by Ar. Kenn Paolo Valero, uap

With last year’s theme, Movie Festival, the Caviteño Architects drew inspiration from the movie Harry Potter by wearing their black ‘togas’.  From Harry Potter, the Caviteños jumped into bolder, fiercer and more resourceful outfits as they turned to be ‘Street Fighters’.

The theme for this year’s Davies Fellowship Night was ‘Cartoon Festival’ or in a simpler term ‘Toon Fest’.

The event was held last April 21, 2012 at SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City as the culminating event of the 38th United Architects of the Philippines National Convention (UAP NatCon) with the theme ‘Architectural Pride: Landmark, Leadership, and Legacy.

Almost all the delegates flock at the venue with their cartoon-inspired costumes.  While the entire registered participants for the best in costume, ramped their dress-to-kill outfits on the provided runway.

There were two categories for the best in costume competition: the Duo Category and the Ensemble Category.  The Caviteño Architects participated in the latter together with major contenders from District B3, the Alabang and Makati CBD Chapters.

by: Ar. Kenn Paolo Valero

The Aguinaldo Shrine proudly stand at the heart of the historic tinsel town of Kawit in the province of Cavite and was the seat of throne of the revolutionary and Magdalo leader, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, the first President of the Philippine Republic.

The shrine’s most significant feature was its Balcony or Valconaje wherein many ‘firsts’ happened.  It was where he declared the Philippine Independence and Liberation or Kalayaan on June 12, 1898.  It was also where the ‘Lupang Hinirang’ or Philippine National Anthem first heard. On the other hand, the Philippine National Flag was also first waived or ‘iwinagayway’ (but there are historic claims that it was then first waived on the town of Imus of the same province). 

The Aguinaldo shrine was featured many times on historical books and textbooks, print ads like magazines and newspapers, even on televisions, write-ups, educational tours and the likes.  All of which describing Aguinaldo shrine as a historic edifice and landmark, as part of our country’s rich and diverse history, heritage & culture, but unknown to others, its significant physicality and soul, or should say architectural features to that extent.  So let me take you to an architectural tour and take a glimpse to the ins and outs of what I personally noted as “The Architectural Icon of Cavite”.

by. Ar. Michael Lorenzo Angelo L. Memoracion, uap


The office/headquarters of the UAP Cavite Chapter was recently blessed and inaugurated last September 18, 2011. True to its name, the “Bahay ng mga Arkitektong Kabitenyo “is home to more than 200 architects of the chapter and embodies the dreams and aspiration of every Arkitektong Kabitenyo while showcasing ingenuity in design and innovative execution. The structure is conveniently located at the Cavite Civic Center in Brgy. Palico, Imus, Cavite where other government offices and institutions such as the General Aguinaldo National High School, Civil Service Commission, LTO, Cavite State University-Imus Campus among others, making it accessible to almost everyone who is in need of its services.


Blessing and Inauguration.

Then event was graced by the presence of UAP National President Ramon S. Mendoza, fuap, officers from District B3 and UAP Cavite Chapter, sponsors, guests and members. After the ceremonial ribbon cutting, an ecumenical para-liturgy and blessing was presided by Rev. Fr. Antonio A. Roxas, parish priest of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish followed by greetings and messages from UAP National President Ar. Mendoza, fuap, Area B3 District Director Ar. Richie Corcuera, uap, UAP Cavite Chapter President Calixto Kamantigue, Jr., uap and other officers; after which a healthy meryenda courtesy of Aling Tonya's Palutuan was served and shared by those who attended.

Team Work and Solidarity.

Credit is given to all the UAP Cavite’s past and current chapter presidents and officers backed by ardent support and donations, both material and financial, from members and sponsors for their effort in realizing such dream of having a UAP headquarters which they could truly call their own. In the message of Architects Corcuera and Kamantigue, they recounted and thanked everyone who unselfishly and tirelessly contributed in order to make the project possible. Several member-architects have not only shelled out a significant amount from their own pockets but also devoted their precious time and brilliant ideas and yes, even hard labor just to realize this dream. Several sponsors were also commended, not only for supporting the construction of this project, but also for always being ready to back up any endeavor of the UAP Cavite Chapter.  Specially mentioned sponsors were Arkiworx, Details, Boysen, Davies, HACSteel, HCG, IC Architecture and Landscape, Perfect Sign, Shaw Blvd. Glazing, SteelTech, Syngenta, among others. 

Green and Truly Filipino Architecture.

The "Bahay ng mga Arkitektong Kabitenyo" is a 2-level structure with an open plan carefully designed with its end-users in mind. Needless to say, this building is a product of truly innovative and brilliant minds, and is reflective of a genuine Filipino architecture. The main hall on the ground floor is similar to that of bahay kubo's "sala" with an open plan that can serve many functions such as product presentations, exhibits, meetings, and other activities. Its main flooring is elevated from the ground to allow air circulation from down under to the gaps of its wooden floor while at the same time giving users the sense of security and comfort. Forming part of the main floor on its eastern side is made of an old 40-foot long container van which perfectly blended with the rest of the structure. Most of its sides are louvered wood, allowing maximum wind exposure and circulation while at the same time minimizing heat gain, thus, reducing the need for artificial ventilation and electricity.

Its shed roof is framed by nearly 100-year old trusses, mostly of guijo and yacal, from the demolished Sarao Motors Warehouse, while its roofing and steel decking is courtesy of SteelTech. Paints used were donated by Boysen, door locks were made of Faultless (which by the way has a 25-year mechanical warranty and a 5-year warranty on finish) provided by Globe International Distributor Center, Inc. Notable on its facade is a gently sloping ramp for persons with disabilities (PWD's), added not only in compliance to the BP 344 (Accessibility Law) but also as a contribution to UAP's advocacy of making every public building accessible to everyone. A checkered plate steel staircase painted in black (donated by Ar. Jemar Daguiso)  on the far end of the building leads to the 2nd floor which serves as an office cum mini-library exhibits the UAP Cavite Chapter's numerous memorabilia of accomplishments and recognitions. Indeed, the chapter is one of the best UAP chapters as evident on the battery of plaques and trophies that nearly fills up the walls of the room. The office area terminates to an open balcony where one could enjoy the nice view of the serene landscape.

The building is not only aesthetic inside-out but also satisfies the requirement of a fully functional and sustainable building. The UAP National President Ramon S. Mendoza, fuap lauded the chapter for this exemplary accomplishment being the first local chapter to have built such a great edifice for its office. The Krokis