As I passed through the busy atmosphere of the covered courts, I witnessed so many things going on simultaneously everywhere I looked. I saw different physical education classes such as basketball and volleyball going on in the covered courts. I heard the echoes of the basketballs bouncing around and the powerful spikes on the volleyballs. I felt the heat as the tennis players of the school's varsity team exchanged forehands and backhands against each other on the tennis court, each player giving his best form as they hit the tennis ball. At other corners, I heard girls giggling loudly as they share their funny stories and boys conversing with each other non-stop by the cafeteria. By the time I got to the gate past the cafeteria, the noise slowly became muffled. Then did i realize that I just entered another part of the Ateneo de Manila University campus. I noticed that it was a part of the school no one would wander about. The area was so quiet. Cars passed by once in a while and not a lot of people were walking around. As I continued to walk, I could hear the crunchy sound of dried leaves as I stepped on them, the soothing sound of the breeze through the trees, then beyond the numerous trees, I saw an old building. I continued on and stood by the entrance of the old building. I read the words, "Manila Observatory".
The impression I had from outside of the observatory made me think there was nothing much to look into inside. I was not able to see clusters of people walking around the area. The view from outside made me also think that it was an abandoned building, so much for judging the book by its cover. The facade of the building is not as appealing compared with the other buildings in the Ateneo campus. The paint on some parts of the wall is beginning to wear off. The white color of the wall is becoming gray, cracks were prevalent and the structure's test against earthquakes, storms, and time was surely evident.
By the time I got in, the interiors of the observatory could not be simpler; the woodworks, the furniture, and the atmosphere. The tranquil mood that gave me a relaxed feeling from the outside extended until the inside. As I stepped forward, I saw the information desk with a lady behind it entertaining callers on the phone while typing on the computer. It was amazing to see how she did so well in multi-tasking! I love the silence that this place offers. Most of the time, all I heard were the sound of my own rubber shoes squeaking as I walked on the marble flooring and the sound of the keyboard as the lady typed. As I sat down on the sofa at the lobby area, I noticed a wind chime hanging by a door opening to a wide green field covered with green grass and trees. I could hear the sweet melody the chimes made as the powerful winds came rushing through that very door. It comforted me. It made me forget about problems. I could stay there for the rest of the afternoon.
As I went further into the lobby, I saw a large glass case where a miniature view of the Dingalan Watershed was displayed. Beside it was a big block of wood with a chart explaining the plot of rainfall, solar activity and tree rings from 1905 to 1960. Furthermore into the observatory, posters were displayed explaining the missions and goals of the Manila Observatory. They also showed a list of partner institutions both domestic and international. Beside the posters were colorful close-up photos of flowers, fruits, and different sceneries. Plants in vases were also placed in corners to help bring the nature inside the building.
According to Andy Guitierrez, the project assistant of the Climate Change Center or CLIMA, they offer tours around the Manila Observatory depending on what the visiting group would want to learn about. Visitors are encouraged to write letters beforehand to inform them what kind of lectures and activities they would want to have during their visit. Basically, they offer lectures about the weather and the different weather instruments they use to gather information with. Different people are assigned to demonstrate how to use those instruments and what they are mainly used for. The Manila Observatory also used to have star gazing for their visitors, but according to Mr. Guitierrez, they do not offer it anymore. Father Victor Badillo used to run the star gazing activity and since he got sick and moved to the Jesuit Upper Atmosphere Division, the operations on star gazing stopped. Mr. Guitierrez also explained that the Manila Observatory used to be purely about weather and after a while, ventured into typhoon warnings and earthquake investigations. They continued to grow and were able to develop a seismology section and later started astronomical studies. Mr. Guitierrez made it clear that the Manila Observatory is not commercialized, which explains the quietness and absence of visitors in the place. The observatory is there mainly for scientific research and other educational purposes like field trips and seminars.
As I ventured into the different floors of the observatory, I saw doors lined up in the hallway. It was very seldom that I saw people come out of those doors. For me to get an interview, I tried to wait for about 10 seconds for someone to come out, but no one came out. I have never seen anything so still. It scared me a bit, since I was also alone, so I continued to walk on. When I reached the third floor, I was able to see the library and archives of the Manila Observatory where one will find scientific and historical resources of the place and other topics as well.
The Manila Observatory offers more than what people may think. I definitely learned a lesson not to judge a book by its cover with all the things I have seen. I misjudged the place with the thought that it was boring. I hope you will not make the same mistake. All you need to do is enter, explore, and experience for yourself what the Manila Observatory is all about.
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