Philippine E-Journals

The Saint La Salle Hall: Interviews with Four Experts on the Occasion of the Centenary of the Cornerstone Laying of the Said Heritage Structure of the De La Salle University, Manila

Joshua Mariz B. Felicilda | Feorillo Petronilo A. Demeterio III

 

Abstract:

The Saint La Salle Hall is the oldest ang most famous building of De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines. This was designed by Tomas Mapua, its cornerstone was laid in 1920, and it was inaugurated in 1924. The authors of this interview article embarked on this project as their way of honoring the centenary of the cornerstone laying of the said heritage structure, as well as the coming centenary of its inauguration. Four experts were interviewed by the authors in order to document the history, value, and status and direction of the conservation and restoration of the said heritage structure. First is Dr. Jose Victor Jimenez, an assistant professor of history at the De La Salle University, who has a number of researches and publications on the institutional history of De La Salle University. Second is Ms. Josemari Calleja, the current Associate Vice Chancellor for Campus Development of De La Salle University, and who is the one in charge of the ongoing conservation and restoration of the said hall. Third is Dr. Eric Zerrudo, the director of the Center for Conservation of Cultural Property and Environment in the Tropics of the Graduate School of the University of Santo Tomas, who is an expert on the conservation and restoration of heritage structures in the country, and an alumnus of De La Salle University. Fourth is Br. Manuel Pajarillo, FSC, who is a former member of the Board of Trustees of De La Salle University, the Vice Chancellor for Research of De La Salle Lipa, and a Lasallian Brother.