Religion and Peace Studies building inaugurated

Silliman University inaugurated the two-storey Guillermo and Mercedes Magdamo Hall (GMMH) last August 25.

The building will house the Religion and Peace Studies department, and will be used for classes of some 3,000 senior high and college students this second semester, said Lily Apura, faculty member.

GMMH is located beside the building of the College of Business Administration, on the lot where the former Acacia Cottage stood.

“The university is very grateful to the generosity of Dr. Rolando Venturanza-Magdamo. I think it is because of the support of the alumni like him to the mission and vision of SU that we can continue nurturing especially the spiritual aspect of our education,” said VP for Development Jane Annette Belarmino during the inauguration.

The benefactors, Rolando Venturanza Magdamo and his wife Helga Magdamo, named the building after Rolando’s parents. Guillermo was head of the Biology department and Mercedes was among the pioneering faculty members in music who joined Silliman as voice and piano teacher. They served in the university until 1952 and were inducted as Heritage Builders of Silliman in 2009.

Dean of Divinity School, Dr. Jeaneth Faller, expressed her gratitude for the construction of the new building: “I’m very thankful because we’ve been waiting and wanting to have our own place. Now it’s here, beautiful and very strategic place.”