Random Thoughts
THE NIGHT WHEN SISON AUDITORIUM WAS NOT SO GRAND. There were three things I noticed when I attended an event last Thursday at the majestic Sison Auditorium, one of Pangasinan’s pride.
In all my news coverage since this edifice was rehabilitated to its grand form under the Espino administration, I always felt cold, not because of some horror stories, the building being old, but because of its very good air conditioning system.
So when I entered its hall to attend the Pangasinan State University’s 1stGawad Parangal sa mga Natatanging Mag-aaral, I expected the usual ambience. But oh, oh, I was dismayed. It was hot and PSU’s faculty and students as well as its guests led by Senator Teofisto Guingona III and former Comelec Commissioner and Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca, who were there, had to use fans.
The honorees, faculty and many guests were either in their Filipiniana gown or Barong Tagalog attire. So you could imagine how uncomfortable they must have been.
There was a blower (electric fan) providing a bit of cooling and few others conditioning units running but not enough to make everyone comfortable. The usual big speakers of the sound system below the stage (where newsmen normally position their tape recorders to record the guests’ speeches) were not also functioning.
Could it be that since the governor was not around, although he was listed as one of the special guests to speak during the program, the maintenance staff did not feel like doing their jobs properly like they used to? By the way, he was ably represented by Dr. Elmina Francisco who explained that the late invitation prevented her boss to personally grace the event.
Some naughty guests wondered if the presence of Abono partylist Congressman Conrad Estrella and Engr. Rosendo So plus former Pangasinan fifth district Mark Cojuangco was another reason for the “not-so-cold ambience” in the auditorium.
Next observation. When I went to the restroom there was no tissue paper in sight! This was unlike the touted support services in the auditorium I had seen over the years. And when I put my bag down near the washbasin, to my horror I found out too late that the top was wet! Sayang ang bag, ambasa-basay gana gana manaya.
Back to my seat, a seatmate whispered to me that a certain ‘Madam’ ordered a staff to close the two exit doors at the back of the building, preventing some guests to go out momentarily during intermission numbers to get some cool fresh air. What’s amazing was the reason given: —the exit doors are for the governor’s exclusive use only kuno. Ay manaya? So the poor guests had to walk to the entrance door again in compliance to ‘Madam’s order’. Tuwa kasi ya or the policy varies nu siyopa ray bisita? Just wondering. –Tita Roces
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