October 24, 2023

The celebrations of World Architecture Day 2023 around the globe, last October 2, are manifestations of the global architects’ solidarity and commitment to building resilient communities through sustainable solutions. With the theme “Architecture for Resilient Communities” by the Union Internationale des Architectes (UIA), the WAD 2023 celebration pushes for an international discourse on the relationship between urban and rural areas among the global community and an emphasis on the capacity of the architecture industry to create resilient and workable community.

At the United Architects of the Philippines’ National Headquarters in Quezon City, with the presence of the UAP National Officers, we celebrated World Architecture Day by welcoming all architects, architecture students, and graduates to our one-day Open House that featured the recent developments of our beloved organization that promulgates resiliency and continuity of success.

The whole-day event was an opportunity to exhibit the winning works of architects in the Asian region at the recently concluded 2023 ARCASIA Awards for Architecture (AAA) of the 20th Asian Congress of Architects (ACA20) which the Philippines recently hosted –  thanks to Architect Cecilia Cayman Gamana, Executive Director of the UAP Commission on Professional Practice and her Deputy Executive Director Arnold San Sebastian for making this part possible. The ACA20 and the AAA had Immediate Past Secretary General Ar. Jonathan Manalad and PRB-ARC Chairman Hon. Ar. Robert Sac as their convenors, respectively. In addition, remarkable solutions and ideas by emergency and resilience architects from various UAP chapters were on display, which architecture students and graduates can learn a lot from.

The official introduction of the UAP Head Quarters Reimagined Project to the community of industry partners, led by Chairperson Architect Junie Camu-Angelo, in a contract-signing ceremony, signals the start of a makeover for the UAP National Headquarters that every architect should look forward to. It truly incites excitement for architects longing for a conducive and comfortable home.

There was also the launching of the Architectural Documentary Film Festival 2023 (A+D 2.0), led by Architect Niña Maiquez, Executive Director of the UAP Center for Filipino Architecture (Sentro ng Arkitekturang Pilipino), which was an opportunity for architects to showcase their on-screen creativity while delving into the depths of architecture that the public should know about. It is also a perfect platform for architects passionate about filmmaking or producing documentaries.

Additionally, the CPD Seminar, curated by Architect Ronnie Yumang and Architect Robert Benedict Hermoso, reflects the longstanding commitment of UAP to giving learning opportunities to its member architects for their self-development and career progression.
‍
We also relaunched the UAP website, now providing ease to architects in need of digital services. At the same time, it also drives the general membership to adapt to the digital landscape to keep up with the current times.

The solidarity of UAP Chapters in celebrating World Architecture Day also transpired across the country and abroad. Our colleagues at the Capiz Chapter brought the vibrant celebration to the public through a motorcade, a mall exhibit, and a lecture for everyone; a tree-planting activity marked the WAD celebration in the Laguna Chapter; the Capiz Tumandok Chapter conducted a clean-up drive at the beach and planted mangrove seedlings; the Bulacan Chapter went to Marcelo del Pilar NHS and conducted rendering competition with high school students; Cabalen Pampanga Chapter hosted a Mural Painting Contest for architecture students; and a lot more WAD events organized by various UAP Chapters, mostly in collaboration with our counterparts in UAP Student Auxiliary (UAPSA) and Graduate Auxiliary (UAPGA) Chapters.

All these programs/activities by the UAP reflect the organization’s commitment to FUTURE PROOFING the profession and the organization. Resiliency requires architects to equip themselves with the knowledge and passion needed to become an asset toward change. More than being resilient, a profession with compassion leads to a life with a mission – to become a changemaker and a game-changer.

On a personal note, let me congratulate the UAP Commission on Governmental and External Affairs (UAP-CGEA) Executive Director, Architect Mary Kristine A. Segovia, together with the Chairperson of the WAD Celebration, Architect Maria Alora P. Angeles, for spearheading the fruitful celebration of World Architecture Day at the UAP National Headquarters!

On behalf of the UAP National Board, we extend our warmest gratitude to everyone who celebrated World Architecture Day, wherever they are! Saludo sa arkitektong Pilipino, saan man sa mundo! #FutureproofingUAP #UAPAimHigh #SaArkitektoSigurado #GetAnArchitect.

Richard M. Garcia, FUAP, ASEAN AR, PALA, PIEP, is the current national president of the United Architects of the Philippines. He graduated with a BS Architecture degree from the University of Santo Tomas in 1993. He holds professional licenses in architecture, landscape architecture, and environmental planning. He started his career in 1993 with G&W Architects. That firm is now known as Visionary Architecture, or Visionarch, one of the world's top 100 firms of its kind, and he is its current vice president and senior partner.