Future Forward NAW: The National Architecture Week’s 50th Anniversary (Part 1)

by: Ar. Reynaldo M. Cristobal Jr., UAP, PIEP, RMP

The United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) once again led the celebration of the National Architecture Week last December 6-11, 2021 which featured fifteen Continuing Professional Development (CPD) webinars courtesy of the great line up of speakers shown above, a Balangkasan, four original short documentaries, a nationwide simultaneous tree planting program, six simultaneous NAW exhibits, and the soft-opening of the UAP Museum.

The Philippines once again observed the National Architecture Week last December 6-11, 2021. The celebration was spearheaded by the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP), the Integrated and Accredited Professional Organization of Architects (IAPOA).

This fiscal year’s celebration was truly special to the architecture community as the event is in fact on its 50th year. It was on the 18th of November 1971 when Presidential Proclamation No. 934 was signed, declaring the second week of December of each year as “Architecture Week”. The very heart of this festivity was well stated in the said proclamation – “that architects contribute to the systematic and wellplanned development of urban centers, parks, cultural and art centers, as well as to modern trends in construction; and that it is desirable to draw (public) attention to their invaluable contribution towards planned urban growth, environmental planning and for over-all social progress”.

Staying true to its roots, the UAP National Architecture Week (NAW) Committee for fiscal year 2021-2022 led by Ar. Reynaldo M. Cristobal Jr., envisioned the 50th celebration to be the loudest, the longest, and most inspiring in recent years, with the goal of making real connection to the general public whilst stressing the real value of the architect and its God-given talent and skill of “foresight”. And with this, Future Forward NAW was born.

Future Forward NAW (to be read as “Future forward now!”) implies that despite the challenges and uncertainties that we are all facing in the midst of this national health crisis, architects do not fret, for we are trained to look into something and really see strengths and opportunities. In fact, architects literally turn dreams into reality as they mold what would seem as a simple idea (or concept) into a very tangible and habitable masterpiece. And this is UAP’s message to the public. We are ready, because we foresee. Architects are ready for the future, now!

The National Architecture Week 2021 celebrations is anchored on three main objectives. First and foremost is to “promote the importance of architects and the value of ethical collaboration with other professionals”. This is the driving force for the Pre-event programs such as the “Ready NAW” – a weekly talk show broadcasted via Facebook and YouTube every Wednesday from November 3 to December 1, 2021.

The second objective of the celebration was to “emphasize the architect’s ability to synthesize current socio-cultural behaviors and environmental challenges in envisioning or shaping the future built environment”. With this, the NAW Committee made a call for participation last October 27, 2021 for Nationwide Simultaneous NAW Exhibits to be held on December 1-7, 2021. Guidelines for two options were crafted by the Committee –physical exhibit, and virtual exhibit – application of which depended on the situation of the respective UAP Areas, Districts, and Chapters.

The third and final objective of the event revolved around “increasing awareness and proactive participation of the general public in celebrating the importance of architecture”. This was achieved through the pre-event nationwide simultaneous tree planting program of the Committee, the 15 webinars conducted throughout the weeklong celebration, the four original documentaries, the Balangkasan and the soft-opening of the UAP Museum.

Overall, it can be said that the celebration of the 50th National Architecture Week truly lived up to expectations. Mabuhay and Arkitektong Filipino! Future Forward NAW!

Nationwide Simultaneous NAW Exhibits were held last December 1-7, 2021. Photos courtesy of UAP Antique Chapter (left), UAP District C2 (middle), and UAP Pampanga Centro Chapter (right).