By Arch. Daisy L.P.-Palattao, uap, Convenor, ACARE 11Chair, DLSU-D Architecture Department

The 11th Annual Research Conference for Architectural Researchers and Educators (ACARE 11) has been successfully held last January 26 and 27, 2012 at the Alumni Auditorium of De La Salle University-Dasmariñas in Cavite, in cooperation with the United Architects of the Philippines - Cavite Chapter.

The event has been attended by 11 Peer Evaluators, 12 Presenters, 44 CODHASP Officers and Architects, 9 Guests, 70 Students and a Representative from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). A campus tour after the first day of conference using the University’s e-jeep (electronic jeep) and a tour of the Museo De La Salle marked the end of the event. NCCA and the UAP funded the event with One Hundred Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php150,000.00).

SUMMARY DAY 1:

Six research presenters from around the country who graced the first day.

 The first paper “DiwangLunan” by Ar. Emilio U. Ozaeta  focused on searching for the Genius Loci: San Juan City Pride of Place. Through phenomenological research approach the Spirit of Place embodied for San Juan was identified to be “water”. The data gathering fullness for the research was queried since Greenhills was not included as a part of San Juan in the study.

Ar. Rene Luis Mata in his paper “In Search of Heritage Trees” discussed the endemic trees that were used as building materials during Spanish times. In partnership with landscape architect Susan Ong, they identified the significance of heritage trees as an untapped potential for the construction industry in the country.

Ar. Br. BelaLanyi with his research on “Benchmarking the Trend towards a Globalized Concept of Function in Architecture” aimed to examine the birth, the development and the recent destabilization of “function” as an architectural concept, with its consequences; emphasizing the confusion and confrontation between globalization and local traditions.

The “Proposed Physical Development Plan for the Historical Town of Malolos” presented by Ar. Ma. Saturnina Parungao stressed the importance of conserving the town of Malolos, Bulacan into a Heritage Town Center that will also serve as a tourist district.

Ar. Rhea Olimpo’s also presented her paper entitled “Richness and Pattern Analysis of Our Lady of Remedies Plaza in Manila”. Her work analyzed the visual, non-visual and pattern richness in the plaza; various applicable improvements for the site were formulated in order to meet the goals of the study.

Architects Juanito Malaga and Zenaida Galingan were last to present their research on “Make or Wreck: Vegetations in Heritage Architectural Ruins” on Day 1. It focused on two Heritage Architectural Ruins -  the Cagsawa Church and Sinimbahanan Church; and the effects of vegetations with these structures.

SUMMARY OF DAY 2

The presentation proper was opened with a very interesting innovation of a tricycle to an aerocab by Ar. Teofilo Vasquez, who is not just an architect, but also an inventor, innovator, artist, manager, teacher and philosopher mold into one.  Ar. Topy believes in utilizing the power of Architecture to better our communities and improve our lives. Reactors and some of the audiences pointed out that the impact of the said aerocab to community and traffic planning should have been incorporated in the presentation.

District Director for Area B, Ar. Rene Richie Corcuera represented the UAP National President, Ar. Ramon S. Mendoza in the event  shared five main points to consider:

  1. Promote the creative ability to design as a core competency of the architect that can add value to society.
  2. Facilitate programs and projects to meet global challenges through networking, sharing of knowledge and resources, continuing professional development and specialization.
  3. Work to strengthen the improvement of service delivery, reduction in red tape, abortive works, and asking appropriate fees for service
  4. Reinforce the important role of Architectural education and training to raise-up a new generation of graduates, architects and professionals.
  5. Improve the services and friendliness of UAP to better serve members of the public.

Ar. Richie also emphasized that we as architects should be passionate in terms of service to our very own organization, the UAP.

Ar. Liza Morales Crespo on her paper: “The Green Revolution: Sustainable Design and Technologies in the 21st Century and Beyond” pointed out that civil and structural engineers have an important role in the design of green buildings and that there should be re-evaluation on the current methods of building together with a re –organization of the hierarchy of priorities needs.

In the afternoon, Ar. Semeon Formozo and Ar. Luis Bo-ot discussed their successful invention of homemade manual tapping machine which they called “Development and Collaboration of a Protoypical Machine”. Their prototype, though made up of local materials, will absolutely make improvement in building performances most specifically in terms of acoustics.

Lastly, Ar. Rosalie Flores-Bernardo presented her work “Solar Power and Historic Buildings:  A Case Study on Building – Integrated Photovoltaics for the exterior lighting of the St. Michael the Archangel Building”.  The Research tackled how technology may be integrated into existing buildings of historic value through facade lighting as an output of the energy harnessed from solar panels.

The conference ended up with a point of view shared by ACARE President Ar. Christopher SP Espina who emphasized that the goal of the event is to align the presentations with what we need to improve in our teaching methodologies for the BS Architecture program to upgrade the graduates’ competency.  He also stressed on the need for cooperation between academicians and the practicing architects.

*** based on UAP Official Website http://www.united-architects.org/index.php/news-and-events/218-arki-researchers-a-educators-confab.html

 
January 18, 2012

To : The UAP General Membership

Thru : UAP Area Vice Presidents, Regional District Directors

Chapter Presidents

Re : Suspension of the Effectivity of the Guidelines for the Issuance

Of the UAP-IAPOA Certificate of Good Standing effective

January 1, 2012

 

The United Architects of the Philippines (“UAP”), in compliance with the Joint Statement issued by the Professional Regulatory Board of Architecture (“PRBoA”) and the UAP on the CPD/E Program for Architects (refer to Annex 1) prepared the Guidelines for the issuance of the UAP-IAPOA Certificate of Good Standing (refer to Annex 2), which is based on the following grounds:

·         an agreement to redefine its conditions for a member to be in good standing

·         to strengthen the organization

·         to keep its member architects updated on recent trends and technologies

·         requirement of proof of attendance at conventions, conferences or meetings

The Guidelines were discussed during the Chapter Presidents Assembly last April 20, 2011 and was subsequently ratified by the General Assembly during the 37th UAP National Convention.

The Office of the UAP National President issued Memorandum Circular No. 08, s. 2011 last July 12, 2011 informing the General Membership of the effectivity of the said Guidelines on January 1, 2012.

To further acquaint the General Membership, the Office of the Secretary General unwearyingly discussed the said Guidelines during the Area Consultative Meetings for the Fiscal Year 2011-2012:

·         Area A Consultative Meeting held last November 12-13, 2011 at Fontana, Clark Field, Pampanga

·         Area B Consultative Meeting held last November 26-27, 2011 at Noni’s Mountain Resort in Alitagtag, Batangas.

·         Area C Consultative Meeting held last September 23-24, 2011 at Smallville 21 Hotel, Smallville Complex, Iloilo

·         Area D Consultative Meeting held last July 16-17, 2011 at Garden Oases Resort and Convention Center, Davao City.

Recently, the UAP received an invitation from the PRBoA for a Consultative Meeting on matters concerning the profession. The meeting was attended by members of the PRBoA, PRC Commissioner-in-charge for Architecture, Hon. Alfredo Y. Po and stakeholders of the architecture profession including the Other Association of Architects (OAAs) and arrived at a common agreement to suspend the Guidelines for the Issuance of the UAP-IAPOA Certificate of Good Standing for the time being, specifically the 20-participation point requirements.

Again, to faithfully comply with the said agreement reached during the meeting and in order to afford another opportunity for the stakeholders to propose improvements/amendments to the Guidelines concerning the issuance of UAP-IAPOA Certificate of Good Standing, the UAP hereby suspends the effectivity of the said Guidelines, specifically the 20-participation point requirements, until further notice.

All concerned UAP national and chapter officers are hereby directed to provide support, assistance and publicity in relation to this Circular.

ARCH. RAMON S. MENDOZA, FUAP

UAP National President

By the President:

ARCH. REY S. GABITAN, UAP

Secretary General