"My Guardian Angel" Isah Myka's Acrylic Painting Practice

"My Guardian Angel" by Isah Myka Memo 12|26|2011 medium: acrylic on paper

This is Isah Myka's first exposure to acrylic painting completed December 26, 2011. The model subject was chosen from their "My Very First Bible Book".

I found it pretty much impressive for a beginner. I never had any hand's on experience myself in acrylic painting as far as i can remember but I guided her anyway with a handful of knowledge I have with visual arts. I taught her first of the very basic on how to properly hold the brush and apply the paint. We hope to have more learning and practice sessions as the days go by in order to learn more about other rendering techniques such as tone, hue, shadows, textures and the like. 

Encouraging them to get into visual arts at an early age is fun while at the same time it enhances their learning and develop their overall cognitive abilities.

UAP Cavite Hosted Landscape Exhibit and Landscaping Lecture Series (National Architecture Week 2011 Celebration)

UAP Alabang Chapter's Rainforest Landscape 

Pursuant to the Presidential Proclamation No. 934 (Declaring the Second Week of December of Every Year as Architecture Week), the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) through the Commission on Governmental and External Affairs and 2011 NAW Committee and in coordination with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) spearheaded the 40^th National Architecture Week Celebration.   

“This year’s theme for the National Architecture Week is “Architecture and the Allied Arts” as prescribed by the NCCA with the aim to help the architects be more aware and conscientious of the potentials of a multi-disciplinary collaboration to the profession, and be more understanding of the issues and demands surrounding the professional practice.” – NAW 2011 Rationale and Concepts behind the Celebration

UAP Cavite's Zen Garden

UAP Cavite Architects celebrated the national event by hosting the UAP District B3’s Landscape exhibit and Landscaping Lecture Series on December 7-11 2011 at the Bahay ng Arkitektong Kabitenyo, UAP Cavite Chapter’s headquarters.

UAP Parañaque-Palanyag Chapter's Tropical Landscape
Exhibit

Opening of the exhibit was graced by the UAP National President Ar. Ramon Mendoza, uap where hundreds of butterflies were released in the exhibit area. Also present during the event were Ar. Mohammadsarfraz Araneta Uttoh, uap, Exec Dir. of UAP Commission on Governmental and External Affairs(UAP-CGEA);  Ar. Arsenio Pascual IV, Chairman of the UAP National Committee on Legislation and Codes (UAP National CLC); Past National Vice President Ar. Sonny Rosal, uap; Ar. Zenaida Galingan of the Philippine Association of Landscape Architects (PALA); UAP Cavite Chapter Past President Ar. Rene Heray, uap; Ar. Vanessa Lagman Ledesma, uap Makati-CBD Chapter President; Ar. Romeo Vinco, uap Parañaque-Palanyag Chapter President; UAP Cavite Chapter Past President Ar. Rene Heray, uap, members of the UAP Chapter and Members of the United Architects of the Philippines – Student Auxilliary (UAPSA).

UAP Makati CBD Chapter displayed a modern garden as their
exhibit.

UAP District B3 Chapters participated with each setting up their own exhibits. UAP Cavite Chapter presented a relaxing Zen Garden with simple but refreshing rocks and pebble arrangement beside a man made koi pond which is incorporated to the headquarters’ structure. Alabang Chapter also showcased their talents through their Rainforest Landscape while UAP Parañaque-Palanyag Chapter set up their own exhibit with a Tropical Garden theme. Makati-CBD Chapter also presented a simple but eye-catching Modern Landscape under a modern building background which represents the geographical location of their chapter. Special participation of UAP-Graduate Auxilliary (UAPGA) Cavite was present with their Green Roof and Living Wall garden at the headquarters roof deck.

Ar. Zenaida Galingan, PALA giving lecture on the importance of Landscape Architects as an important allied professionals.

Opening of Exhibit was followed by a Landscaping lecture presented by Ar. Zenaida Galingan, pala, founding member of the Philippine Association of Landscape Architects (PALA) in an audience attended by UAP Cavite Architects and UAPSA Students from De La Salle University – Dasmariñas. Series of lectures also held from December 8-10, 2011 where attended by UAPSA members from National College of Science and Technology (NCST), Cavite State University (CAVSU) and TIP.

UAPGA Cavite showcasing their living wall garden.

Roof Garden/Green Roof concept, another exhibit of UAPGA-Cavite.

Architects and guests as they eagerly await the exhibit's opening ceremony.

Ar. Precy Aterrado and Ar. Heray preparing for the opening ceremony. 

Zen Garden concept exhibit of UAP Cavite Chapter.

Water, Air, Earth and Metal, some of the elements present in a Zen garden.

A Koi pond integrated with the UAP Cavite's headquarters as part of the Zen garden.

Another view of the Zen garden set up.

Bamboo, pebbles and rock formation adds character to the UAP CAvite Chapter's Zen Garden.

The Bahay ng Arkitektong Kabitenyo's main hall, venue of the Landscaping lecture series.

Ar. Zenaida Galingan, PALA explaining different landscape concepts.

Token of appreciation was awarded to the lecturer and guests.

From left to right: District Director for B3 Ar. Richie Corcuera, Past NAtional VP Ar. Sonny Rosal,
UAP National President Ar. Ramon S. Mendoza, Ar. Zenaida Galingan, PALA,
Area B Vice President Ar. Norman Morales, Ar. Ric Mabituin, Ar.  Precy Aterrado,
Exec. Director for UAP-CGEA Ar. Mohammadsarfraz Araneta Uttoh,Dr. Presenciana Pinazo, UAP-CLC Chairman Ar. Arsenio Pascual,
and UAP Cavite Chapter President Calixto Kamantigue, Jr.

Another  view of the UAP Alabang Chapter's Rainforest Landscape 

Tropical landscape exhibit by UAP Parañaque-Palanyag Chapter.

Caviteño Architects Lead UAP Area B's National Architecture Week 2011 Celebration - Iskul Takubets Project MOA Signing and Ground Breaking Ceremony

With the sub-theme "Landscaping Architecture: Converging Architecture and Landscape" the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) Cavite Chapter lead the series of activities last December 7-11, 2011 in observance of this year's National Architecture Week (NAW). This year's celebration intends to help architects be more aware and conscientious of the potentials of a multi-disciplinary collaboration to the profession, and be more understanding of the issues and demands surrounding the professional practice, particularly with landscaping.

ISKUL TAKUBETS Project MOA Signing and Ground Breaking Ceremony

GEANHS’ Drum and Lyre Corps 

welcoming the guests to the venue

Ground breaking ceremony and MOA signing of the “Takubets” Project opened the activity last December 7, 2011 at the Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo High School (GEANHS). The project is UAP’s commitment to provide convenient, safe and clean environment by building school toilets for the school. First of its kind of UAP’s project in Cavite, the project is in partnership with the GEANHS’s school administration and GPTA and sponsors and is expected to be completed in the first week of March, 2012.

Guests and participants were warmly welcomed by the GEANHS’ Drum and Lyre Corps at the UAP Cavite’s Bahay ng Arkitektong Caviteño after which, the same were lead to the Emilio Aguinaldo High School’s covered court where UAP National President Ar. Ramon Mendoza, uap and other architects and guests were welcomed by honor guards, school administrators, student, faculties and PTA Officers.

School welcomed and honored UAP Architects in full color entourage.

Dr. Presenciana E. Pinazo, principal of GEANHS opened the ceremony with a message of gratitude to the United Architects of the Philippines for granting them such project and pledged all-out support together with other stakeholders in order to realize such project.

District Director for Area B3 Ar. Ritchie Corcuera, uap gave a brief introduction of the special guests Ar. Ramon Mendoza, UAP National President and Vice President for UAP Area B, Ar. Norman Morales, UAP. The national president gave a message on the importance of the TAKUBETS Project in line with having a safe and clean environment particularly for the students. A challenge was also given to the students to take care and maintain the project.

MOA Signing of the ISKUL TAKUBETS Project (from left to right):
Ar. Corcuera, UAP Nat'l President Ar. Ramon S. Mendoza, uap,
Ar. Kamantigue, Dr. Pinazo and GPTA Officers

Ar. Morales also commended the UAP Cavite Chapter for pioneering the project in Area B and challenged the Chapter to complete at least 5 “Takubets” Projects in Cavite while Ar. Calixto “JK” Kamantigue, Jr., UAP Cavite’s Chapter President thanked the different stakeholders for the support and lauded the different roles and participation of each group. According to him, aside from the design of the project, UAP will provide roofing materials, tiles, water closets and construction supervision while the school and the PTA will in turn shoulder the labor.

Other members of the school community headed by Mrs. Elizabeth Z. Villanueva, GEANHS TEC President and Mr. Arnold Hernandez, GPTA president pledged support in the project implementation and maintenance.

Cutting of ribbons on the construction site with
Dr. Presenciana Pinazo, Principal of GEANHS
 and UAP National President
Ar. Ramon S. Mendoza, UAP

The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was then signed followed by the ground breaking ceremony where a time capsule was laid at the center of the project site.

Also present in the event were different Area B3 Chapter presidents namely: Ar. Vanessa Lagman Ledesma, uap representing Makati-CBD Chapter and Ar. Romeo Vinco, uap for the Parañaque-Palanyag Chapter; Ar. Arsenio Pascual IV, Chairman of the UAP National Committee on Legislation and Codes (UAP National CLC); Ar. Mohammadsarfraz Araneta Uttoh, uap,  Exec Dir. of UAP Commission on Governmental and External Affairs; Past National Vice President Ar. Sonny Rosal, uap; Ar. Zenaida Galingan of the Philippine Association of Landscape Architects (PALA); UAP Cavite Chapter Past President Ar. Rene Heray, uap and other members of the UAP Chapter.

Dr. Presenciana Pinazo, Principal of GEANHS and UAP National President
Ar. Ramon S. Mendoza, UAP lead the ground breaking ceremony.

UAP Cavite Architects and guests stood by as time capsule is being laid on the
construction site.

Ar. Richie Corcuera, UAP and Ar. Calixto "JK" Kamantigue, UAP
 covers the time capsule with earth.

UAP Architects with school administrators and guests.

Area B Vice President Norman Morales, UAP
and GPTA President Arnold Hernandez during the ground breaking  ceremony

Ar. Vanessa Lagman Ledesma, uap representing Makati-CBD Chapter
and Ar. Romeo Vinco, uap for the Parañaque-Palanyag Chapter

Ar. Mohammadsarfraz Araneta Uttoh, UAP,  Exec Dir. of UAP Commission on Governmental and External Affairs with a member of GEANHS' faculty

The time capsule being covered with earth during the ceremony.

Ar. Zenaida Galingan, PALA
and UAP Cavite Chapter Past President Ar. Rene Heray, UAP

From Left to Right: Mr. Hernandez; UAP Cavite Chapter President Calixto "JK" Kamantigue, Jr., UAP;Ar. Mohammadsarfraz Araneta Uttoh, uap, Exec Dir. of UAP-CGEA; Dr. Presenciana E. Pinazo, principal of GEANHS, Ar. Ramon Mendoza, UAP National President;
Vice President for UAP Area B, Ar. Norman Morales, UAP;
District B3 Dir. Ar. Richie Corcuera, UAP

A Glimpse to the "Bahay ng Arkitektong Kabitenyo" - UAP Cavite Chapter's Headquarters

The new "Bahay ng Arkitektong Kabitenyo" 

Yesterday, I attended the warm blessing and inauguration of the office/headquarters of the UAP Cavite Chapter,  of which I am a new member. True to its name, the "Bahay ng Arkitektong Kabitenyo" is home to more than 150 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 Inaguration.

Ceremonial ribbon-cutting with Arch. Mendoza

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 Pesident Arch. Mendoza, fuap, Area B3 District Director Arch. Richie Corcuera, uap, UAP Cavite Chapter President Calixto Kamantigue, Jr., uap and other officers; after which a healthy meryenda courtesy of Aling Tonya's Pulutan was served and shared by those who attended.

Fr. Roxas presiding the house blessing.

Team Work and Solidarity.

Being a new member of the UAP Cavite Chapter, I do not have much knowledge yet on how this great project came to be but I learned that it was an effort of the past and current chapter's officers backed by ardent support and donations, both material and financial, from members and sponsors. 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.

Seamless incorporation of the container van to the structure.

The "Bahay ng 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 a 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. 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 a nearly 100-year old trusses, mostly of tanguile and yacal, from the demolished Sarao Motors Warehouse, while its roofing and steel decking is courtesy of SteelTech. Paints used were donated by Boysen, doorlocks 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 steel staircase painted in black 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 chapter 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. MB

**special thanks to Arch. Jun Kamantigue and UAP Cavite Chapter for the photos.

 
** Arch. Michael Lorenzo Angelo L. Memoracion, UAP is a proud new member of the UAP Cavite Chapter.
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**special thanks to Arch. Jun Kamantigue, UAP and UAP Cavite Chapter for the photo.