Future Forward NAW: The National Architecture Week’s 50th Anniversary (Part 2)

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

The National Architecture Week 2021 opening ceremonies headed by the NAW 2021 Vice Chairperson, Ar. Murielle N. Gallardo-Cristobal, kicked off last December 6, 2021. It was opened by the UAP National President, Ar. Armando Eugene C. de Guzman III, followed by a special message from the UAP National Executive Vice President, Ar. Richard M. Garcia, and a welcoming remarks by the NAW 2021 Chairman, Ar. Reynaldo M. Cristobal Jr.

The President of the Republic of the Philippines, His Excellency Rodrigo Roa Duterte gave a congratulatory message to the architecture community as they mark the 50th year of architecture week. It was followed by the Keynote Address by the Vice President, Her Excellency Maria Leonor Gerona-Robredo, who expressed her admiration and support to the Filipino architect.

Fifteen Continuing Professional Development (CPD) webinars worth 14.5 credit units were hosted by the UAP NAW 2021 Committee throughout the week-long celebration. For the opening ceremonies, the Committee invited three Australian speakers who shared about the following topics: (1) “The Architect’s Role in Nation Building” by Prof. Anoma Pieris, PhD, (2) “Architectural Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic” by Prof. Amanda Achmadi, PhD, and (3) “Architecture and Urban Planning of the Future” by Ar. Iderlina Mateo-Babiano, PhD, UAP. These were capped off with a special lecture by the Dean of the Adamson University - College of Architecture, Ar. Sylvester Shaun D. Seño, M.Arch, UAP, PIEP, FRIA, titled: “The Architect’s Foresight”.

The celebrations overflowed to the Day 2 of the celebration which was headed by NAW 2021 Area B Representative, Ar. Reginald M. Cabrera. The first lecture titled “AGRItektura” by Ar. Maria Mynn Porciuncula-Alfonso, UAP, encourages people to consider Agriculture in Architecture in cities. It was followed by a lecture by Ar. Isidoro R. Malaque III, PhD, UAP, PIEP, titled “Indigenous Practices on Filipino Architecture” which explores the construction of urban poor housing. Lastly, the afternoon sessions concluded with “The Art and Science of Home Improvement” by Ar. Marietta BundalianSegovia, FUAP, PIID, which practically covers everything that impacts the overall interior functions of spaces.

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 softopening of the UAP Museum.

Future Forward NAW Day 3, headed by NAW 2021 Secretary, Ar. Michelle B. Ting, started with a webinar by EnP. Ibylou Bandala-Golla, PhD, PIEP, which talks about “EIA for RLA’s: An Architect’s Guide to Environmental Impact Assessment”. It was followed by a lecture on the “Significant Role of Technology in Disaster Mitigation or Recovery Efforts in Natural and Built Environment” by Engr. Reginald Juan M. Mercado, PECE. In the afternoon a lecture titled “Indigenous Bioculture as Vital Contributor to Regenerative Living + Ecopreneur’s Competitive Advantage in a Time of Crisis” was conducted by Ar. Ronnie R. Yumang, UAP, PIEP, which pays tribute to the traditional Filipino culture while consequently awakening the entrepreneurial spirit among architects. It was followed with a talk by a documentary film director, Dir. Pablo Gabriel R. Malvar, who shared about the “Significance of Quality Documentation in Promoting a Brand or Advocacy”.

Day 4, headed by NAW 2021 Area C Representative, Ar. Jodie Elexa O. Casco, opened with the nationwide simultaneous NAW Exhibits by various UAP Chapters and Districts followed by the Soft-Opening of the UAP Museum located at the headquarters in Scout Rallos, Quezon City. In the afternoon sessions, Ar. Richard M. Garcia, FUAP, PIEP, opened the CPD webinars with a talk titled “LifeCentric Architecture: Livable Communities for the Future and Better Normal”, which was followed by a lecture on how architects contribute to PWD Social Inclusion through accessibility efforts titled “Architects Advocating Social Inclusion” by the blind architect himself, Ar. Jaime G. Silva, FUAP, PABA.

The fifth day, headed by NAW 2021 Area A Representative, Ar. Melanio L. Martinez Jr., featured Ar. Gerard Rey A. Lico, PhD, UAP, who unraveled the complex processes that inform the development of Filipino architecture while demonstrating its potency as a palpable expression of Filipino culture through a lecture titled “Constructing Filipino Identity through Architecture”. It was followed by Ar. Ma. Luisa M. Valerio, UAP, which aimed to enable Filipinos to learn from and to be inspired by our glorious past, through the lecture titled “Heritage Preservation and Urban Development”. The afternoon sessions gave participants four very powerful and inspiring documentaries about our built heritage.

Finally, six brilliant architect-academicians were pitted against each other through a healthy exchange of ideas titled “BALANGKASAN: Should online education be pursued in Philippine architecture degree programs beyond the COVID-19 pandemic?”. Ar. Jocelyn A. Rivera-Lutap, DPA, FUAP, Ar. Minerva C. Rosel, MURP, UAP, PIEP, and Harvey A. Vasquez, M.Arch, UAP, presented their stand to pursue online education under the YES Panel. On the other side, Ar. Rossano G. Baradi, M.Arch, UAP, Ar. Maricel L. Modesto, MSCM, UAP, and Ar. Michael Roger S. Sanchez, M.Arch, MBA, UAP, also presented their personal stand under the NO Panel. The debate was moderated by UAP Commission on Education Executive Director, Ar. Maria Cynthia YlaganFunk, M.AdvArch, UAP, and the Dean of the Adamson University – College of Architecture, Ar. Sylvester Shaun D. Seño, M.Arch, UAP, PIEP, FRIA.