History always associate important events to a certain building, piece of eating utensil, or personal effects as hallmarks of our struggle for national independence. Sometimes, these historical pieces would appear in our money, postage stamps or even advertisements which often create confusion to some. Talking about instances of recall when somebody will say, “ah, that jar in a 1000 peso bill?’ and the whole discussion ends there. However, not all edifices worthy of remembrance are considered national heritage.
I am not writing here to recall about historical buildings or artifacts rather to give an ode to Red Gate, a historical place for me here in Cebu City and to some who called it a home away from home. It’s a pre-world war II building owned by Ret. Col. Manuel F. Segura, a USAFFE veteran.
Life in Red Gate during my fresh person years has been quite a feat for me. Imagine living together with other girls with diverse backgrounds and personalities trying to establish a peaceful-coexistence amidst the differences. It was not a paradise but a place of reality where joy and pain meet in formidable circumstances. Lady boarders and few men as well came and left this boardinghouse. Some would leave indelible prints because of what they did while others would silently erase their marks in the creaking walls adorned with pictures of our dear (or not) boardinghouse. Red Gate also stands witness to love stories who are either sweet, bitter or both. Tales that would pass on from mouth to mouth or even from generation to generation depending on the person involved. We could only offer opinion of approval, sympathy or plain indifference as we try to put our lives in perspective.
At this point, our dear old boardinghouse is facing extinction. My favorite Red Gate will no longer be called as such because of the flux of economic progress. All of us are going to leave this memorable and historical place next year and continue with our life. The sad part is leaving but I guess this is the whole point of change. A sad change at that.
There are things which are beyond our control and what we could do is pick up and hold on to the happy memories. Red Gate has been my training ground with life’s realities as I learned to adjust and be the person that I am today. Somehow I would miss the national anthem wake-up call every first Saturday of the month as the veterans would hold their monthly meetings in the parking lot. They have been a constant fixture in our existence in Red Gate. I maybe nostalgic right now but I know for a fact that there will be no other Red Gate. A house known for its blazing red gate which has become a label among the various boarding houses near UP-Cebu.
In the years to come, the memoranda posted in every door of the boardinghouse calling our attention of the recent increase in water, electricity and bed space payments will be bygones. These love notes signal us that something is up like we did not turn off the lights during sleeping time or boyfriends of the boarders have entered off-limits area like the study hall and other stuff which we do not follow.
The Christmas lights are already lighted, the notice of vacating the boardinghouse has been posted, and Red Gate is now closed for business. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Col. Segura and Madam Connie for taking care of us.
Just like the historical buildings, Red Gate will be gone and left forgotten by its inhabitants though some would remember from time to time. It will be just a figment of our past that will become a rubble in the complex society of twenty-first century. Adios Red Gate!
