Being home away from home.

Perhaps this blog could serve as a backtrack of what has transpired so far in my life. Not that it's interesting but it might be good. I'll try to provide useful links as well in each post.

The sculpture set above may be found at the main entrance of the Shanghai Art Museum (上海美术馆). It basically depicts the current state of China -- moving forward but still grounded to the time of Mao. Only in China would you see bystanders who are dressed in coat and tie, but squatting while waiting.

Despite these interesting cultural differences, I still feel home away from home. Shanghai seems to be my second home. As mentioned in my previous post, I just love the dynamism and the international aspect of Shanghai. Further, I need not expound of the fantastic architecture around the city -- a number of which, reflect a Jesuit (耶稣会) hand before the Cultural Revolution. For instance, all around Xujiahui (徐家汇), one is able to find multiple structures erected by the Jesuits. Constructed in the 19th-century, the most magnificent of the structures is the St. Ignatius Cathedral or now known as the Xujiahui Cathedral (徐家汇天主教教堂). Beside the cathedral is the Bishop's Residence. It must be noted that Bishop Aloysius Jin (金魯賢) is actually a Jesuit.




The cathedral's interior actually reminds me of San Sebastian Church in the Legarda/Mendiola area in Manila. However, what I found amazing was the integration of the flat panel displays on the posts of the cathedral. Indeed, the Jesuits, the Church, has never faltered to use the best in order to spread the Word.

Next to the Bishop's residence is the Shanghai Library Bibliotheca Zi-Ka-Wei (上海图书馆徐家汇藏书), formerly known as the Jesuit Library. Just imagine the amount of information that may be found in a library such as this.




Right behind the Cathedral is Xuhui High School (徐汇中学). Formerly known as Guangqi High School (光启高中), it bears the same name as the former official and current Chinese name of Xavier School (光啓學校 -- Kuang Chi School). Why, then, Kuang Ch'i?

Xu Guangqi (徐光启), a scholar and the minister of rites during the Ming Dynasty was the primary architect of Christianity in China. Together with his close friend Italian Jesuit missionary Matteo Ricci, they propagated the faith while dwelling on science and engineering. Being a Shanghainese, Guangqi is honored here in Shanghai and finds his home at Xujiahui. There's even a Guangqi Park along Nandan Lu right outside Exit 1 of the Xujiahui Subway Station. (Photo Album)

It feels great to be part of this family!