The Old Library Walk

The Library Walk was one of my favorite places in the Ateneo.  As a freshman figuring out my place in college, the Lib Walk served as a meeting place during breaks, a tambayan where anyone could just hang out or simply pass by to say hello.  Even if I was just alone on the bench, I never really felt isolated as there were a lot of people coming and going, rushing and walking, laughing and talking, and even reflecting.  Sooner or later, friends would come and join me on the bench.  It was also a place where we would people watch or “stalk” a crush.  More importantly, the benches knew of our dreams and ambitions back then.

A few years back when I visited the campus, I was surprised and sad to find out that the Lib Walk was no longer there.  It seemed that nobody needed the Lib Walk anymore to go to the Old Rizal Library as almost everything was transferred to the New Rizal Library.  Having a sophomore daughter in the Ateneo now, I am happy to see that even without the Lib Walk, there are a lot more other places in campus for her and her friends to hangout in.

But then again, if the Lib Walk had whispered its last breath, it would have told us of glorious stories of angst, of trials and triumphs that these teens have undergone, to be where they are now, as men and women for others, years after coming down from the hill.

Mrs. Ferriols (front row, second to the left) with her friends during their Loyola Schools days.
 

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Mrs. Mary Jane G. Ferriols is an Ateneo alumna (BS Management, Class of 1990).