Railway tunnel in Belgium named after Igorot

Manila, Philippines - A new railway tunnel in Belgium has been named after an Igorot almost 100 years after he had been made to appear like a diorama piece in a “Filipino community” showcased in an international exposition in Ghent in 1913.

The naming of the tunnel after Filipino Igorot Timicheg was made possible through a Ghent City Council resolution passed in 2007 honoring participants in the Ghent World’s Exhibition in 1913.

Philippine Ambassador to Belgium Enrique Manalo led the ribbon-cutting ceremony that formally opened the Timicheg tunnel at St. Pieter’s Train Station on May 5.

Ghent Mayor Daniel Termont attended the ceremony.

“It was commendable that the city of Ghent has not only chosen to celebrate the achievements relating to the 1913 Expo, but has been able to balance this by commemorating those who experienced difficulties to participate in this event,” Manalo said in his speech.

A press statement said Timicheg shares the honor of having a specific place named after him with prominent Belgian personalities of that time, such as architects Oscar de Voorde and Valentin Verwyck.

High-ranking officials of NMBS-Holding, VVM De Lijn and Infrabel Network, private sector partners of the Project Ghent St. Pieters, also attended the event.

The Timicheg tunnel is part of a long-term infrastructure development plan for the Ghent St. Pieters Train Station and its environs, which is expected to be completed by 2020.