It was ViSCA when I left it in 1984. Then I heard it became LSU or Leyte State University. Then Just recently it became Visayas State University or VSU. But by whatever name it will be known, the institution will forever be etched in my memory as a beautiful place where I had a stint as a student, later as an instructor, then a young bride and a mother to two toddlers.
I was a little too late. The sun was already up and the moon could not cast its shadow with the sun starting to light up the whole scene.
I had this opportunity to visit it when with the change in administrator in our College, I was given a slot in a seminar for peer editing of researches for publication. It was not a seminar that would give me opportunity to tour Singapore or other countries, but just to nearby VSU, some 34 kilometers south of Ormoc. I welcomed it with gratitude because it was Visca and the place held a lot of memories for me.
I thought i would be going there incognito but right on the first day an old friend held out his hand for me and I wondered what he was doing there. Was he a participant of the seminar like me? Or was he the director of the Department that was housing us? So many questions that I shelved in my mind and masked with a smile of recognition, I was happy someone remembered me.At lunch on the first day he let me insert in to the queue, and then he introduced me two important personages of VSU.
When I looked at my program, I discovered he was one of our lecturers and facilitators of the seminar! It was nice meeting him again and as I was a little insecure with my writings ( I have not been doing technical writing for a long time) I refused to submit the output required on the first day, but when I met him on the second night he insisted I should. On the third day he told me, "Do not underestimate yourself, you are a good writer." Picture at left shows him with one of his "magic" tricks. He spiced up his lectures with sleight of hand tricks although he did not have to. They were interesting enough by themselves but the participants clamored for "more!"
And the best surprise of that day was when the facilitator of the day asked me to present the research paper I was working on as there was a problem whether I should be in the social science group or in the Bio-physical group. (My research was experimental).
As it turned out I was supposed to be in the second group but I insisted to stay where I was.
I know I would learn as much whether I would be moved to the other group or whether I stayed.
We toured the beach side of the campus on the second morning. VisCA is famous for its "gorgeous sunsets and beautiful dawns" but i forgot to take my camera.
On the third morning my colleague told me I should take a picture of the moon with its shadow over the Camotes sea. I have always been fascinated by the moon so I hurried to the beach in my pajamas to take a picture of the moon. She was right, the moon was hanging low over the waters, but it seemed
I was a little too late. The sun was already up and the moon could not cast its shadow with the sun starting to light up the whole scene.
We wondered farther into the man made
lagoon and the swimming pool, these structures were not yet in place in 1984.
Hey help! How do I delete this other picture? Multiply wont let me. Anyway, that is the closest to the moon that I can get with my digicam.
The cottages have changed and I especially love this cottage by the swimming pool.
Our curiousity took us to wondering whether these seats at the beach kiosks were really made of tree barks. We made a closer inspection and were convinced that they were made of cement.
I remember there was a swimming pool up in the mountain side which they call the upper campus now. The whole place was powered by the hydroelectric powerplant then. But with the whole of almost two thousand hectares being utilized now, the old powerplant could not have carried that load, especially as the University is up to date with the latest technology that need electricity for their operation. By the way here is the swimming pool in the lower campus.That is my friend from the main campus posing for my camera.
There was no time to go sight seeing so I could relive my memories here. I had planned to take a picture by the dormitory where I was once matron of , but there was no time for that. The whole seminar lasted five days and every minute of it was fully utilized.
I am not a good photographer but I found this site where you can get better photos of VisCA. and by the way, my friend told me you would not get to your destination if you tell the bus drivers that you are going to VSU. you have to say Visca and you will get there without any hassle.
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