Celebrating National Architect Week in Davao City
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N 1971, former president Ferdinand Marcos issued Proclamation 934, declaring every second week of December as the National Architecture Week (NAW). The observance is celebrated in recognition of the Filipino architect’s contribution “to the systematic and well-planned development of urban centers, parks, cultural, and art centers, as well as modern trends in construction.” The proclamation also underscores the architects’ invaluable contribution toward planned urban growth, environmental planning, and overall social progress.
The United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) celebrated NAW 2023 alongside the Philippine Architecture Festival on December 4 to 9 with the theme, “Sigaw ng Alon: Soaring Beyond the Boundaries of Architecture.”
While the hub of UAP’s NAW festivities centered in Baguio City with the UAP Baguio City Chapter as host, other UAP chapters and districts around the country had their own celebrations in their respective localities. UAP District D1, headed by District Director Jasper Resare, lined up a string of activities in Davao City to mark this weeklong observance. District D1 consists of eleven UAP chapters located in Central and Southern Mindanao.
To jumpstart the Davao celebration, a motorcade was conducted around the city in the morning of December 4. Attended by architects, suppliers and members of the UAP Graduate Auxiliary (UAPGA) and the UAP Student Auxiliary (UAPSA), the convoy started at the KJC Kingdome and ended at La Herencia Davao, where the NAW opening ceremonies were held.
To further drum up the national observance, past UAP National President Benjamin Panganiban Jr. and UAP Vice President for Area D Jaime Gonzaga guested that same morning on the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao.
Gonzaga talked about the objectives of the weeklong NAW celebration, while Panganiban explained about the recent Supreme Court ruling on Section 302 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the National Building Code.
The exhibit tour, featuring the 2023 Garbo D1strito honorees, followed the opening ceremonies. The Garbo D1strito is an annual award bestowed to a “seasoned” member architect of a UAP District D1 chapter in recognition of their contribution to the organization and the architecture profession. Events on December 5 to 7 highlighted activities organized by the UAPGA Davao Chapter and UAPSA chapters from the different architecture schools in Davao City.
On December 8, an Architectural Forum and Talks was held at Jose Maria College. The resource persons were Architect Panganiban, who discussed “What’s Next After the Supreme Court Ruling of IRR 1096 Sec. 302?” and past UAP Davao Chapter president Daniel Lim, who shared his knowledge on the “Business Practice in Architecture.”
Other resource persons included Ar. Fredinel Banaag with the topic, “Architecture Design Exploration,” and UAP Chancellor of the College of Fellows James Jao, who recounted his “Journey of Architecture Practice (From Small Scale to Large Scale Projects).”
The much-awaited awarding of the Garbo Distrito honorees followed next. The 2023 awardees are Artemio Ian Collo, Gloryrose Dy-Metilla, Jose Alvarado, Alvin Morales, Benjamin Panganiban Jr., Francisco Santos Jr., Roberto Louh, Ramon Tanglao, Daniel Lim, Marlo Basco, Mary Joyce Telin, Aristeo Maderal Jr., Alvin Vicente, Jeffrey Brabante, Marvin Alegria, Antonio Villanueva Jr., and Salvador Mascardo 2nd.
The weeklong observance of NAW in Davao City culminated with the UAP District D1 Christmas Party held at the Jade By The Sea Resto Bar on December 9.
The success of the whole celebration was made possible through the ardent support of all chapters in the district and their respective chapter presidents, namely, Sheanna Bacus (Davao), Raphael Ryan Santamarina (Mount Apo), Jane Marie Oponda (Soccsksargen), Jose Guzman Jr. (Cotabato), Brian Alric Panganiban (Kadayawan Dabaw), Ricards Elejorde (North Davao), Brian Birrey (Davao Alpha), Maria Pauline Zambrano (Datu Bago-Dabaw), Isabelita Israel (Balladaw Dabaw), Angelo Felix Regalado (Sinlayan), and Jobert Lewis James (South Cotabato-Koronadal).