A celebration of the profession of architecture, United Architects of the Philippines Student Auxiliary – UST Chapter convened the National Architecture Week 2018 in collaboration with various student organizations within the UST College of Architecture. An entire week filled with workshops and talks, November 26 to December 1 saw the Beato Angelico Building welcoming renowned architects and personalities who shared experience and expertise to ignite the abilities of the aspiring future architects.
As architects, we are responsible for planning a conducive environment that can adapt to the urbanization of our community. PRAXIS is a locally held competition encouraging architecture students to be socially aware of the country’s existing conditions. Presenting the situation of our community, students are tasked to envision an innovative design that is both functional and sustainable. The competition is categorized into two parts, the first category is to show the message through model-making and the second is through ideas or concepts. The top three winner for each category will receive monetary prizes, books from BluPrint, Tokens and will get the honor of being featured in the UST College of Architecture Official Magazine: Vision Magazine.
Kickstarting the National Architecture Week last November 26, Driven by Passion invited exemplary architecture students to share their experiences both in architecture and personal passions. The student speakers for this event include Nikko Arbilo, Ross Gallardo and Aramis Corullo speaking about their experience in architecture, Amiel Manalo for his experiences in travelling and love of vlogging, Denise Cruz on her calligraphy expertise, Alexa Libanan for her vocal and chorale experiences, Misha Bernardino on her online business and Drigs Zaldivar spoke about his passion for basketball. Driven by Passion was highly inspired by the Organization’s year-long theme, Igniting Abilities. Aspiring to showcase an individual’s strength and further empower Architecture students.
After the event, students are invited to participate in discovering their calligraphy skills through Strokes: Chinese Painting Workshop. In collaboration with Scarlet Architecture, the workshop nurtured students eager to let the ink flow from their brushes and create the art of ink. Strokes: Chinese painting workshop aims to teach the fundamentals of rendering that incorporates techniques from chinese traditions using a traditional brush called the “mopit and obak”. The session was taught by Dr. Ulysees Yu who specializes in mixed media arts; furthermore, the students were able to create paintings that emphasize the stroke styles through applying the techniques that was taught.
Tuesday’s event, F-Stop: Photography and Post-Processing Workshop was brought together with Arkitrato UST in collaboration with UAPSA-UST. Using Lightroom, the students were given a crash course to help them in their editing needs. Speaking in the event, Trisha Poserio and Kebin Chiu also taught the students the basics of photography–which included that typical iso-aperture-shutter speed combination. The speakers also shared their tricks on shooting portraits and architecture especially on framing the subject. “A good photographer follows rule to achieve nice shots, but a great photographer can bend the conventions to achieve photos that will stand out.” The participants learned about the bare minimum of photographer as a guide, but they were also told to explore beyond the convention because photography should be free. The F-Stop Workshop achieved its goals in sharing the knowledge of the art of photography.
On November 28, Architecture Network hosted Trivium: Unravelling the Urban Fabric. Trivium is a 3-part specialization lecture series, annually hosted by ARCHINET, in collaboration with UAPSA-UST. This year, with the theme being “Unraveling the Urban Fabric” the guest speakers were professionals with experience in personally molding the cityscape with their designs. Ar. Gelo Mañosa shared with the students of the College of Architecture his experience in showcasing Filipino Identity in a foreign country. His work in the Hermitage showed us that architecture has the power to radiate a Filipino feel, regardless of where you are. L. Arch Paulo Alcazaren showed that to properly build one must fully understand the psychology of the people who live here. Only then, can we begin to properly plan space according to the needs and uses of the people. While Ar. May Mariano taught ways to improve our cities for long-run improvement, sustainability and self-sufficiency. Be it building a miniature farm in our balcony or improving the skyline, we have the impact, and the power to improve the built environment.
Saturday’s Telos, a round table discussion on Urbanization culminated the events for NAW 2018. The discussions on urbanization invited four renowned speakers across the country that were able to share their experiences and insights on the community’s urbanization. The speakers of the said event include Mr. Chester Arcilla, Ar. Joy Dawis – Asuncion, Ar. Peter Paredes Enp. and Ar. Ralph Sotoridona Enp. Various personalities from different architecture schools had participated in the discussion to raise their voices on different issues regarding architecture. Some of these issues are what we see but not given proper attention to. The event brought together a group of specialized people to ponder over existing problems in our community. Mr. Chester Arcilla, a renowned sociologist from the University of the Philippines talked about issues regarding the process of urban planning specifically about Gentrification in the urban context. Ar. Joy Dawis – Asuncion talked about the role of an architect or planner in shaping the world of today. Her talk was aimed to encourage and challenge the students to design for the people, geared towards the development of local architecture and to contribute in the industry as future Filipino designers through incorporation of the nation’s culture in built spaces. Ar. Ralph Sotoridona Enp. and Ar. Peter Paredes Enp. discussed the nature, definition and objectives of urbanization, its application and importance in the Philippine setting. He explained opportunities and challenges in improving the well-being of societies through the urban planning process. Afterwards, UAPSA-UST hosted a feast celebrating the National Architecture Week alongside the announcement of winners for PRAXIS Category A.
The Grand Winners of the competition are James Dancel, Kish Faune, John Christopher Rambongga and Maria Eleonor Mabini who designed “Heart of Urbanization” which showcases two hands with nails and plants around it. The concept of their model was that urban open spaces are the heart of every civilization. These spaces will not cease to exist because they are essential in living. Following are the 1st Runner Ups Jion Lainez, Jose Miguel Daplas, Jan Kristopher Esguerra and Wyanie Nicole San Juan who created “Biorhythm” which designs a city on a rock that connects to the natural and undisturbed land from before. The design concept was about revitalizing existing structures back to the natural form of Earth. Lastly, the 2nd Runner Ups for PRAXIS Category A are Kimberly Tan and John Patrick Lee who came up with “Mulat” which shows a ramp leading to a crystal form above. Their design concept was that people tend to be ignorant on the importance of urban planning in a community because of their desires and ambitions. This ignorance could lead to different societal problems which will get worse if not paid attention to.
UAPSA-UST would like to thank media partners Inquirer.net, InqPOP, One Mega Lifestyle, BluPrint, SparkUp and Monster RX93.1 as well as sponsors Globesco, Inc., Sphero Paints, Pacific Properties, Wilcon Depot and Microcadd Institute who showcased their booths throughout the whole week and celebrated the National Architecture Week with the students of the college.
Last but not the least, we would also like to express our gratitude to the students that participated with us during the National Architecture Week. Without their support, NAW would not be as enjoyable and successful as it was. Thank you for celebrating NAW with us and we hope to see you again in the following year.
