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Thursday, December 18, 2003
Hermogeno: Towering inferno
By Lorna C. Hermogeno
THIS was how my brother aptly described the pillar of smoke billowing from the University of Luzon last Monday. At around 4 p.m., I received a text message from him saying, "Nasusunog ang University of Luzon."
I said in return, "Alam ko. Andito ako ngayon sa Sun.Star at kitang-kita namin dito ang makapal na usok."
It was my first time to witness such a huge fire. Of course, I see it on TV and in the movies but it was my first live encounter with fire.
Later that day, on my way home, I heard on radio that they were praying the rosary. I couldn't help but feel like I was being transported back in time.
It was a little like during the 1990 powerful tremor that hit Northern Luzon, particularly Dagupan City.
All of a sudden, the surroundings were enveloped in silence. Many were shocked, unable to say a word with such a gargantuan fire ravaging and whipping the entire university that previously stood as a frontrunner in education in the whole of Northern Luzon.
My father, who was an alumnus of the university, couldn't help but feel sorry for the many wasted efforts and sacrifices of the founder of the school should the entire academy be turned into ashes.
Like my father, my eldest sister, who presently works as Assistant Manager in one of California's top housing corporations, is a graduate of B.S. Commerce from what was known before as Luzon Colleges. For sure, she would be greatly surprised should the news reach her end in no time.
I feel sorry for my cousin, too, who is now on his second year taking up Hotel and Restaurant Management in UL. I heard that the fire started from their department.
Now, why do I see a similarity between the fire that ravaged UL and the earthquake that wrought unimaginable havoc and a great magnitude of destruction to this city way back in 1990?
It's about the realization that once the forces of nature lash at our defenseless being, we cannot do anything about it. You may say the fire could have been a man-made cataclysm but the fact remains once these unfortunate things happen, we can only sit down and pray to God the Almighty that never again would fire of any degree or magnitude happen to us at any point in our lives.
That trip back home, while listening to the disc jockey of an FM station mumble a prayer while leading the rosary, was the most eye-opening and breathing experience I've ever had in years.
(December 18, 2003 issue)
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