In celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Manila Observatory, four senior Jesuits currently taking residence at the JM Lucas Infirmary visited the Transitions exhibit at the Solar Building last August 14. These were Fr. Florencio Cuerquis, Fr. Rafael Borromeo, and Fr. Renato Puentevella, and Fr. Simplicio Sunpayco.
Fr. Sunpayco and Fr. Cuerquis | Photo by Mariel Templanza
Fr. Puentevella and Fr. Borromeo watching the Discoveries AVP | Photo by Mariel Templanza
Fr. Cuerquis used to hold seat as the principal of Ateneo de Zamboanga Grade School. Fr. Borromeo is a former director of student affairs of Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro. Fr. Puentevella is a former director-principal of Ateneo de Iloilo – Santa Maria Catholic School. Fr. Sunpayco is regarded by some to be the “Father of the Basic Ecclesiastical Communities in the Philippines” and used to be active as community builder.
Fr. Puentevella at the part of the tour inside the solar building | Photo by Mariel Templanza
Fr. Cuerquis at the part of the tour inside the solar building | Photo by Mariel Templanza
In the duration of their visit, the senior Fathers occasionally pointed to familiar scenes and faces. In particular, they shared how they knew Fr. Miguel Selga from when the Observatory was still located in Manila. Fr. Selga was the director of the institution before the Second World War broke out.
They also mentioned knowing Fr. Sergio Su, who at 92 years old is still heading the Solid Earth Dynamics program of the Manila Observatory.
It was the first time that the visitors were able to enter the buildings of the institution. They animatedly followed the exhibit in the Solar Building, even climbing up two flights of stairs to finish the tour.
Transitions ended its run this September to give way for Frontiers, the third and last part of the exhibitions, which will be launched in the first week of October.