Fire razes home of UP’s brightest artists, intellectuals

The blaze destroyed the Art Studies teacher’s master’s thesis on installation art at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. He also lost his books worth at least P70,000 – the most expensive possession he declared in his statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth.

It also burned down his roommate’s archive – a rare collection of church music from the 1800’s to 1900’s. 

The fire started at around 1:26 am, according to the Quezon City fire department, and was declared under control at 4:40 am.

In about 3 hours, it erased bodies of work across disciplines – history, art, literature, languages, philosophy, political science, sociology, and anthropology.

UP Diliman Chancellor Michael Tan: Biggest loss in Faculty Center fire is in terms of records, papers @rapplerdotcom pic.twitter.com/TBmlVoyLHo

— Voltaire Tupaz (@VoltaireTupaz) March 31, 2016

“(Faculty members) know the value of what was lost,” UP Diliman Chancellor Michael Tan said, noting that “you cannot put a peso value of what was lost in terms of years of research.” 

The Faculty Center, also known as Bulwagang Rizal (Rizal Hall), mainly houses the offices and faculty rooms of the College of Arts and Letters (CAL) and the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP).

UPD Chancellor Tan: The Faculty Center’s a very historic building, one of the most beautiful when it was first built pic.twitter.com/CigeGperef

— Voltaire Tupaz (@VoltaireTupaz) March 31, 2016

Heart of the university

“It’s really painful. It’s been the home of the best and brightest artists, intellectuals, and movers. It’s the heart of the university,” Yambao said.

Among the notable UP faculty members and alumni who either taught or delivered lectures at the Faculty Center are National Artists like Virgilio S. Almario and Bienvenido Lumbera, and the late Carlos P. Romulo, Amado V. Henandez, N.V.M. Gonzalez, Lino Brocka, and Ishmael Bernal.

Professor Jose Wendell Capili, writer and UP Office of Alumni Relations director, was at a loss for words after seeing on social media that the building was up in flames. He passed by the building shortly before the fire broke out. 

Capili, whose room on the 3rd floor was once occupied by National Artist for Literature N.V.M. Gonzalez, said that the blaze did not only wipe out archives but also historic memories that the Faculty Center treasures.

“During Martial Law, the Faculty Center was the site of resistance and free discourse,” Capili told Rappler.

Affected faculty members

Tan, a medical anthropologist and writer, said his heart goes out to some 250 faculty members who will be relocated. He said he is thankful no one was hurt and shared his colleague’s  anguish.

“I’ve been with UP for 30 years. I grew up with the Faculty Center as well. How will we replace what is lost?”

UPD Chancellor Michael Tan says his heart goes out to 250 faculty members who will be relocated @rapplerdotcom pic.twitter.com/8HJUqzeWEE

— Voltaire Tupaz (@VoltaireTupaz) March 31, 2016

“Nakita mo yung iba dito umiiyak, and that included yung mga batang faculty, so hindi lang yung matatanda na marami nang materials,” Tan noted.