FEU campus wins Unesco award

http://news.inq7.net/lifestyle/index.php?index=2&story_id=50606
   
Sept 19, 2005
By Augusto Villalon   

THE UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) included the restored Far Eastern University campus in Manila among the recipients of the prestigious Unesco 2005 Asia Pacific Cultural Heritage Awards.

Previous Philippine winners were the Gota de Leche Building in Sampaloc, Manila, (2003) and the Nielsen Tower, now Filipinas Heritage Library in Makati (1999).

Ivan ManDy, a professional streetwalker who organizes heritage walks in central Manila, tells the FEU story:

"The Far Eastern University, located in Manila's chaotic and overcrowded University Belt, is the proverbial rose in a sea of thorns.

"Years of neglect... led to the [campus] falling into hard times, hardly a fit place to inspire the minds of our country's future [leaders]. But then the FEU administration decided... to roll up its sleeves and do something.

"In one fell swoop, [the campus] morphed from an uninviting, graffiti-infested, makeshift patchwork of classrooms, food-areas and dingy business stalls to [restore itself to] the gleaming Art Deco complex worthy of educating the best minds of the country.

"This is the FEU campus today, a touch of architectural class in a city that seems to have forgotten how beautiful she once was.

"That the university... is in the midst of one of the most high-density and polluted districts of the city did not deter FEU from battling urban blight head on.

"But what particularly makes the FEU campus noteworthy is that it proved to many how old buildings do not have to mean derelict and unfashionable. In fact they [the restored buildings] are hip and cool..."

"Buildings in the FEU campus were constructed between 1930-1950; they had been mostly designed by National Artist Pablo Antonio. Felipe Mendoza designed the other campus structures, notably the chapel.

"All of campus structures were restored to their original appearance. All new buildings were designed in a contemporary style compatible with the old. Without resorting to architectural mimicry of the heritage architecture, the new blended perfectly with the old.

Restoration
"Lourdes Reyes Montinola, chair of FEU, led the restoration project. Pablo Antonio Jr. did the architectural works and conservation on work originally done by his father. Conservation consultant was Augusto Villal¢n.

"Unknown and unappreciated to many Manile?os, the campus boasts of the largest collection of 1930s Art Deco period buildings that survive in Manila, or even in the country.

"If you are lucky enough to get (or sneak) in, as I did in 2001 when I joined a walking tour of the campus, you will find even more surprises.

"A well-proportioned quadrangle [designed by pioneer landscape architect Dolly Q. Pèrez] flanked by lush greens is a breather from the jeepney fumes outside."

Mature Philippine hardwood trees planted in the late 1930s by FEU founder Dr. Nicanor Reyes himself are not only a living link to the university's illustrious past but also valuable oxygen regenerators much needed in polluted downtown Manila.

Unknown to outsiders (and possibly to students and alumni), the university art collection is outstanding. Paintings by National Artist Carlos Francisco line the university chapel walls. Murals in the Art Deco style [by Saulog and Manansala] encourage the university youth to empower themselves to build a Filipino nation.

Other significant works of campus art are a collection of outdoor bronze sculptures by Saprid in the quadrangle and wood bas reliefs by the noted Italian sculptor Monti. Paintings by National Artist Fernando Amorsolo hang in the Administration Building.

The FEU Auditorium, the pre-Cultural Center focus of all cultural activities in Manila, has not only been restored to its original grandeur, it has been expanded and updated with the latest in theater equipment. The vastly improved auditorium once again is the venue of Manila's important cultural events.

Significant
Unesco cites the project "...in the context of its immediate neighborhood, the project has had a significant effect on raising historic awareness in the community. The project maintained a commendable balance between preserving original building design and use while accommodating the university's modern needs."

FEU's restoration caused an upgrading on its surrounding neighborhood. Inspired by the new look of the campus, its neighbors started a revitalization program, first volunteering to repaint their facades, then improving the sidewalks in front of their properties.

Next they formed into a neighborhood building owners association that asked the City of Manila to participate in the revitalization program by repaving the sidewalks, improving street lighting, and providing better security. Inspired (or maybe shamed) by the initiative taken by private property owners, the city government agreed.

The FEU-managed Nicanor Reyes (formerly Morayta) Street revitalization project is the first public-private cooperation in the Philippines for urban regeneration that is based on conservation, an example that citizens can make the government respond to their needs rather than simply wait for government handouts.

FEU is one of the few Philippine universities that squarely face the future with feet anchored on a long tradition of excellence. In FEU's case, the excellence is illustrated in the university's landmark architecture, which has renewed Tamaraw pride among the studentry and alumni.

Feedback is welcome at afvillalon@hotmail.com.

Comments

[april]

i have been a student of FEU for almost 3 yrs but it was only now that i became interested of FEU's collection of art decos because of our Humanities class... i think that every FEU stdnt should be exposed in what FEU has to be proud of... a big thanks to our HUmanities class

[Renerey]

i am a graduate of feu civil eng'g batched '81.i came back to FEU after one of the earthquake damaged the Science bldg and we were the civil works subcontractor and we reduce the bldg i think by 3 floors.i still remember the big trees on our quadrangle where we use to read,study,chat w/ friends or simply spend time till our next subject.i am now working as a consultant here in Qatar with a German firm and when i go for my vacation i wanted to go back and see again my beloved school and i am very proud to be a product of FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY.

[cutieFUL girL]

FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY is one of best university here in the Philippines....high standard in terms of their facilities and equipment and also the quality of education compared to other university... FEU helps the student to mold and achieve their dreams.... And I'm proud to be a TAMARAW....

[John Paul]

It is no denying that FEU stands as among the outstanding universities in the country today. I'm proudest to have embraced her loving arms.