Japan ODA 60th Anniversary

Standing Strong and Tall

Millen Sidney Paderes, Recto Memorial National High School

Classes are finally over. Stressed and tired, I pack my things in my bag. I felt happy as I hung my bag over my back. Whilst walking in the pathway, an upperclassman of mine bumped into me. With that, I slammed my head against an old, rusty post. I looked around after I hurt myself and saw that I was in front of the school's most expensive building.

This building I stopped at dates back to 1997. It was done even before the tragic fire incident of our school. It even outdates the horrid typhoon that destroyed the trees and other buildings. Yes, this has to be the JICA building.

I stared at the facade that was staring back at me. That same building was standing strong ever since I entered high school. I knew that was the JICA building in an instant because my mom used to do her classes there.

Seventeen years ago, JICA gifted our school a 3-room building and 20 computers.

That event became the turning point for our school's way of educating through modernization. Our school has been truly grateful ever since.

But when I asked my teacher, he told me that after the construction was done, students nor teachers were not allowed to have classes in the JICA building. Even seminars weren't allowed to be conducted even in just one room of that building. Why? Simply because the building cost millions of pesos. This was due to the shock and quake-proof structure of the building. The architects who designed it must really be wise to even dig a hole six feet under it to prevent the cracking of walls in case of an earthquake.

Sturdy, I thought.

But years later, people became finally accessible to that school building, as for the computers, too. Students now have a second home to take care of. Classes, seminars, as well as Homeroom PTA meetings are much easier to conduct now. And I must say, the shock and

quake-proof feature of the JICA building really helps in facing calamities. Even I take shelter there when sudden earthquakes occur.

Up until now, the JICA classrooms are standing strong and tall. It has helped many students have another home. Fascinating thoughts about it flooded my mind. It may look rusty and dusty, but 3 sections may not have the chance of having comfortable classes if it

wasn't built.

If it weren't for those rooms, I, myself, wouldn't be able to pass my Science class last year. I wouldn't have the chance to participate in the English Quiz Bee. I wouldn't be able to act as a character for a group play. All these little yet important chances would be gone from the palm of my hands if it weren't for the JICA building.

As for the donated computers, they really help out in making students' work much easier. Not only do those computers help students, teachers too. Computing grades and submitting requirements has been a breeze since they can do it inside the school now.

I may have mentioned the words old, rusty, and dusty many times here but that's just because those are the first things I noticed about the building. I just thought that it would be a shame if that building crushed into dust just because it wasn't took care of by the students who reside their classes there. A little facelift and clean-up may just help it keep its place for lots more generations to come.

As for my own way of maintaining it, a campaign would be a good idea. Reminding the students who use that building just how significant and important it is to the history of our school would motivate them to take care of it more. With a little renovation, it would look good as new.

Ten years from now, I hope I'd still get to see this building even after I have graduated. I'd want to see it the way I used to back when I was studying.

Just by gazing at that building, I have made up a whole story in my head. It just proves that the JICA building contributes a lot to our school's facilities, significance, and history.