UAP San Juanico Chapter’s ‘Be Honest’ message through murals
AS part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) thrust, the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP)-San Juanico Chapter conducted a mural painting activity on the second week of February this year at the Leyte National High School in Tacloban City.
It undertook the project in collaboration with the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP) Tacloban South Chapter, United Architects of the Philippines Student Auxiliary (UAPSA)-Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) Chapter, Island Premium Paints, Leyte National High School, and Barangay 49 of Tacloban City.
Aimed as an avenue for community awareness, the project wants to send a strong message to the people of Tacloban City and the rest of Region 8 about the relevance of the BCBP’s “Be Honest” campaign. The advocacy seeks to bring Jesus Christ and Christian values into the marketplace and workplace and win them for Him. Honesty, one of the golden principles in the Christian faith, is a compass that influences entrepreneurs and professionals in their business dealings.
The project conceptualization started in September 2023 during a coffee chat between myself and Engr. Eric Oliva, the current chapter head of the BCBP Tacloban South Chapter. I opened my plan to him and the proposal snowballed and finally came to fruition.
A blank perimeter wall of the Leyte National High School along Lino Gonzaga Avenue was selected as an ideal spot and a strategic location for the mural. Actual production of the mural painting took three days to complete, starting in the late afternoon of February 10 and ending in completion in the evening of February 12.
Assisting yours truly in spearheading the project were the other officers of the chapter, namely, Ar. Julius Tadeo, director for Arkitektong Filipino; Ar. Lemuel Luxie Gumba, director for Private Practice; Chapter Vice President for Programs and Development Ar. Selena Faith Mendoza; and Chapter Vice President for Operations Ar. Divina Buñales.
The event was also made possible through the valuable support of Engr. Oliva; Ms. Ma. Delia Soria, Principal 4 of Leyte National High School; Hon. Rose Faith Uy Kieng, Punong Barangay of Barangay 49, Tacloban City; Mr. Dennis Elona, Business Development Officer of Island Premium Paints; and Hannah Mendoza, chapter president of UAPSA-Eastern Visayas State University Chapter.
As a member of BCBP for almost 15 years, serving as the immediate past head of the Programs and Services Directorate and focusing on this advocacy, I found the perfect opportunity to work in a partnership between BCBP and UAP San Juanico when I assumed the presidency of the chapter this fiscal year. This joint effort would further boost the “Be Honest” campaign and, at the same time, promote the architectural profession.
The project also created a venue for students in the College of Architecture and Allied Disciplines of EVSU to make use of and showcase their God-given talents and abilities in mural renderings or paintings.
For their willingness to share their time and talent, the following students are worth mentioning: Mark Biong (team leader), Keana Alzate, Ace Solajes, Marini Bermudo, Bradlee Porquez, Jarelle Saño, Lindsey Orquin, Roque Malbueso, Andrey Bon Pajaron, Gabriel Cesar Pacure, Lovelyn Carilla, Alfred John Quimsing, Leann Rose Consad, Fiona May Castillo, Edralyn Evangelista and Peter John Paul Enoviso.
The author is a native Waraynon born in Tacloban City who traces his humble beginnings in the Region 8 provinces of Leyte and Samar. He finished a Bachelor of Science Degree in Architecture at Eastern Visayas State University (formerly Leyte Institute of Technology), placing second in the June 2004 Licensure Examination for Architects. His private practice has been focused on the design and building of government institutional buildings and commercial and residential projects for almost 20 years. He has been serving both God and the community with his active affiliation with the BCBP Tacloban South Chapter for 15 years. He is also serving as chapter president of the UAP San Juanico Chapter.