Pandoraspace

Lost in Maryhurst

Many things were lost in the fire that burned Maryhurst (a Baguio seminary) but not my memories of the place.

If I remember correctly, there was a sprawling wooden building in Maryhurst that housed the offices, living quarters and classrooms of the seminarians. As a child, I would run after Brother Armand’s two dogs across the halls of the building and for some reason, I remember that the wooden floors were warm. Brother Armand was the person who was then running Maryhurst.

My favorite spot in Maryhurst was the garden. Brother Armand was something of a green thumb and would grow all sorts of exotic plants and unusual flowers in the garden. There were also monkeys and a pond with tadpoles. The garden was maze. Even if I would always panic when I found myself lost in the maze, I could not help but go to that garden each time I was there. Maybe it was because I would always find my way out of the maze.

The Maryhurst seminarians (who are most likely priests now) will remember me. I was the little girl who made you miss your lunch one Sunday. I was seven and it was the day I discovered the science laboratory at Maryhurst. I was so fascinated by the snakes, mice and other strange creatures in the lab that I did not realize no one could have lunch because Brother Armand told everyone to go out looking for me. To this day, my parents have never made me forget that incident. Strangely, it is one of my better memories of Maryhurst.