By Carla Adeline Via
An updated and improved wall aimed at inscribing more names of Outstanding Sillimanian Awardees (OSA) will be built near the century-old Silliman Hall in the next few months.
The project, donated by the Silliman University Alumni Association, Inc. (SAAI), will feature new design such as metal name plates between bricks, interactive rotating lightboxes, and hidden backlighting installation.
According to SAAI Executive Director RD Marie Delos Reyes, the current OSA Wall at the Villareal Hall has not been updated since 2006 due to lack of space.
“[It was] difficult to recognize the outstanding Sillimanians who have since received this distinction. By building a new OSA Wall, the association inspires current students and future leaders to carry forward the ideals of the university,” the association said.
They also detailed that the new concept symbolizes “strength, resilience, and the collective legacy of the Silliman community,” with each brick representing the contributions of students, mentors, and milestones.
Meanwhile, Delos Reyes said that former SAAI President Yasmin Alih introduced the “vision of a better dedicated space for the names of the awardees.”
The association then organized the OSA Wall design contest last March which was opened to alumni, students, faculty, and staff.
Three alumni of the SU College of Engineering and Design won the competition, which art concept will be used as the wall’s official design.
Wall designs
Architecture graduates Nhoelyn Girasol, Alyssa Joanna Peligro, and Andrei Juliana Versario shared the inspiration and concept behind their winning designs.
Girasol said that they reflected on what the university means to them in providing “a strong foundation, shaping values, character, and competence” for their design.
“That’s what inspired our concept of the wall: like a brick wall, resilient and enduring, Silliman’s legacy is built not overnight, but through the collective efforts of its students, mentors, and alumni,” she stated.
Moreover, Versario said they met with officers of SAAI to talk about certain design considerations, such as the capacity of the wall to accommodate names and adjustments to its overall span.
“We worked closely with the alumni association throughout the process. [They] shared a few comments and suggestions, primarily focused on refining the design,” she shared.
She added that they also considered the potential for future expansion by building an additional wall to accommodate more names.
To officially inaugurate the wall’s construction, a groundbreaking ceremony was held last Aug. 27 coinciding with the SU Founder’s Day celebrations.
The construction, maintenance, and funding for the project will be shouldered by the SAAI and is targeted to finish within the next 12 to 18 months.
ERRATUM: RD Marie Delos Reyes is the current Executive Director of the Silliman Alumni Association, Inc. (SAAI). While the SAAI organized the OSA Wall Design Contest, former President Yasmin Alih did not spearhead the event. The concept of building an updated OSA wall was first introduced by Alih to accommodate more names.
ERRATUM: RD Marie Delos Reyes is the current executive director of the Silliman Alumni Association, Inc. (SAAI).
While the SAAI organized the OSA Wall Design Contest, former President Yasmin Alih first presented the idea to the SAAI Board of Trustees.
The concept of building an updated wall was first introduced by Alih to accomodate more names.
