UP community recalls memories as fire destroys Shopping Center

MANILA, Philippines — Several members of the UP community took to social media after news broke out that the Shopping Center at the Diliman campus caught fire on Thursday morning.

The fire, which started at around 7:15 a.m., reached the second alarm. The Bureau of Fire Protection declared fire out at around 9:29 a.m.

For the UP community, the "SC" is a go-to place for those seeking food, school supplies, printing, binding, photocopying other services catering to the needs of the community.

UP SC will always be that expanded sari-sari store catering to the various needs of the humans of UP Diliman, where the academic & the mundane intersect.

Our memories of SC are so intertwined w/ how we experienced UP it's almost unimaginable to envision campus life w/o it.

— florin hilbay (@fthilbay) March 8, 2018

Daming alaala sa UP SC - pagpapa-bind ng script, P40 lang while you wait; sarap na sarap sa tapsi ng Rodic's; pagpapa-Xerox ng thesis, mainit-init pa; pagkain ng pinakamurang F.I.C. raspberry flavor; pagbili ng Maroons shirt; pag-consign ng Tita Witty planners; maduming CR. Hay.

— Tonette, Tonette (@tonetjadaone) March 8, 2018

I’m feeling too many things because of the UP SC fire. Can’t process!! Send help.

— Riki Flores-Reyes (@rikiflo) March 8, 2018

Doc Nella Sarabia's optical shop in UP SC was one of the first stores to carry indie CDs in the early '00s. It isn't there anymore but the news of the fire is still saddening.

— Jason Caballa (@discosixsixsix) March 8, 2018

UP Shopping Center plays a big role to every Isko/Iska's life while in UP.

Need to print something as early as 7AM or as late as 10PM?

Need to buy lab materials you broke?

Need to photocopy something in a limited budget?

UP Shopping Center is there. Was there.

— Excuse Me on the 9th and Dinner on the 10th (@iaelers) March 8, 2018

The services of UP SC were not exclusive only for the UP community. I know several students from other colleges and universities had their theses binded in SC. Companies and organizations had their pubmats printed in SC.

— Excuse Me on the 9th and Dinner on the 10th (@iaelers) March 8, 2018

This is my only photo with my ex boyfriend/husband outside the UP Shopping Center. We met at the SC which we called “Dilimall” specifically Lizette’s , owned by Ilonggos and just beside Rodics Diner . Memories will always last. pic.twitter.com/LRduME0hv9

— Noemi L. Dado (@momblogger) March 8, 2018

For years, the Shopping Center played a huge role in the lives of everyone in the UP Community, including these two rescued kittens who called it home.

Beautification and new roads are nothing if our buildings are on a brink of yet another inferno. When will the admin learn? pic.twitter.com/XdvqaWqzte

— Yael Toribio (@rafaeltoribio) March 8, 2018

Wala pa ako masabi tungkol sa UP Shopping Center. Dami random memories, sweet and painful. After I submitted my UPIS application my first meal on campus ever was at
the Co-op.

— Myrene Academia (@Mapins) March 8, 2018

UP Shopping Center

Mikko Ringia pic.twitter.com/jRXJXfR3nc

— Dylan (@DylanTwain) March 8, 2018

RODICS
'D HOLY BOOK
PHOTOCOPYING MACHINES
TRANSFORMED WASHROOMS
ZAGU and ARKI VICKIE SHAKE
BULLETIN BOARDS
THAT JAPANESE RESTO
BARBER SHOPS
SMART PADALA STALLS
EVEN THAT WESTERN UNION STALL

IM NOT READY TO MISS THEM YET
Good bye UP Shopping Center. You served us well.

— The Diliman Files (@kwentongupd) March 8, 2018

Things won't be the same without the UP Shopping Center.

It was our one stop shop. Our constant.
You hungry? Tara SC.
Readings? Tara SC
Printing? Tara SC
Photox? Tara SC
Load? Tara SC
Binding? SC talaga
Sablay? SC pa rin

It's not just an old building. You will be missed

— Clarus Cortes (@TheRealCCortes) March 8, 2018

UP Shopping Center plays a big role to every Isko/Iska's life while in UP.

Need to print something as early as 7AM or as late as 10PM?

Need to buy lab materials you broke?

Need to photocopy something in a limited budget?

UP Shopping Center is there. Was there. 

— Excuse Me on the 9th and Dinner on the 10th (@iaelers) March 8, 2018

The trauma is real. When I heard the sirens close to our house, my heart raced as I relived the UP Faculty Center Fire. I lost 80% of my books there and most of my life’s work. UP Shopping Center is gone, guys.

— Eloi Hernandez (@badassprof) March 8, 2018

Pinahapyawan lang ni Noli de Castro ang UP Shopping Center dahil pa-xerox-an lang naman daw yun, na hindi naman daw yun yung Ayala Mall sa labas.

Pitumput-pitong puting putangina mo kang putangina mo ka.

— Jan Deo Mendoza (@deokovic) March 8, 2018

How can UP claim it’s one of Asia’s top universities when the old iconic buildings keep burning down? Shopping Center. Kainan ko noon. Patahi uniform sa CMT at PE.

— Teddy B. Baguilat (@TeddyBaguilatJr) March 8, 2018

UP Shopping Center is where you eat the best tapsilog in town while sitting next to a National Artist, as you wait for your thesis to be xeroxed (that's how we called it then, not "photocopied").

Thanks for the memories, SC. We look forward to see you back and up again soonest.

— AltAsecMargauxUson (@AsecMargauxUson) March 8, 2018

Paalam, UP Shopping Center. pic.twitter.com/CtNklRVHuK

—  Bernice Royale  (@benedictopinion) March 8, 2018

Meanwhile, stall owners and employees are set to meet with UP Diliman Chancellor Michael Tan after the incident. The UP Diliman University Student Council is also set to meet with Tan to discuss the safety of the university's facilities.

The UP Office of the Student is calling for donations for those who were affected by the fire. 

The OSR and KASAMA sa UP is calling for donations for those affected by the fire. Cash and food donations are highly encouraged.

For more details or inquires contact Psalm at 0906 772 0608.

Support the Shopping Center!
No to commercialization of UP! pic.twitter.com/EZWxadnYGb

— UP Student Regent (@uposr) March 8, 2018

— Patricia Lourdes Viray