Future of Filipino Architecture

Future of Filipino ArchitectureAdvancing towards a Meritorious Legacy

This is the summary of the target of our UAP National President, Ar. Ana S. Mangalino-Ling, fuap, apec architect, for the fiscal year 2009-2010. Some of the committees under the office of the National President are the Task Force R.A. 9266, Task Force Standards on Professional Practice, and the Green Architecture Movement.

Task Force R.A. 9266 (Headed by IPP Medeliano T. Roldan, Jr.)This committee strengthen our drive for the implementation of R.A. 9266. There were some executed steps towards this goal. First, a support was given to the implementation of R.A. 9266 ordinances at Cebu City. Second, letters were sent to local government units (LGU) to fully implement the R.A. 9266 with its IRR. Lastly, paying courtesy call on several LGU officials.

The Filipino Architect: Advancing towards a Meritorious LegacyM Membership VitalityE Environment-Friendly PracticesR Research and Development AdvocacyI Information Technology CampaignT Training of Future UAP LeadersO Opportunities for Professional ImprovementR R.A. 9266 ImplementationI International and National LinkagesO Organizational EfficiencyU UAP is IAPOAS Service to the CommunityTask Force Standards on Professional Practice (Headed by IPP Edric Marco C. Florentino)

A committee that regularly discuss the proposed amendments on the Standards of Professional Practice.The Green Architecture Movement (Super headed by the Green Architecture Movement with its Chairman Amado P. De Jesus, Jr.)

Its an advocacy that strives towards the environment-friendly practice to be followed by the architects. The advocacy had been able to share the doctrine of green architecture through its members and they will pass it to their chapter members.

UAP Executive Committee F.Y. 2009-2010

National President -Ana S. Mangalino-Ling, fuap, apec architectNational Executive Vice President Michael T. Ang, fuap, apec architectVice President for Area A Editha P. de Vera, uapVice President for Area B Domingo Ll. Tablizo, Jr., fuapVice President for Area C Guillermo H. Hisancha, fuapVice President for Area D Jemma Sarol-Semana, uapSecretary-General Gil C. Evasco, uapNational Treasurer Amado E. Tandoc, Jr., uapNational Auditor Ernesto D. Tianco, uapImmediate Past National President Medeliano T. Roldan Jr., fuapChancellor, College of Fellows Noralita B. Cruz-Dumlao, fuap

Area A Council

Area A Vice President Editha P. De VeraDistrict Director, A1a Reymundo I. FlorentinoDistrict Director, A1b Dominador P. MacatuggalDistrict Director, A2a German F. Ramirez, Jr.District Director, A2b Melencio D. ManaloDistrict Director, A3 Richard M. GarciaDistrict Director,A4 Leonardo M. AntonioDistrict Director, A5 Gerardo P. Yatco, Jr.Deputy Area A VP Angelito Soriano

Area B Council

Area B Vice President Domingo Ll. Tablizo, Jr., fuap

District Director, B1 Bernardo R. Laurena

District Director, B2 Ana C. Valencia

District Director, B3 Wayne Matthew J. Jaro

District Director, B4 Warren P. Quiambao

District Director, B5 Jose B. Malazarte

Area C Council

Area C Vice President Guillermo H. Hisancha, fuapDistrict Director, C1 Alan G. ChoachuyDistrict Director, C2 Jose Glenn G. De GuzmanDistrict Director, C3 Paul L. Conde, Jr.District Director, C4 Ramon Francisco M. Teruel

Area D Council

Area D Vice President Jemma Sarol-SemaaDistrict Director, D1 William C. YongDistrict Director, D2 Jose Luisito C. MillevoDistrict Director, D3 Richard J. TanDistrict Director, D4 Trinidad G. Saligumba

UAP Standing Commissions

Commission on Internal Affairs (Headed by -- Executive Director Pamela N. Amador, fuap) -Deals with membership concerns.Commission on Professional Practice -Oversees the compliance with the Standards of Professional Practice, code of ethical conduct and the various laws governing the practice of architectureCommission on Education -Tasked to monitor the education of architecture.Commission on Governmental and External Affairs -Oversees public affairs and NGO-LGU concernsProfessional Development Council -Creates programs for the continuing professional education of practicing architect

Center for Filipino Architecture -Deals with organizations advocacy on architectural conservation and promotion of cultural heritage.Committee on Green Architecture -Prepares a green rating system together with Green Building Initiative (GBI) and it will also publish the Green Mark catalogue list of environment friendly and sustainable building materials.Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)

Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is an international forum composed of twenty-one member economies that have undertaken to act collectively to promote economic and technical cooperation within the Asia-Pacific region. Its purpose is to sustain the growth and development of the region for the common good of its peoples. APEC builds on WTO General Agreement on Trade and Services (GATS) principles for the progressive liberalisation of trade in services through the reduction of regulatory restrictions, leading to reciprocal agreements between member economies where appropriate.

A Steering Committee was formed by the APEC economies participating in the project to develop a mechanism by which current restrictions on the professional recognition of architects from other economies would be reduced or removed. Through the positive commitment of those involved, and fruitful negotiation in the intervening period, a set of principles and an operational framework for the creation of an APEC Architect Register has been agreed by all participants. Registration as an APEC Architect provides evidence of the achievement of professional standards that may satisfy some, or all, of the requirements for the recognition of architects by host APEC economies.

The aim of the APEC Architect framework is to establish a mechanism to facilitate the mobility of architects for the provision of architectural services throughout the APEC region by reducing current barriers to the export of professional services. Its central function is to maintain a Register of APEC Architects who have fulfilled common elements of the education and training requirements for professional recognition in participating economies and are currently registered/licensed as architects, and who have a proven record of professional experience as registered practitioners.

Modern Filipino Architecture

Today, architects like Leandro V. Locsin and Bobby Manosa are the leading figures in architecture. They stress the understanding of ones culture and history and its roots in design. I am happy for their success and thankful for the doors they have opened for us Filipinos in architecture.Leandro V. Locsin, born in the Philippines, has built 5 churches, over 30 office buildings, over 70 residences, and a major landmark of the Philippines in the Cultural Center of the Philippines. In his early career, he worked for the biggest firm in the Philippines, the Ayala and Co. In 1959, Locsin came to the United States to tour U.S. architecture. The visit was marked by meetings with Eero Saarinen and Paul Rudolf.

Upon his return, Locsin had found the inspiration for Filipino Architecture in the modern age. He saw the current architecture being erected in post-war Philippines to be a copy of other forms from different contexts with little thought behind them. Locsin felt that the lessons of the past and the building traditions were best suited to the context of the Philippines. The use of native materials, the roof emphasized as the dominant form, wide overhanging eaves, massive supports, interior lattices and trellises, ornamental detail contasted with simple forms, and spacious interiors.Locsin, who died in November 1994, saw his work as a link between the past and the future of Filipino architecture. The Filipino architect Francisco "Bobby" Manosa agrees. With projects in Saudi Arabia, Europe, and the United States, Bobby Manosa stresses awareness of one's history and the traditions of the past. Also an awareness of the psyche of one's people, and the different levels of one's society to guide the architect.

Bobby Manosa and Leandro V. Locsin have contributed so much to the understanding and spirit of modern Filipino architecture.Modern Philippine architecture is a melting pot of what is uniquely Filipino with a generous dose of Malay, Hindu, Arab, Chinese, Spanish and American influence. The Spaniards, with their baroque style, taught us how to build forts, churches and schools, while the American mission style architecture gave us the blueprints for our government structures as well as buildings of commerce.

Nevertheless, despite the strong foreign influences, Philippine architecture has somehow managed to retain part of its identity that's distinctly Filipino. The nipa hut, known locally as bahay kubo, is a typical traditional house found all over the Philippine lowlands and has probably inspired today's modern urban houses, which usually have two floors and are made using hollow blocks, bricks, wood, glass and iron roof.

Using concrete hollow blocks is still the most affordable method used by Philippine constructors. In the hands of a capable and experienced team like ours, you're assured of only the best quality of work. The box system, on the other hand, is a fast, durable and cost effective method of construction using steel formworks which are placed side by side or on top of the others to form the core of walls, columns and partitions of any structure.

This US patented system is ideal for both small and large projects because we simply increase the quantity of the formwork panels, which always deliver fully-constructed structures, including smooth wall surfaces and precise doors and windows, which are ready for finishing.

THE architects and designers of Francisco Manosa & Partners live what they preach, especially in applying the Filipino aesthetics. ''We try to convince anyone who approaches us to patronize what's ours. Our weather calls for tropical houses and the use of indigenous materials. You can't go wrong with this philosophy. There's nowhere else we can build these types of homes,'' says Maria Cecilia ''Chelo'' Hofilena, head of the Manosa's interior design department. Her abode in Paranaque is a perfect example of modern Filipino architecture. She'd rather have an airy house, and fill spaces with rattan furniture and plants than import a chandelier and have crystals flowing in the wind. Hofilena says the chandelier's foreign origin becomes more pronounced.

However, she's not eschewing the idea of chandeliers and Italian marble, if there's a reason such as decorating a thematic restaurant or home or designing for a play. ''I don't see the sense of having a French look in the tropics,''' says Hofilena. She'd rather go to France to appreciate it in its context.In turn, while traveling, she not only gets to understand the way other people live but she also learns to appreciate what is Filipino. Asked what's her definition of our indigenous architecture, Hofilena says it's a house that's airy and attached to the earth with familiar materials such as reeds and palms. The bahaykubo exemplifies this. But it is often looked down as a flimsy hut for plebeians unsuitable to city living.

Misconception

But this is because people's minds have been conditioned by the story of the three little pigs and the big bad wolf. The antagonist blew away the houses of twigs and woods. Thus, they were conceived as frail. The wolf failed when the third pig built a stone house. Hofilena believes that a house doesn't have to be completely solid or all-cement. ''You can reinforce a wooden structure to give it strength. But it shouldn't deprive you to enjoy ventilation by having windows.'''

She says design evolves, and there are ways to stylize the bahay kubo concept and adapt it to the milieu. For instance, the traditional bahay kubo has bamboo slats on the floor. In a modern house, these slats can be translated into planks. This is what she had done to her house. ''I can't afford molave and narra. I'd go for other types of wood which are within my reach such as the tanguile and bamboo. They stand out in how they are used,'' says Hofile?a. ''As these materials are upgraded or used in an unfamiliar way, people will give them a second look.''

Natural Colours

The colors are natural since the materials are from the earth. Adding contrast to the color scheme is the landscape. ''Because the colors are from nature, the house looks restful. There's no jarring color,'' says Hofilena. There are no curtains. Like in most ancestral homes, moldings hold up the ceiling. When Hofilena renovated her home in Paranaque, she took note of what most Filipino homes need today: cross-ventilation so that the house isn't like an oven in summer, and multipurpose rooms. ''Some homeowners give us a long list of rooms and end up wondering why their houses are so huge. You end up building more rooms than what's actually needed. Many activities can be cramped in one room. Space is expensive. I'd rather use the space for a garden that I can look at for days instead of building a room where I rarely enter,'' says Hofilena. The living room is like a gazebo, without any doors and windows. The flooring is made of stone. The eaves of the roof extend far out to shield the area. When the typhoon signal hits 3, that's the only time the furniture are brought indoors. 'Some homeowners give us a long list of rooms and end up wondering why their houses are so huge. You end up building more rooms than what's actually needed. Many activities can be cramped in one room. Space is expensive. I'd rather use the space for a garden that I can look at for days instead of building a room where I rarely enter,'' says Hofile?a. The living room is like a gazebo, without any doors and windows. The flooring is made of stone. The eaves of the roof extend far out to shield the area. When the typhoon signal hits 3, that's the only time the furniture are brought indoors. Visual surprise

Because the living room is on the side of the house, one can enjoy the garden. Since the houses are not close to each other, Hofilena blocks them off with greenery. The pond is not only soothing to the senses, but is also a visual surprise in the metropolis. In the second floor, one can still enjoy the greenery, as the azotea cum family room overlooks the pond. To block off the sight of the garage, a mirror was built on a wall of the multipurpose room to reflect the image of the garden. Hofilena developed a clever way of usin the space in her daughter's room which is a long hall with partitions. The designer built a movable wall which is adjusted when there's a visitor at home. When there are no guests, she pushes the back wall so the daughter can enjoy more space.

The ceiling is decorated with reflectorized stars so it looks like an evening sky. In the dining room, doors can be drawn away and hidden so guests can enjoy more greenery. Unlike other homes which brandish their artworks and furniture, Hofile?a keeps everything simple. Although her items are not expensive, they're stylish. Edwardo Yrezabal designed the rattan furniture which blends with the stone and wood architecture. She favors personal things to status symbols and collectibles, particularly family photos Books and handicrafts also decorate her house. ''There's so much beauty in something simple,'' says Hofilena.

Examples of Modern Philippine Architecture28