As early as 2008, while the Alumni Hostel was being put up, visiting alumni and friends from abroad and from various parts of the country sounded off their need to have a place where they can eat Filipino delicacies and where they can interact with each other even for a cup of coffee.
After a thorough discussion of the felt needs of the alumni and friends, and the students, faculty, staff and visitors, the Board of Directors of the CLSU Association, Inc. led by its President and Board Chairman, Dr. Romeo S. Cabanilla and Dr. Eliseo L. Ruiz, President of the CLSU Alumni Foundation, Inc. favorably considered the putting up of a Food Court and Coffee Shop.
Because of limited space, a Resolution of the CLSUAAI Board of Directors requesting the University President to allow expansion of the lot allocated for use at the Alumni Center Compound was submitted in November 2008. The Perspective and Site Development Plan of the proposed Food Court and Coffee Shop prepared by Arch. Eduardo C. Tuliao was enclosed. The vacant lot being requested at the back of the Ladies Dorm #2 and beside the cottage of Engr. Reynaldo Abulencia was granted. It occupies an area of 754 square meters.
The design and estimate cost of the stalls as well as the patio were prepared and presented to the Board for discussion, critiquing and modification. With the untimely demise of Arch. Tuliao in July 2010, Dr. Eliseo L. Ruiz and Dr. Cabanilla together with some of the board members helped in the modification of the design.
In February 2010, deliberation as regards the Food Court and General Merchandise was made during the Board Meeting. President Cabanilla created a 7-man Committee to discuss about its construction with Dr. Eliseo L. Ruiz as Chair, Dr. Romeo T. Padilla, Co-Chair and as Members: Dr. Romeo L. Saplaco, Dr. Onofre F. Ringor, Dr. Zenaida M. Serna, Dr. Teotimo M. Aganon and Engr. Genaro M. Tolentino. Scheme on how to raise funds for its construction was discussed during the Board Meetings.
The construction started in July 2010. The funds used in the construction of the Food Court and General Merchandise amounted to an estimated cost of P1.5. Funds and material resources were sourced out from the University, City Mayor’s Office of the Science City of Muñoz and from stallholders, as well as individual and group donations. It is interesting to note that officials and staff from the University Physical Plant and Site Development Office provided their technical expertise.
To date, the Food Court and General Merchandise is not yet fully completed. More funds are still needed for the construction of rest rooms, shade-umbrella style for the center of the Food Court, installation of horizontal gutter of stalls and improved lighting facilities, among others.