Kickoff to a Golden Milestone

THE professional organization United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) actively promotes architecture and constantly ensures Filipino architects’ professional growth. For many years, the Professional Regulation Commission has given it the annual Most Outstanding Accredited Professional Organization award.

Reaching its fifth decade, the UAP continues to mainstream the architecture profession in building design and construction. It keeps its members, here and abroad, abreast of innovations through seminars, lectures and community outreach programs.

As the countdown to its 50th year anniversary commenced, Cebunao members were reminded of their role in setting the UAP foundation. When the UAP was assembled through the joining of three separate architectural organizations in the ’70s — the Philippine Institute of Architects, the League of Philippine Architects, and the Association of Philippine Government Architects — the first chapter to be chartered was the UAP Cebu Chapter. While having its headquarters in Quezon City, the UAP was birthed south in the Visayas’ heart.

The leaders saw it fit to hold the kickoff of the yearlong countdown to the UAP’s golden year in the Queen City of the South. They organized two important activities that marked the countdown to its golden birthday next year last March 22, 2024: a three-day exhibit at SM City Cebu’s rotunda and a gala night at the NuStar Resort in the South Reclamation Properties, Cebu City.

UAP national leaders with the officers of the UAP Regional District C1 chapters. PHOTO FROM LAUD STUDIOS

Organizing it were UAP Vice President for Area-C Rolan Paolo Alberto, Regional District C1 Director Leartes Tabotabo Jr., UAP College of Fellows (COF) Chancellor James Jao, and a team of chapter presidents and select members from all 10 chapters of UAP’s Regional District C1 (RD C1).

The exhibit opening in the morning was led by UAP National President Richard Garcia and District C1’s architects and architecture students. The guest of honor, Cebu City Vice Mayor Raymond Garcia, spoke of the architects’ role in nation-building, especially in preserving heritage buildings for which Cebu is known. The event interviews of 50 Central Visayas architects from private practice, academe, construction and project management, and government showed the level of architectural practice that continues to produce the region’s competent architects and inspiring architecture.

Highlights

The NuStar Resort’s Fili Hotel ballroom glistened that night as Cebuano architects gathered with the UAP leaders for the kickoff. They raised their glasses days ahead of the UAP’s anniversary on March 26. The UAP National Board, the UAP College of Fellows, and the officers and members of the ten UAP Chapters of UAP RD C1 listened to testimonials, including Cebu City Councilor and acting City Mayor Dondon Hontiveros.

The evening’s highlight was the symbolic lighting of the UAP District C1 Chapter logos in golden colors. Chapter presidents and charter members of the 10 UAP chapters, namely, Cebu, Rajah Humabon, Dumaguete, Bohol, Datu Lapu Lapu, Sugbu, Cebu Leon Kilat, Metro Cebu, Cebu Fort San Pedro and Cebu Fuente joined the UAP national president in the toast.

Pioneering Cebuano architect Jose Mari Canizares’s message was a milestone. Recently, the UAP National Board approved his endorsement by the UAP COF as the UAP’s 17th Likha Gold Medal Awardee. He will be formally conferred this title during the UAP National Convention in Manila. The award is the highest distinction that the UAP may bestow upon a fellow in recognition of their active membership and excellent service.

Canizares is the first UAP Likha Awardee from the Visayas-based chapter. He was among the architects who were instrumental in the integration of three different Philippine architecture associations into what is now known as the UAP. He joins the ranks of other Likha Awardees like National Artists for Architecture Leandro Locsin and Francisco “Bobby” Mañosa, among others.

The UAP gala in Cebu celebrated close to 50 years of the organization’s role in shaping Filipino cities. It also recognized the Cebuano architects’ role in the UAP creation. The UAP anticipates another 50 strong years of honing Filipino architects in creating built environments founded on the Vitruvian principles of “Venustas, Firmitas, Utilitas” (Beauty, Strength, Utility).

Ar. Karl Aries Emerson F. Cabilao is a Cebuano architect and a full-time permanent faculty of the University of San Carlos’ Department of Architecture. In his 20-year-UAP membership, he served as a two-term president of the UAP Sugbu Chapter (2008-2010) and later chairman and member of different national committees. For his notable contributions to architecture and UAP active involvement, he is among the youngest members to have been elevated to the UAP College of Fellows in April 2017.