UAP to host first virtual annual National Convention
THE United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) is set to hold the 46th UAP Annual National Convention (natcon), first time in a virtual platform on April 22-24, 2021 with the theme “FUSION.”
This will be a revolutionary gathering for the UAP, a virtual congress that is made possible and great even during an ongoing pandemic. Having been able to execute a big virtual congregation is a feat in itself, an accomplishment that has gone through the trials of these tough times.
As early as now, I call this a successful endeavor of our beloved organization, and I would like to send my sincerest congratulations to our hardworking organizers, under the leadership of the executive director for the Commission on Conventions, Assemblies and Exhibits, Arch. Antonio A. Valdez and natcon director Arch. Markel Cesar A. Luna, in gathering thousands of Filipino architects sprawled across the world for this three-day event.
Even amidst the continuing pandemic, we can bravely say that the UAP is blessed to have hurdled the challenges. We saw what our shared contributions to the organization can lead to the realizations of our thrust: Noble Leadership, Good Governance, and Member First.
The past year has seen us working together to achieve better results. This allowed us to practice collaboration, not only among our peers but with our colleagues from allied professions because we know that many heads are better than one and that each of us can make immense contributions. These experiences seemed to have prepared us for our convention’s main campaign.
This year’s theme FUSION is a significant representation of our shared ideals and aspirations, through strong and unbounded unity. We aim for the UAP as a strong platform of dynamism, a melting pot where every idea is regarded and heard, where camaraderie and rapport are cultivated and celebrated.
It is made stronger with every member’s pro-active participation, further honing of abilities with competent skills development, continuous education, meaningful corporate social responsibility projects, and life experiences.
In this convention, we shall promote the melding of ideas, alliance, and networking among architects and other professionals, collaborative synergism with creative minds, and blending of architectural solutions for the good of the Filipino community.
It is also my hope that in this convention we strengthen and further observe the celebration of the 100 Years of Architecture in the Philippines, a year-long milestone that we have prepared for. Throughout this period, I invite you to make use of all the opportunities to advance your knowledge and skills, with the objective of upholding the UAP’s mission in mind and in the heart because it is what a true-blooded member of the United Architects of the Philippines is.
At this point, I encourage my dear colleagues in the architecture profession, to participate in this convention, to enjoy the jubilant gathering, network with one another, and exchange meaningful and healthy conversations. Again, I am extending my heartfelt gratitude and overwhelming respect to the organizing committee, our invited resource speakers, presenters, participants, delegates, special guests, and exhibitors for all of your generous contributions.
In conjunction with this event is the conferment of the 15th Likha Gold Medal Award to our Past National President, Arch. Nestor S. Mangio, a distinguished gentleman who believes that designs must always be built on dreams and inspirations, of which the design philosophy is anchored in his belief that a beautiful work of art is more appreciated when one can incorporate it in their daily lives and when one gets economic gains from it or value for money. The Likha Gold Medal Award is the highest distinction bestowed by the UAP as endorsed by the College of Fellows upon a fellow.
Arch. Mangio held various government positions, including director of the Bases Conversion Development Authority in 1993, 1995 and 1998; director of Fort Bonifacio Development
Corp., the Clark Development Corp. and the Philippine Centennial Expo ’98; and as chairman of the Clark International Airport Corp. from 2007 to 2008. Presently, he serves as the chairman and president of Central Country Estate Inc., owner/developer of The Lakeshore, the first of its kind resort community in the Philippines, with a sprawling 10-hectare world class man-made lake; president of N.S. Mangio Construction and Development Corp.; principal architect/environmental (urban) planner of Nestor S. Mangio Architects and Associates; owner and general manager of Hotel Gracelane in San Fernando, Pampanga; managing director of Nobleman Properties Inc.; chairman of The Lakeshore Marketing Corp., and a managing partner of EcoSolutions and Green Development; president and currently the chairman of the Paris-Based International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI-Philippines Chapter) and a board member of FIABCI International. He also holds the distinction of being the president of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce Inc. As a professional architect and real estate developer, he held the position of director of the Chamber of Real Estate Builders Association and was former chairman and president of the National Real Estate Association of the Philippines; past chancellor of the UAP College of Fellows, vice chairman of the UAP Foundation; past president of the University of Sto. Tomas College of Architecture Alumni Association. He was also a past president of the UAP Angeles City Chapter and the Rotary Club of San Juan Metro, District 3800.
During his term as UAP National President, Arch. Mangio demonstrated his vision, leadership and unrelenting zeal in his unique brand of service as he showed that the Filipino professional could rise to the occasion and meet the demands of the times and reached out to UAP members in far-flung areas and aligned himself with their dreams and aspirations for a better, stronger UAP. His presidency is best remembered for the Ten-Point Program Thrust, which was presented by the UAP to then President Fidel V. Ramos; far-reaching and comprehensive, the program helped elevate the image of the UAP as a reliable partner of the government in nation-building.
Arch. Mangio is recipient of various awards such as Outstanding Architect given by the Angeles City “Kuliat” Jaycees; “Fellow” and Design Excellence Award for Paskuhan Village by the UAP; one of the Top Ten Market Leaders in Asia in the Field of Architecture by the Business and Construction Interchange Asia; the esteemed Blessed Rinaldi Servant Leader Award from the Salesians of Don Bosco; the 2006 Outstanding Professional of the Year Award in the Field of Architecture by the Professional Regulation Commission.
To the delegates, sponsors and friends in the industry, welcome to the 46th UAP National Convention in a virtual platform.
(The writer is the current National President of the United Architects of the Philippines. He has been in the private practice for more than 34 years. He is also a Landscape Architect, a Fellow of the UAP, an ASEAN Architect and a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Architects Singapore, a Member of the Philippine Association of Landscape Architects, IFLA. He is a graduate of B.S. Architecture from the FEATI University and presently a Professorial Guest Lecturer at De La Salle University Dasmariñas, Malayan Colleges Laguna and University of Santo Tomas.)