My Dear Old Silliman...

Silliman University (August 28,1901) as known to everybody in the city as the Campus by the sea.
 The First American Private University in the Philippines.
 The First school outside Manila that was granted the University status.
A National Landmark by the National Historical Institute.

This was taken during my 2010 Pinning & Oathtaking ceremony inside the Silliman University Church.

     

August is fast approaching and all I could think of is the upcoming Founder's Day celebration of my dear old Silliman which is annually celebrated on the 27th-30th of August. Merely, just by reminiscing on the past I could still smell the breeze of the sea, I could still feel how an acacia leaf fall unto my hands, I could still hear the whispers of students passing by. 

I could also still picture out some students attending to classes wearing pajamas (from dormitories) which I find very amusing because they got up too late. haha! Also the comfort of attending classes with just a pair of flip-flops from all sorts of brands (Havaianas, Ipanema, Dupe, Banana peel), shirts paired with shorts or tattered pants would do fine if you're in a hurry. I miss riding a cab (motorcycle-cab) going to school. Participating on different school organizations & activities held at the famous Amphitheater. This post serves as my tribute to my University. My dear old Silliman.

From Wikipedia: 

The Institute had a modest beginning: Dr. and Mrs. Hibbard held classes in a rented house beside the sea until the Institute's first building, Silliman Hall, was completed in 1903. Recalling how the University started half a century later, Dr. Hibbard described:

“	There were fifteen boys that first morning. The equipment consisted of four desks about ten feet long, two tables and two chairs, a few McGuffey’s Readers, a few geographies, arithmetics and ninth-grade grammars. I was President; Mrs. Hibbard was the faculty."

Here are some of the landmarks of Silliman: (taken from wikipedia)

“

There were fifteen boys that first morning. The equipment consisted of four desks about ten feet long, two tables and two chairs, a few McGuffey’s Readers, a few geographies, arithmetics and ninth-grade grammars. I was President; Mrs. Hibbard was the faculty."

Silliman University Hall
The Silliman Hall, built in 1902-1903, is the oldest standing American structure in the Philippines.                  Its architecture is reminiscent of the Stick Style or Victorian type of architecture that characterize American buildings in the 19th century. Some of the materials used to build it were salvaged from an old theater in New York.
(Wikipedia.org)

Silliman University Amphitheater
The Amphitheater was built in 1921, commonly used by students as a meeting ground/place and for school organizations. (wikipedia.org)

Western side: Gate of Knowledge
This symbolizes the main entrance to Silliman Campus.

Silliman University Church
Construction for the church began in 1941, but due to interruptions brought by World War II, it was completed only in 1949. The church's origins can be traced to the coming of the American Presbyterian missionaries to the Philippine Islands in 1899, who established the Dumaguete Mission Station in January of 1901. (Wikipedia.org)

The Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium
The auditorium (built 1973-75) is named after the wife of Henry Luce III, elder son of Henry Luce who is the founder and editor-in-chief of Time magazine. Its construction was mainly funded by the Henry Luce Foundation. (Wikipedia.org)

Silliman University Main Library:  The Robert B. and Metta J. Silliman Library 
The Silliman Library remains as one of the biggest libraries in the Philippines. Consists of a 3 story-high division from the journals/articles/newspapers down to the filipiniana section & cyber library which is located at the ground floor. In 2008, the Silliman University Library System was given the "Outstanding Library Award" by the Philippine Association of Academic and Research Librarians (PAARL) for its growing collection and ongoing computerization program. (Wikipedia.org)

The Hibbard Hall
This was built in 1932 as the Office of the Registrars.Currently, the second floor has already been utilized as lecture rooms and half remained as a recreation area for students (table tennis area, board games & television is available). 

The Guy Hall
Guy Hall was built in 1918 that served as one of the buildings  being occupied by the Japanese troops during the war.  Currently, this is where the College of Performing Arts and the College of Mass Communication is located. (wikipedia.org)

Happy Birthday, Silliman!

P.S. I don't own any of these photographs posted above. All credits goes to wikipedia.org.

: ) DaWn