It's been a while since I've visited Br. Andrew Gonzalez Hall. It's the second youngest building of De La Salle University where I earned by bachelor's degree. The building is as old as I am being a Lasallian. So around 7 years old. It is also the tallest academic building in the Philippines.
Earlier, we've had our testimonial dinner in the said hall, and also the awarding ceremonies for the new Lasallian Electronics Engineers. Those who passed the licensure examination by the Professional Regulation Commision last October 2012 and April 2013 were invited and went all dressed-up for the event. But it's so special, of course, for the students who started their Lasallian journey on 2006 — the so-called "106" (based from our ID number). I really went into complete nostalgia.
We were the first batch to use the Andrew building. Fresh paints on classrooms still smelled, elevators were just new to service, chairs and armrests were literally unused, it was as if these 106 froshies were put into a laboratory test as guinea pigs. Experimental transitions on a new learning technique, a new building, a new curriculum — we were indeed subjected to some kind of tests which both the students and the University were encountering for the first time. We were freshmen then, and while still adjusting, we also needed to cope quickly with the changes and transitions the University was doing. Taft life for us was tough, literally.
I vividly remembered the time I arrived at school 5 minutes before my first period started. Then at Andrew lobby, I was surprised with four long lines to the elevator — students were hurrying up for their classes, as if waiting for the transit to arrive. But boy, I didn't wanna be late, being a frosh and a "good" student, so I took the stairs. If I'd wait for my turn on the elevator, I'd be awfully late. But my class was on 12th floor! When I reached that floor, I was really panting. It was an exhausting workout! I entered the room, while yet on-time, staring blankly ahead. I sat down, and I was literally seeing spots. My classmate asked me if I was ok. I said I was fine. But no, I was not — because while still recovering my normal breathing, a seatwork was given to the class. That was the moment I cursed Andrew elevators long enough until my higher years in La Salle. And oh, I've gotta say: that happened more than once, until I learned not to care about tardiness anymore.
The elevators and the washrooms were also memorable, with reports that some students were doing nasty things in and out of those facilities. Geez. Andrew building became like a den to a new breed of high school students. Already taking their respective degrees, yet still being playful. Who could blame us anyway? We were isolated on that building, and we're still fresh out of high school.
Br. Andrew Gonzalez Hall will always be a part of me. It may sound cheesy, but come on. Whenever we reminisce our humble beginnings, we tend to get corny at times. And to all my 106 batchmates, cheers! We surely were a part of this Lasallian milestone seven years ago. We made and we are history.
And maybe, just maybe, it was the perfect venue to culminate my life as an engineering student. Now that I am an engineer, I am contemplating of taking a master's degree not really related to the technicalities of communications — but on the arts side this time around. If ever I'd be accepted for the masters classes this coming September, the testimonial dinner earlier will be my closure upon jumping ships.
Photo taken from Google