UAP MARIKINA VALLEY CHAPTER AT THE 2016 JOINT AREA ASSEMBLY - X-STREAM: ARCHITECTS IN ACTION

This year the UAP Marikina Valley was represented by fourteen members composed of some officers, board members, and Conex 2017 organizing committee members. We all decided to go a day ahead of the scheduled conference so that we could tour the city and rest before the October 14-15 meeting.

We arrived 15 minutes earlier from our estimated time of arrival. I was surprised to see a very progressive and clean city. On our first night we stayed at the Riverside Inn which was reserved for us by the Boysen Visayas – Mindanao group. As soon as we dropped our luggage at the Inn, we went out to explore the town by going to certain famous landmarks like the Molo church, the Jaro Cathedral and the Camiña Balai na Bato. This last site that we went to is an Ancestral home which was turned into a restaurant and at the same time, a museum of furniture and artifacts of the Hispanic era.

As part of our tour, we were served chocolate ‘Tablea’ drink and biscocho bread.  In the evening, we were treated by the Boysen group to a sumptuous dinner of seafoods like ‘talaba’, squid and other fish food delicacies at a sensible restaurant.

Next day, October 14 was the start of the conference proper. The meeting was held at the newly constructed Iloilo Convention Center. Architect William Coscuella designed this building and was a pleasure for this Ilonggo to contribute such a beautiful structure for his province mates. They say that his design was inspired by the colorful native sail boats that Iloilo is known for.

Our UAP National President Architect Guillermo Hisancha made his welcome speech and talked about his camaraderie among all the architects who attended the affair. He mentioned that this was the second national gathering. The first one was in 1995, twenty-one years ago. He also mentioned that Iloilo City is the cradle of the Ilonggos who are a caring and happy people.

The basic ideas that our National President wanted us to be aware of was for the UAP Community to update and understand issues that affect the organization, reflect on our role as a planner and designer and to keep abreast with new information that we get from others. He also talked about learning to care for the community and the people around us. Extreme Architects in Action means active participants sharing new ideas, to develop new ideas and to set standards in local communities. It also means to give assistance to our communities and projects of hearts and minds giving service to our communities thus leaving a great mark of experience, sense of fulfillment and to live better lives. In short, we give back to the community by making use of our profession.

The next to speak was Architect Nina Bailon-Arce, the National Executive Vice-President who introduced our guest speakers for the day, Hon. Arcadio H. Gariceta, Congressman Arcadio talked about promoting the general welfare of their constituents, providing good public service through good governance, transparency in office, more people participation in the governance.

As a break from lectures, the Pavian Provincial High School performed a dance and their choir serenaded us with the song called “Paraiso.”

The third speaker was Architect Rene Richie Corcuera, he happens to be the Chairman for Bayanihang Arkitektura 2016-2017. The thrust of his speech was about the following:

• Unity
• Accountability
• Professional Responsibility

After lunch some of the members proceeded to the designated places for the Sports Fests like in the Covered Courts of the University of San Agustin and St. Elizabeth Billiards & Bowling Alleys. The other architects who stayed on proceeded to the Jaro School playground to initiate the painting of animal structures in that place with paints donated by Davies, Phils. This was part of the CSR project of our organization. There was a welcome dinner at the convention hosted by the Iloilo chapter

On the last day of the conference, the Marikina Valley Chapter group chose to join the Guimaras land tour. The weather was a bit cloudy and drizzling because a typhoon was entering the Philippines about that time.

We rode a van that took us to the pier where a big “Banca” was going to take us to the “Buena Vista” wharf entry of Guimaras Island. It was a 15-20 minute trip to the island and when we arrived, we rode a van that took us to several places around the island. We visited a Botanical garden resort, Roca Encatada which is a house owned by the Lopez clan. Then we visited the Navales church and we got to see the 27 San Lorenzo windmills put up in the municipality of Buena Vista.

Buena Vista is the oldest municipality with a long history. General Douglas Mac Arthur was first assassinated there so he was responsible for building the wharf of that town.

We were told that the Guimaras mango is the “sweetest mango in the world according to the Guinness book of world records.” Unfortunately we didn’t see or taste any mangoes because it was off season.

One of our most scenic adventures was a trip beside the beaches, the Guisi Lighthouse. Finally, we visited the Trappist Monastery where we bought our souvenirs and food delicacies like Mango biscocho, toasted mammon, Rosquillos and butterscotch cake.

We went back to Iloilo City via the port of Jordan. It was a very scary trip on the way back because the waters were choppy and rough. We got so tired that we decided to rest before attending the Fellowship: Davies Night. This party was held at the Royal Garden Hall Convention Center.

Sunday morning was spent attending mass at the Jaro Cathedral, ate lunch out and then proceeded to go to the airport for the 5:00 p.m. flight.

I will cherish this experience because Iloilo City is a beautiful place, the food is good and cheap and the people are very hospitable. I was also happy that we were a big group so this made the trip more enjoyable. I wish that next year there would be more of our members who could join these events because it brings us closer to each other, experience and appreciate the beauty of our country.

Hope to see more of you all next year!