FEU Alumni gathering and heritage award

FEU Campus Ground Last Saturday was the Far Eastern University Annual Alumni Christmas Get-Together at the FEU grounds. I’m not really kee...

FEU Campus Ground

Last Saturday was the Far Eastern University Annual Alumni Christmas Get-Together at the FEU grounds. I’m not really keen on going on these events but since this is the 2nd time I got invited by a friend of mine, I decided to check it out. I also invited some FEU alumnis who I work with and see what was happening that day. And to add to that, it’s my chance to go around on a nostalgic walk along the campus and see for myself how my good ol’ university got a UNESCO Heritage Conservation Award.

Vicente Manansala’s Sculptures

I actually arrived late here at about noon. Lunch though arrived late, they said their transpo broke down somewhere. Anyways at that time I was able to chat with some familiar faces while waiting for my colleagues. And seeing old teachers, especially my wacky photography teacher there at the gathering was really amusing. My friend B, also showed his work room at the Media Center.

National Artist Botong Francisco’s Paintings inside the Chapel

After lunch we first went to IAS (Institute of Arts and Science) where I was hoping I could get some old copies of the Transitions book. Transitions is an anthology of in-campus winning literary works both in prose and poetry. This contest is held annually and I happen to won 2 years in a row in a 3rd and Honorable Mention award in Poetry category during mid college, but never managed to get hold of a copy of my published works. But I did get the prize money though. Hehe. Anyways, the English department office was closed at that time though, so i didn’t get a copy. My friend J, texted her English professor in case there are still copies available, we’ll just be informed

Art Deco Stairs at the side of the Administration building

We went back to the Campus Grounds as B started to tour us around, narrating how the University received its awards. Starting from the middle of the university where we can find National Artist Vicente Manansala‘s Sculptures. Manansala is popularly known as a painter so its a treat to see his very rare sculptured works here.
At the nearby chapel we could also find more works from another National Artist Botong Francisco. His colorful Murals adorn the chapel walls.

Administration building Lobby

And foremost reason why FEU got an award? It has the largest ensemble of Art Deco architecture that survives in Manila today. You’ll just have to look at the stairs outside the buildings and see for yourself. They’re pure artwork! The main brain behind this artistic genius is Architect Pablo Antonio.

Administration building new hallway at the upper ground

Inside the Administration Building, you’ll get to see a lot more of these styles. From the lobby’s geometric columns incorporating the FEU colors of Green and Gold (which incedentally worked for the interiors), Friezes at the walls by Italian Sculpture Monti, stairways and geometrical windows and holes. Mixing with the old are the new buildings and additional structures erected. And to make sure to follow the old styles with a touch of modern, the design was handed down by Architect Pablo Antonio Jr.

FEU New buildings housing IARFA and East Asia

And before the end of the day, we visited one of the most influential professor I had at the new FEU-EA technology hall building. Good thing he was there and we had a pleasant talk on how things are there and what is happening to his dear old students. Oh yeah the Dean there also gave us a brief tour of the new IARFA (Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts). The students there right now are so lucky they have new facilites and technology to enjoy and use.

FEU UNESCO Heritage Award