Manila Belt Line Railway Rehab

The rail rehabilitation of the Southrail started last Tuesday, March 4, 2008. The rehabilitation started near the historic Paco Railroad Station. The Manila belt line beside the Paco Railroad Station will celebrate its 100 years anniversary this coming March 25, 2008.


Finally, the contractors drained the stagnant water and provided new ballasts for the rails. The work above was done in just four days.


Hanjin workers took a break for this photo. The work is currently being supervised by Ricardo Baricante Jr.


RIHSPI member Bill Sullivan enjoying the afternoon with the workers.

University of the Philippines Carillon Restored

After 19 years of silence, the bells of Carillon started to ring again. The UP Carillon was formally turned over to the University of the Philippines Administration last December 18, 2007 in a simple outdoor ceremony marking the occasion. UP Naming Mahal was the inaugural music played by the carillonneur followed by a Christmas music medley.


The UP Carillon restoration project started in 2006 and is currently being spearheaded by the University of the Philippines Alumni Association. Thirty six new bells from Dutch company Petit and Fritsen were installed by the restoration team as part of the University of the Philippines Centennial celebration.

The UP Carillon was donated to the University in 1952 with National Artist for Architecture Juan Nakpil designing the tower. The original Carillon had 48 bells and were forged by Van Bergen Co. The original Carillon had four octaves while the newly restored UP Carillon has only three octaves.