UAP Post: A Celebration

Time, indeed, flies so fast. It seemed it was like yesterday when we faced the trials of the pandemic that changed our lives. We had to deal with the struggles that came with it and had to face the challenge to provide genuine service to our UAP community and be a beacon of light for the entire architecture profession.

Despite the drawback, we overcame and emerged triumphant because our dedication is more robust than ever. Even when navigating in an ocean of uncertainties leading toward the new normal way of living, we embraced a world of changes as a united organization because we know these are all for the best.

We welcomed the fiscal year 2022-2023 with a renewed sense of commitment and an even grander vision for success to futureproof the UAP and the profession.

We laid our plans in place and began working towards our goal. The fiscal year is the start of reaching out to our members beyond the virtual set-up. One of our directions for the fiscal year is to start incorporating face-to-face activities into our calendar while underscoring the importance of observing austere measures.

We held general assemblies and membership meetings for our different chapters, making our presence felt in other regions and ensuring that all voices will be heard. The physical presence of every member, along with their happy and joyful faces, is enough of a reward for all the hard work of our UAP officers, who painstakingly prepared for each activity with laser-like focus and meticulous care. It is an indication that we are on the right path.

True enough, our hard work paid off greatly. The past six months have been filled with tremendous accomplishments that we genuinely take pride in it as a community.

October last year, we successfully conducted the National Conference of Architects (NCA) 2022 in Bohol with the theme “PAYAGPAG”. The beautiful Bohol island served as a majestic setting for the two-day gathering with our members joining us from different parts of the country. The positive outcome of this activity proved that we are ready to take flight and soar high.

Our World Architecture Day activities also provided a great venue to feature our member’s extraordinary talent in a global celebration while highlighting opportunities for learning and enhancing each member’s potential.

Just last December, we witnessed the National Architecture Week (NAW) and the launching of the first Philippine Architecture Festival where we saw a diversified and more inclusive celebration that is way beyond what we have done in the past. We were able to showcase our profession through different NAW activities in various parts of the country, which intensified the promotion of what we can offer to the nation. From street dancing to week-long exhibits to lectures from international speakers, set to an overall festive occasion, the celebration was more meaningful and more memorable to our members and partners.

We have also relaunched our #GET AN ARCHITECT campaign slogan with a Multilingual Filipino adaptation of the current campaign structure.

Being able to conduct these activities effectively is already a remarkable feat. Our face-to-face activities brought many fond memories with our old comrades and created opportunities for meeting new ones whom we have only met online for years.

More importantly, we were able to show the world how we can efficaciously hold these activities, showcasing our best as the IAPOA and as a strong community of Filipino architects ready to take on the world.

Through these meaningful events, we have already proven how UAP has always been, and will continuously be, a strong force in shaping the landscape of the profession in the Philippines and as an esteemed organization that leads in the promotion and advancement of our domain.

We have proven that we can conquer the most arduous task, even in the face of changes and trials. That is what success is made of, and we take pride that despite dealing with many setbacks along the way, we made it.

While we look back on the months that led us here, let us remember to keep the momentum going. We cannot afford to let our guard down, for all of these are just the beginning.

I want to thank all your efforts in making all these achievements, for it is in your actions and contributions, whether small or big, that we are celebrating now.

Our dear chapters and districts, thank you for your never-ending support to the National Board.

And lastly, to our beloved members, we thank you for your active participation, wherever you may be. We are always grateful for the trust and confidence you give to our leaders, and we assure you that you will only receive the unfailing and genuine service you deserve.

Together, let us achieve all the plans we laid out until the end of our term. We had a great start, and I am confident we will continue this drive until we reach the finish line.

For now, let us dedicate this time to celebrate. All our feat is a testament that it is possible to aim high and that it is possible to reach even the most unachievable, unattainable feat.

Let us all recognize the hard work and devotion each of us has contributed. Celebration is equally important as working towards clinching the goal.

Here is to the success we made and the victories we are about to conquer for the rest of the Fiscal Year.

Mabuhay and Arkitektong Pilipino. Mabuhay ang UAP!

Editorial Council

FY 2022-2023

Richard M. Garcia, FUAP, ASEAN ARCH, PALA, PIEP

National Council Chair

Joan S. De Leon Tabinas, UAP Executive Director, Professional Devt. Commission

Charleen Libron Alquiza, UAP Deputy Executive Director, PDC

John Lemuel G. Llacuna, UAP Chairperson, Committee on Publications

John Immanuel R. Palma, UAP

Vice Chairperson, Committee on Publications

Ericson P. Europa, FUAP, PIEP, NAMPAP

Editor-in-Chief, UAP POST

Geolette Y. Esguerra, UAP, PIEP

Associate Editor for Area A

Johnus Renan D. Mirazol, UAP, PIEP

Associate Editor for Area B

Karl Aries Emerson F. Cabilao, FUAP

Associate Editor for Area C

Sheena Pearl Basmayor,UAP

Associate Editor for Area D

Jonnel S. Castro, UAP

Associate Editor for International Chapters

Juesm M. Curitana, UAP

Creative Consultant

Executive Committee

FY 2022-2023

Richard M. Garcia

FUAP, ASEAN Arch, PALA, PIEP National President

Jason S. Ang

UAP, ASEAN ARCH, PIEP

National Executive Vice President

Donato B. Magcale