(OCT.27)—A health and fitness center (HFC) for use not only of dormers but also the UP Diliman (UPD) community will be constructed at the Molave Residence Hall.
A groundbreaking ceremony held on Oct. 2 marked the start of construction of the said facility which will house a basketball court alternately serving as volleyball, badminton and table tennis facility.
The memorandum of agreement (MOA), signed by UPD through Chancellor Michael L. Tan and Epsilon Chi Fraternity, Inc. through its Radian Governor, Eugene G. Ong, during the ceremony provides that the fraternity will donate P10 million for the HFC construction as its legacy project to the university in celebration of their 50th founding anniversary in 2014.
The university, on the other hand, shall “make available an area of approximately 1,457 sq.m. for the building.”
Dr. Shirley V. Guevarra, Office of Student Housing officer-in-charge, said Epsilon Chi already pledged to donate for the HFC construction during the balik UPDorm project launch in April, “The project started with a P5 million initial offer, increased to P8 million and now stands at P10 million.”
The MOA further stipulates that Epsilon Chi “shall be exclusively responsible for obtaining the permits and licenses necessary for the actual execution and construction of the project and for the payment of any and all taxes and fees that either or both the national government and/or Quezon City government may impose on the design, execution and construction.”
UP, on the other hand, will shoulder the site development cost and its maintenance.
The MOA also specified that the “University may charge reasonable fees for the use thereof; provided, that a sum equivalent to sixty percent (60%) of all fees and rent/lease that may be collected shall be reserved and used exclusively and solely for the maintenance and repair of the center.
For the building design, Campus Architect Enrico B. Tabafunda suggested that the facility should reflect the UP culture and a UPD architecture graduate should do the plan. The fraternity suggested Arch. Shamcey Supsup-Lee, UP College of Architecture alumna and 3rd runner-up in the Miss Universe 2011 pageant, agreed to do the architectural design for free.
The construction of the HFC is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2016.
Guests at the ceremony included Dr. Neil Martial R. Santillan, vice chancellor for student affairs; Engr. Roberto C. Ronquillo, Epsilon Chi project manager; Atty. Ramon M. Maronilla, UP Alumni Association president; Engr. Manuel H. Torres, Epsilon Chi Foundation, Inc. chairman; Engr. Claro M. Ferrol Jr., chair of the Epsilon Chi 50th Anniversary Celebration; Engr. Arnel M. Cruz, Shamcey Supsup-Lee, Lloyd Lee and Atty. Arturo Q. Tan.
A time capsule containing memorabilia including a copy of the building design was buried in the construction site. The ritual was led by Santillan and Engr. Renato R. Bello.
The Filipiniana Dance Group provided the intermission number. —Haidee C. Pineda, images by Leonardo A. Reyes