Just implemented the BusinessWorld Student Forum at the Pontifical and Royal University of the Philippines last Monday, September 26, at the Thomas Aquinas Research Center auditorium. It was a big success, having been graced by four of the big names in Philippines media who are Thomasians as well (will post a more detailed blog entry on the event next week).
It was already raining hard last Monday due to tropical storm Pedring so my team was not able to tour around the campus and they just saw the big U-S-T letters from afar, on board our van. Below is my photo that was taken during one of my visits there to meet with the Office of Public Affairs for the student forum.
While browsing through Facebook today, I found this disturbing photo of the same U-S-T letters submerged in flood water because of Pedring. Even as a student back in college, I knew that the university was prone to flooding but did not expect the waters to reach so high, almost making the "U" disappear from view. Comparing from the photo above, the water level is approximately the same height as I am at 5'5".
Arriving exactly one year after Ondoy devastated the country, Pedring caused quite a stir as it flooded Roxas Boulevard, Quirino and Buendia (areas around where I live), submerging the US Embassy and Sofitel Philippine Plaza in deep flood waters. Provincial areas were also affected and death toll climbed to 19 (according to ABS-CBN online as of 2:04 pm today) while 35 people are still missing. Reports say that Pedring is leaving the Philippine area of responsibility but that another tropical storm, Quiel, is arriving within 24 hours. I hope it won't do as much damage as Pedring so that people and local government from badly affected areas can fox whatever they need to fix and recover what they can of their belongings.
Because Thomasians have great faith in God, we still see the beauty behind every unfortunate event. Just like this photo above entitled "Swamped Tranquility" showing UST's Plaza Benavidez and the Main Building during the flood.
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