Palma Hall: The Heart of the University of the Philippines - Diliman by Tricia Racela

Hundreds of students of the University of the Philippines walk in the halls and up the historic steps of Palma Hall, the same place where Senator Benigno Aquino delivered his last speech in 1972 before his assassination.  The Palma Hall has always been one of the most prominent symbols of the University of the Philippines (UP).  Since its establishment, it has seen the events and turning points that have defined the history of UP.  On top of this, it is the place where one can perceive what it means to be an Iskolar ng Bayan.

            Palma Hall, situated in Roxas Avenue in the UP Diliman Campus, is one of the prime structures of the University.  It is one of the places to see and take note of if you ever plan to visit the campus.  However, call it “Palma Hall” and UP students will immediately know that you’re either a visitor or a freshman.  It is actually more commonly known as AS because it used to house the College of Arts and Sciences.  According to Jill Raz, a current Communications Major in the University of the Philippines, “obvious na freshie ka [it is obvious that you’re a freshie] if you refer to this building as Palma Hall.”  But if you do visit, the first things you will notice upon seeing Palma are its two large white pillars that rise to the ceiling of the building.  Above these pillars are the words “Palma Hall” inscribed in bold letters.  From the outside, you can see the balconies of the second and third floor due to the building’s open structure.  The famous AS Steps are also found in front of the building serving as its entrance.  Walk up these steps and you are bound to be greeted by the bust of the national hero of the Philippines, Jose Rizal, sculpted by Guillermo Tolentino, sitting on top of the staircase.  The Steps lead to the open lobby of Palma Hall where students are found socializing, killing time, or cramming for their exams in little groups.  In the lobby is where you will also find national artist Vincent Manansala’s large and exquisite mural portraying elements of the arts and sciences.  The sides of AS extend to two wings: the east wing and the west wing.  According to Arkitekturang Filipino Online, an online database of Filipino architecture and the online community of Filipino architects, the purpose of the open structure design of the building is to let in as much natural light as possible and allow better ventilation.  It has the exact same design as its twin building, Melchor Hall located across the Academic Oval. 

            Both Palma and Melchor Hall were designed by Cesar Concio, a Filipino architect who was also responsible for the design of the university’s original campus in Manila.  Palma Hall was one of the first buildings to be erected in Diliman after the university’s transfer from Manila for a much larger venue.  It was completed in 1951 and named after Rafael Palma, the first Filipino president of the University of the Philippines and the current one at the time.  As of now, it is the home of the College of Arts and Social Sciences.  It continues to be one of the most frequented places in the University of the Philippines by both students and visitors due to its rich history and numerous significant events that occurred there.  Ever since its construction, the AS Steps is known to be the prime venue for events and gatherings.  There atop the AS Steps, Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino delivered his final speech in 1972 before he was assassinated.  It was also the site where most of the student body and UP faculty, along with the president of the university, congregated to contest the militarization of the university in 1971 for the Diliman Commune.  In addition to that, it is also the location for student demonstrations, miting de advances, and activities held by the different student organizations of UP.  Hence, Arkitekturang Filipino states that “it is the place most students commonly associate academic freedom and freedom of expression with.”

             The historic protest led by the student council of the university is not the only event Palma Hall has witnessed.  It is also a famous venue for traditional occasions of the university.  It provides the best view to watch the university’s most celebrated events such as the Lantern Parade and the Oblation Run.  Palma Hall continues to be popular not only because of these major events but also because it remains to be the most bustling building in the campus up to date.   It has been housing the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP), composed of eight different departments, since 1983, the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theatre, and the UP Anthropology Museum that opened in 1967.  During our visit, it wasn’t difficult for me to notice the diversity of the crowd that filled the halls of AS.  Throngs of students walk in the lobby minding their own businesses on their way to their destinations.  Some looked deflated of energy caused by the stress of being a university student while some looked pleased to be reunited with their own cliques.  Based on Tinig ng Plaridel, the official publication of the UP College of Mass Communications, AS is where general education courses are being taught thus generating the highest student traffic in the university. Moreover, according to iskWiki!, a collaborative online platform for instruction, research and the UP life, “Palma Hall is the largest building classroom complex” with more than 23,000 square meters of area.  Most, if not all, freshmen will have a class in AS which means that all students have, at one point, taken at least one class in Palma making it a part of almost every Isko or Iska’s university life.

To cater to the growing population of the student body since its establishment, further developments to Palma Hall have been accomplished.  For instance, an annex was constructed in 1985.  The Palma Hall Annex is now the home to the Department of Psychology and the Third World Studies Center.  According to its own website, Third World Studies Center is a research institute “devoted to tackling and further analyzing current issues happening in the country and in the world”.  It gained its certification as a research centre in 1999.  I believe that its construction further shows the efforts of the university to be involved and proactive regarding national issues. Though despite its upgrades and expansion, the significance of AS to the university remains because everyone in the UP community seems to be very much aware of the history of Palma Hall and the remarkable events that it had been a part of.

The Palma Hall is considered the heart of the University of the Philippines-Diliman by many.  Leonoever Racela, a UP Architecture Graduate in 1987, believes that this is “where you can see the core of being an Iskolar ng Bayan.” It continues to be the most popular “tambayan” or hangout place for most student organizations and students passing time until their next class. Hence, the mass of students sitting on the floor of the lobby and the AS Steps seems to be an everyday sight in the Palma Hall.   It is where you will find most of the student organizations, fraternities, sororities and student activist groups that represent the varying opinions and identities of the university’s student body.  The focus on Filipino nationalism of the university is also very apparent in Palma Hall from the Filipino architect that designed it, to the statue of Jose Rizal found in the entrance, to a national artist’s enormous work of art in the lobby and finally, to a new research centre made purposely to analyze national issues.  Palma Hall truly exudes the sense of freedom and nationalism that the University of the Philippines is widely known for.  It is where you will get a feel of who the Iskos and Iskas really are and where you will see what the University of the Philippines is.   

References:

Bernabe, Kirstin Jello and Nikki Careen Palacios.  “On Palma Hall.” Tinig ng Plaridel: The Official Publication of the UP College of Mass Communication. 4 Aug 2013 http://www.tinigngplaridel.net/news/2010/06/11/on-palma-hall/

Camua, Kristina, Karina Gonzales, and Sharmaine Gonzales.  “Palma Hall.”  iskWiki! 2 Aug 2013  http://iskwiki.upd.edu.ph/index.php/Palma_Hall

 “Palma Hall, University of the Philippines.” Arkitektura. 2 Aug 2013. <http://arkitektura.ph/buildings/palma-hall-university-of-the-philippines-diliman>

Raz, Jill. Personal Interview.  10 Jul 2013.

Third World Studies Center. 2 Aug 2013. <http://twsc.upd.edu.ph/>