Last October 25, I had some business to attend to in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. After which, I decided to check out some properties in areas approaching the Laguna Lake.
I have determined that the rehabilitation of the PNR railway systems will impact heavily on my line of work. In one of my stops, I checked out what my contacts in PNR call the "flag-stop" in Barangay Labas. And lo and behold, it was a very beautiful and I’m certain, a historically significant infrastructure.
A family is squatting in this flag-stop. I really don’t mind that. What I’m worried about is that PNR will be constructing a new, modern and bigger station to replace this flag-stop. The question is: What will they do to this old flag-stop?
As a fan of history, I don’t think I can agree that this old flag-stop be demolished.
The South Rail section of the PNR opened in the 1930’s (I think). Can you imagine the number of illustrious historical personalities who could have set foot or, at least, passed by this structure? How many presidents, generals, soldiers (Japanese, Americans and Filipinos) during World War II set foot on this flag-stop?
I’m trying to set up an interview with the mayor of Sta. Rosa for my work. If she obliges, I will ask her about her city’s plan regarding this structure. I will suggest that it be "moved" and relocated somewhere else and, maybe, serve as some sort of a historical shrine or something.
I think, relocating it will not be that difficult. We see it done to much bigger structures on the Discovery Channel. Besides, the city doesn’t have to spend a single centavo for the effort. There are so many big-time real estate companies that have projects in Sta. Rosa and they have the resources and equipment to do the "move."
I am also calling on the others to take pictures of historical PNR landmarks especially in the North Rail section, which is much older than the Orange Lines.
Let’s try our best to have these heritages preserved.
By the way, I have also taken pictures of the PNR equipment depot (if that’s what it’s called) in Valenzuela City, just across the Tullahan River from Malabon where I live.
http://wikimapia.org/#lat=14.6784444…quipment-Depot
Thanks a lot
jun