Theatrum Notes
by Renan Pineda '80
MEB 1983-84
Cornerstone-laying was done under his term
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First of all, the original design for the Beta Theatrum was a beautifully drawn "hyperbolic paraboloid" shaped structure which got all of us excited.

The picture you show is actually the second design also by Brod Roni after the complexity of the original was realized. Of course, we later found out that this second design was no less complex after all when us resident CE brods at the time tried to actually design the folded plate roof!

Brod Roni then came up with a third design which kept the stage but replaced the roof with a tent or parachute style canopy with a quarter twist (sort of like a seashell if viewed from above) supported on a single post located on the center of the lagoon water, between the stage and the audience area. In the end, although the stage was quickly completed, the canopy structure never materialized. And this is how it was when I last saw the Theatrum at the poetry reading event during Lenard's term.

Another knowledgeable person about this project would be Vic Ahorro as he was with me every step of the way and possibly Gerry Lipat who was our Brother Reporter in '83.
 

Theatrum Notes

by Lenard Berba '81

MEB 1984-85
Inauguration and poetry reading were held underhis term

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I just saw the FB email. Having read Renan's recollection also jogged mine. Quite frankly - it was a long time ago - and BE days all seem a blur at this point.

The only additional point or trivia I may add was - after the design was finalized and plans laid out during Renan's term - (ground breaking and time capsule laying all happened during Renan's term) - the actual mobilization for the construction probably happened late during Renan's term or early summer. I forget exactly when.

I remember - when I took over as MEB - one of our first tasks- and commitment of the resident brods - all in the spirit of the Beta Way - we all agreed that somehow the residents would physically contribute (blood, sweat, and hangover tears) to the construction efforts.

So, during the summer - up until August or September - the brods dug the original pit where the foundation would be laid, we also created pathways from existing pedestrian walkways leading to the lagoon area. In the pictures I posted of the 1984-1985 term - you will see pictures of SW 83-84 Celine Reyes-Mendoza helping out during the summer. It took the brods much longer to dig that hole - than for DMCI to build the whole structure as we see it today. Hahaha!

We held the Poetry Reading of Prof. Ilio's poems in December 1984. The brods again got involved in repairing the dirt pathways leading to the theatrum and clearing the grass and area where the audience would be sitting across the lagoon. Even SW 84-85 Felichi Pangilinan-Buizon helped the brods create pathways and dig canals to redirect rain water away from the audience area.