What does the UP Faculty Center look like after the fire?

MANILA, Philippines – When fire swept through the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman’s Faculty Center on April 1, those who called the building home had anticipated the worst.

Rappler was able to obtain a video from prizewinning author Jose “Butch” Dalisay Jr – former chair of the UP Department of English and Comparative Literature and vice president for public affairs of the UP System – showing the extent of the damage.

In the video, firefighters walked through the halls that many of the country’s best artists once passed.

What were once areas filled with books and memorabilia were charred; beams that used to be hidden were exposed. Tables, books, and other items were reduced to ashes. A typewriter, though broken, remarkably survived.

For the professors who called the UPFC home, the estimated losses – placed at P3 million – do not cover the valuable materials that they have gathered and cherished throughout the years. (READ: Fire razes home of UP’s brightest artists, intellectuals)

This was not the first fire to destroy a building in the university. A fire broke out at the College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Association (CASAA) Food Center in June, and another at the Alumni Center, also known as Fonacier Hall.

However, with the latest incident causing losses of this magnitude, many in the community hope this will be the last. – Rappler.com