Paranormal Phenomena and Possible Problems

Unhumble Beginnings

There was once a well-known theater actor named Marissa. She was the famed star of the productions held in the University of the Philippines. However, time passes and she gets outmatched by fresher faces. Overcome by sadness and envy for these newcomers, she decides to put on a final show. She showed up, onstage, with all the performance paraphernalia. However, this time, it was different. She dangled from a rope around her neck, and had no expression on her face; she killed herself for everyone to see. Despite her eternal repose, Marissa is very much alive. Some say that she shows up during performances, or felt during chorus rehearsals. Marissa is one of the many ghosts who haunt UPD. The university has very many old buildings with numerous stories, lots of secret areas and unknown niches. Not to mention the curious and very naughty students who bypass the warnings put up by officials to keep away from abandoned areas. Despite it being one of the most prestigious schools in the country, its security isn’t very well maintained. Over the hundred years that the school has existed there have been countless violent protests, horrible accidents, suicides, and even murders. All of the residents of UPD are very active, living, or dead.

The Last Ride

“Sometimes there is this UP-Ikot Jeep that is always more or less empty. It goes around but you have to get off at the corner of the University Oval near Katipunan. There was this guy who was very clueless about the jeep. He just got on the jeep and was about to go but a lot of people ushered and screamed for him to get off right away. He got off just before the jeep managed to pick up speed. The old man who was ushering him off told him that the jeep was going straight to hell.” These are one of the few stories that go around UPD. Although the true source of stories is more often than not unknown, there are still a select few who manage to have first hand experiences. “There was this one time my friend was coming down from the AS building when she heard a group of people laughing and making jokes. She thought it was some people from her organization so she shrugged it off until she reached the ground floor, where a guard approached her. He was worried because according to him, she was the only one left in the building. She swore she heard other people on the way down, but when they went back to check, nobody was there. It’s not as scary as the others when put on paper, but it sends chills down your spine when you know it happened for sure.”

A Dark Past, A Determined Position

A lot of people know of UP’s bloody history, from its historical events that lead to bloodshed from soldiers, to the dangers that lurk in the night such as robbers and gang fights.. Unfortunately, there have been some people who are able to take advantage of it. However, there are some people still vigilant about the safety of the university. “Bawal po kami maniwala sa mga multo. Kapag naniniwala ka sa mga ganyan, mananakawan ka.” (We aren’t allowed to believe in ghosts. If we believe in them, some people take advantage of that, and we get stolen from.) Mr. Aristotle Pancha, a security guard, has been stationed at Palma Hall for the last 7 years, and has remained vigilant about his position. “Sa mga panahon ngayon, alam natin lahat na mahirap makahanap ng trabaho. May mga taong katulad ko na nagsisikap dito, at may mga tao din na sinusubukan ang mga ‘madadaling’ trabaho katulad ng pagnanakaw.” (Nowadays, we know that it’s hard to find a job. There are people like me who work hard in our current jobs, and there are people who try to find an easy way out through jobs like stealing.) He believes that the building he guards does not have any ghosts to show, despite many anecdotes, such as Marissa in the Palma Hall Theater.

(The 1st floor and the famous AS steps, respectively)

(Retrieved from:http://iskwiki.upd.edu.ph/index.php/Palma_Hall#.Vk66CHYrLIU)

Arts and Sciences, or Aberrations and Spooks?

The famous Palma Hall (a.k.a. the AS Building) was finished in 1951 and housed one of the first colleges instituted in UP, namely the College of Arts and Sciences. It was named after Rafael Palma who merited the title of the “builder president” because of the amount of infrastructures put up during his term. The building was designed off the City Beautiful Movement that was on-going during that time. It features the AS Steps, where many historical events have taken place, such as Ninoy Aquino Sr.’s last speech before the initialization of Martial Law. It also pride in its Anthropology Museum which holds a vast display of archeological and ethnological finds by Professor H. Otley Beyer. Last but not the least, the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater or the Palma Hall Theater, which houses the UP Drama Club.

(The sign of the Guillermo Theater and the AS East Wing, first floor, respectively)

(Retrieved from:http://iskwik

i.upd.edu.ph/index.php/Palma_Hall#.Vk66CHYrLIU)

Practicality

Despite the age of the building, Palma Hall still stands proudly and untarnished by previous earthquakes. It was designed by Cesar Homero Rosales Concio who also designed its twin- the Melchor Hall. Because of the building’s sturdy design and profound structure, it has withstood more than 60 years of use with minimal wear. “Kahit medyo matagal na ang pagkatayo ng Palma Hall, medyo matibay pa rin siya. Magaling ‘yung arkitekto na gumawa, at maganda din ang pagkakagawa, kaya makakatayo pa ang gusali kahit may lindol.” (Even if Palma hall has been around for a while, it’s really quite sturdy. The architect was very precise with what he did, and it was very beautifully done. Because of this, it will stand even if an earthquake happens.) The building’s creative and sturdy design was one of the first constructed when UP Manila transferred to UP Diliman. The overall aesthetic was inspired from international designs and Filipino expression, with the ability to make use of natural light and have proper ventilation. As a landmark of the university, it is one of the buildings UPD is very proud of. The building itself has two wings where the east wing has four floors, but the west wing has three. It was made to let natural light be its method of illumination.

Clarity of Reasons

The College of Arts and Sciences has very many stories to tell. It ranges from its very many historical events, to the stories students tell each other. Palma Hall has gone through much. By the looks of it, it’s going to see so much more over the next few decades. Even though the facade of the building looks slightly degraded, it is one of the most used buildings in the university. Over the course of 6 decades, it required only facelifts and not a total renovation. You could even say that it holds the integrity of the university. It’s a very beautiful building, and it will continue to be a landmark for the well-known school.