises. While I
hated the school when you can no longer smoke inside their premises, at
hindsight it was a brave and a very good decision so whatever smoke-free
scenarios they are trying to administer will be thrown out of the window if the
construction of the flyover continues.
And don’t get me started on how
this development will affect the annual floods in Espana.
I have no idea why people would
even consider thinking of this. Whenever I watch the KBS World travel show Two
Days One Night, my heart sinks because given the advancements of Korean
technology, their heritage sites remain unharmed.
It makes me wonder if we even
care of our history at all.
For other schools, this is a
wakeup call. Ever thought of the lush greens of UP having a flyover on top of it? And while I’m at it, maybe it’s
time for the Ateneo campus to have a
flyover. And maybe it’s time for Mapua
to have another structure inside the Walled City.
And maybe they can venture to
other great things like putting a flyover above Jose Rizal’s Luneta monument?
Maybe I can bear having a cemented
roof in UST if the country’s leaders will set an example.
I think it’s time for the Malacanang Palace to have a flyover
above it.
Game over!
