❖ HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURAL PROFESSION IN THE PHILIPPINES

WHAT IS AN ARCHITECT?
An architect is a person who plans, designs and oversees the construction of buildings.
To practice architecture means to provide services in connection with the design of buildings
and the space within the site surrounding the buildings that have human occupancy or use as
their principal purpose.
The professional requirements for architects vary from place to place. An architect's
decisions affect public safety, and thus the architect must undergo specialized training
consisting of advanced education and a practicum (or internship) for practical experience to
earn a license to practice architecture. Practical, technical, and academic requirements for
becoming an architect vary by jurisdiction, though the formal study of architecture in academic
institutions has played a pivotal role in the development of the profession as a whole.

ARCHITECTURE AS A PROFESSION
Architecture is for people, and the foremost purpose of any building is to provide
functional, healthful, safe, and pleasing shelter for human activity. A building affects not only its
occupants, but its period of history and all those who come into contact with it. If a building is to
be successful, its design must be appropriate to its time in history, to its place in the community,
and to its function as a shelter. Its construction must be economical, safe, and of sound, well-
maintained materials. The architectural profession must advise the public and the construction
industry in the production of buildings that answer these criteria, and the individual architect
must design these buildings and administrate the contracts for their construction. By discharging
these responsibilities in their day-to-day practices, the members of the architectural profession
protect the public interest while creating our constructed physical environment. Any profession
so vitally concerned with the protection of the public interest will develop certain private
organizations and public regulative devices to assist it in the advancement of the art and
science of its profession. Thus architecture-like other recognized professions such as law,
medicine, dentistry, and accounting- exhibits four organizational and regulative devices
characteristic of such professions.

➢ History of UAP
In The Beginning
The magic that attends all beginnings, the pains that accompany all births - these are
privileged memories that belong to our founding fathers.
They were there when an emergent UAP burst into the light in 1975, a news-born whose
proud genealogy could be traced back to the Spanish era, the descendant of many transmutations
of brilliants genes. Its parents were the best architects in this land who in their youthful energies
conceived, nurtured and labored to give it birth.
Lest we forget pure time, let us go back in time - to understand the proud origin of what
we now casually call the UAP.

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 ➢ The Prologue
During Spanish time there were no schools of Architecture in the Philippines. The closest
a Filipino could aspire to the title of an Architect or practice Architecture was to be a Maestro de
Obra. The first school of Maestro de Obra was founded by the Spanish government: the Escuela
Practica y Professional de Artes Oficios de Manila. There were two classes: first, was with
academic title Maestro de Obras-Academico; and second, those who acquired their expertise
through practical experience licensed by the Ayuntamiento de Manila called Maestro de Obras-
Practico. The first Filipino graduates were Julio Hernandez (1891), Isidro Medina (1894), Arcadio
Arellano (1894) and Juan Carreon (1896).
However, the First Filipino Architect was Felix Roxas y Arroyo who was schooled in
London and began his architectural practice in 1858. In 1877 – 1880, he was employed by the
Spanish government, as the Municipal Architect of Manila. His outstanding works were the Santo
Domingo Church and the Ayuntamiento de Manila in Intramuros, which, unfortunately, were both
destroyed during the Second World War.

➢ The 1st Organization

In 1902 the first organization of architects was formed with the surveyors: Academia de
Arquitectura y Agremensura de Filipinas. (AAAF). This was headed by Guillermo Gardiner
(Maestro de Obras and Surveyor) as President; Arcadio Arellano (Maestro de Obras and
Surveyor) as vice President, Jose Perez Siguereza, (Surveyor) Secretary, Tomas
Arguelles (Maestro de Obras – Surveyor) and Jose Paras (Maestro de Obras – Surveyor) as
Directors.
In 1903 the organization was transformed as the Academia de Arquitectura, Ingenieria y
Agremnsura de Filipinas (AIAAF). The Academia promulgated the first standards of professional
practice for the practice of civil engineering and architecture, known as the Tarifa de
Honorios. which was patterned from the AIA documents.
In 1921, the founding of the architectural profession in the Philippines was formalized by
virtue of Philippine Assembly Act No. 2985 (An Act to Regulate the Practice of the Professions of
Engineers and Architect) signed into law on February 23, 1921, prepared by AIAAF. This law
created separate Board of Examiners for Architecture and Civil Engineering. The law also allowed
practicing Maestro de Obras to be automatically registered as Architects Tomas Mapua was
given the number 1 license as architect and Carlos Barreto and Antonio Toledo as numbers 2
and 3. All the three of them graduated in Architecture abroad.
In 1933 the organization was transformed as the Philippine Architects’ Society with Don
Juan Nakpil as president, Tomas Mapua as Vice president, Harold Keyes as Secretary-Treasurer,
Carlos Baretto and Fernando Ocampo as Directors. The Constitution and Bylaws of the Society
was patterned after American Institute of Architects.
In 1938, the Society drafted Bill Number 1850, proposing the separate statute for the
practice of Architecture from that of Engineering, which was approved in the second reading by
the National Assembly.
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 In 1941 the Society’s National Convention, with 96 members, was celebrated with a
message from President Manuel L. Quezon, speeches from Vice President Sergio Osmena and
the Manila Mayor Eulogio Rodriguez, Sr . The Professional Services of the Philippine Architects
Society was promulgated. The architects in government service were allowed to become
members of PAS, thus, Juan Arellano, Antonio Toledo and Elias Ruiz joined the society.
Then the Second World War came. The Architects formed a civilian group stationed in
Fort Santiago through Harold Keyes (co-founder of PAS) as appointed by the U. S. Army Corps.
The civilian group included Gabino de Leon,Angel Nakpil, Edmundo Lucero, and Arsenio
Topacio. Carlos Arguelles served as a member of the 32nd Armored regiment, First
Reconnaissance Battalion of the U.S. Army stationed in the Philippines.
After the war, in 1945, the Philippine Architect’s Society re-organized with Fernando
Ocampo as President, Cesar H. Concio as Vice President, Jose Zaragoza as Secretary, Luis Ma.
Araneta as Treasurer; Juan Nakpil, Andres Luna de San Pedro, Gines Rivera and Gabriel
Formoso as Directors. The name of the organization was changed to the Philippine Institute of
Architects and Planners (PIAP) which was later changed to the Philippine Institute of Architects
(PIA) by a Resolution presented by Carlos da Silva.
In 1948, PIA presented to the President of the Philippines Elpidio Quirino a resolution
offering professional services of its members to the government to assist in the preparation of
plans for public works projects under the War Damage Commission.
A group of members of the PIA incorporated as United Architects, Inc. as a corporate body
so that the members of the Institute composed of selected members can enter into Agreement
with the Department of National Defense on the Design of the Veteran’s Memorial Hospital.
However this much sought of project was awarded to another group of architects and engineers.
At about this time 15 members of PIA formed another organization: the League of
Philippine Architects (LPA) headed by eminent architects of the time – Pablo S. Antonio, Antonio
V. Bañas, Pablo D. Panlilio, Jose L. Reynoso and Elias L. Ruiz – the splinter group elected the
much younger Jose V. Herrera as its first president.
Under the 6th President of the PIA Cesar H. Concio, the repealing of Act No. 2985 was
approved by Congress which was vetoed by President Quirino.
During these past five years, PIA was working on the preparation of the Documents for
the Practice of the Profession, such as the standard Forms of Membership, Architectural
Competition, Awards, etc.
In 1947, the first Architectural Exhibition was held at the lobby of the Consolidated
Investment Building at Plaza Goiti as part of the 3-day PIA Annual Convention, which was held at
the Manila Hotel. The highlight of the Convention was in the Convention’s Honor Dinner wherein
the first Architect of the country Carlos Barretto, one of the founders of PAS and surviving
member of AAIF , was elevated as PIA Fellow.
In 1948, Congress enacted Republic Act No. 472, amending Administrative Code, Section
1901; which legalized the awarding of the design of public works and buildings to private architects

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and engineers, which may be considered as the magna carta of the practice of private architects
against bureaucratic architecture and engineering.
In 1949 the Law which separates the statutes of the Architects from the Engineers was
passed as Republic Act No. 544 andRepublic Act No. 545 (R.A. 545 has been repealed as R.A.
9266, as R.A. 544 still governs).
In 1950, the first Gold Medal Award for a Filipino Architect was given to Andres Luna de
San Pedro for the famous “Crystal Arcade “
In 1951, the Standards of Professional Practice prepared by the PIA was printed and
released.
In 1953, during the 20th Annual Convention of PIA, President Quirino hosted a cocktail
part in Malacanang, the first time the Architects were honored as guests by the President of the
Philippines.
In 1954, during the 96th Anniversary of the American Institute of Architects, Carlos da
Silva was honored as AIA Honorary Member, which was a recognition and honor to the Filipino
Architect by the American Architects..
On January 23, 1957, the Philippine Institute of Architects was officially admitted as the
National Section of the Union Internationale Des Architects (UIA).
In 1957 through the initiative of the PIA Committee on Professional Practice, PIA and LPA
had joint meetings to reach an agreement on the Standard Schedule of Fees. This was an effort
for the two organizations to be as one.
In 1958, the Architects employed in the government formed themselves into another
organization : Association of Philippine Government Architects (APGA).
In the early sixties, another group of young architects tried to organize another architects’
group, which was called Molave. This did not prosper.
Through many years, much effort had been exerted to bridge the gap among the three
groups.
The Philippine Council of Architects (1962) was a short-lived organization of , LPA and
APGA, which eventually became, in 1962, the Council of Filipino Architects (CFA), conceived to
be the umbrella organization under which the three societies would come under one banner. PIA
did not affiliate to the CFA.
In 1965, APGA, LPA and PIA unanimously approved the Architects’ National Code, the
Architects’ Services and Schedule of Fees which were later approved by the Board of Examiners
for Architects.
In 1969, during the presidency of Manuel T. Manosa , PIA; Librado Macalinao, LPA; and
Luciano Aquino, APGA a memorable joint fellowship was held.
The Architect’ Bowling Club (ABC) was organized with the members of the 3
organizations actively having tournaments, with members of the 3 organizations playing in teams
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decided by handicaps and “barcadahan” rather than the affiliation with the Architects’
organizations. There was also the Philippine Standard Invitational Ten-Pin Bowling Tournament
joined in by the architects
Other sports activities were also organized such as basketball, golf, etc. with members of
the three organizations participating.
In 1971, on the occasion of the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Profession an
Ad-Hoc Committee of young architects with Carmencita L. Rosales, as Chairman (PIA), . Maximo
P. Candelaria (LPA), Vice Chairman, Remigio G. Abello (PIA) as Secretary and Luzdivina
Barawed (APGA) as Treasurer together with some 14 young architects from the 3 organizations,
the committee were formed. Margie Poblete. Of Architectscope was the Over-all Coordinator. It
was a very successful affair, held at the Manila Polo Club. Most of the big names in the 3
organizations attended the affair as if there was only one organization of architects. Pablo
Ocampo, Cesar H. Concio, Juan Nakpil, Gines Rivera, Eric Nubla Ariston Nakpil Otillo Arellano,,
Anastacio Bernal, Edilberto Florentino, Manuel Manosa, Deogracias Atienza, Contantino
Agbayani, Jose Herrera, Aquiles Paredes, Luciano Aquino, Norberto Nuke, Gabriel Formoso,
Leandro Locsin, Felipe Mendoza, among more than one hundred architects, joined the
celebration. Oscar Mapua, representing his father was awarded as the holder of the number one
Architectural license in the country and then Senator Helena Z. Benitez ( later given a UAP
Honorary Membership ) as a special friend in the government..
The first one hundred architects were acknowledged and awarded.
During this time the members of LPA and APGA under the name of the Council of Filipino
Architects endorsed the resolution which designated the second week of December as the
Nationwide Architecture Week by President Ferdinand E. Marcos.

Looking Forward to Professional Unity

The year 1973 was the year when the illusive goal of professional unity was explicitly
conceptualized.
In April 1973, the LPA President Arch. Edilberto Florentino invited PIA President Ariston
Nakpil to a meeting which started a series of conferences between the two organizations and
eventually with Deogracias Atienza, APGA President. This culminated to the formation of the
Panel of Negotiators.
The Panel of Negotiators representing the 3 organizations was created by the 3
incumbent Presidents: Deogracias Atienza of APGA; Edilberto Florentino of LPA and Ariston
Nakpil of PIA composed of 3 the Presidents together with Benjamin Meamo and Alfredo
Tungpalan for APGA; Luisito Guiang and Ricardo Poblete for LPA and Otillo Arellano and
Carmencita L. Rosales for PIA. Antonio Asiniero of Marblecraft acted as the Moderator in all the
meetings of the Panel of Negotiators and at the same time of hosted the group, together with
other concerned members present at the Architectural Center Club Inc. (ACCI) at the ABC
Building, Ayala Avenue..
On June 1973 President Ferdinand Marcos issued PD 223 creating the Professional
Regulation Commission (PRC) for the purpose of regulating the practice of all professions.
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 On July 13, 1973, APGA-LPA-PIA Fellowship Affair was held at the Architectural Center
Club Inc. (ACCI).
On September 4, 1973 – after a long span of time, enough to heal the bruised knuckles
and egos of the members of the three organizations, the Panel of Negotiators after the approval
of each of the Boards of the 3 Organizations signed the Joint Comunique defining the principles
and guidelines of the Integration of the three Organizations headed by the incumbent Presidents.
On October 13, the Council of Filipino Architects endorsed the integration move, while
the Panel of Negotiators formally communicated with the Board of Architecture on the proposed
integration on October 24, 1973.
On December 9-10, the Architecture Week was jointly celebrated by APGA-LPA-PIA,
highlighted on December 10, by the passing of the Joint Board Resolution of Integration of PIA,
LPA and APGA. This Joint Resolution was ratified without objection in a joint general
assembly on December 16, 1973 at the Architectural Center in Makati.
The Joint Board Resolution laid down the objectives and concepts of the integration and
created the Ad-Hoc Commission to implement the terms of integration and to prepare the
constitution and bylaws of the proposed organization.
The members of the Ad-Hoc Commission were: From PIA came Adolfo Benavides
(President), Ariston Nakpil, Otillo Arellano, Felipe Mendoza and Cesar Canchela; for LPA,
Norberto Nuke (President), Edilberto Florentino, Aquiles Paredes, Victor Tiotuyco, and Jose
Herrera; and for APGA, Deogracias Atienza (President), Benjamin Meamo, Alfredo Tungpalan,
Benjamin Feliciano and Luciano Aquino.

The Journey to UAP

On January 1, 1974, the Ad-Hoc Commission assumed its function and formulated the
Constitution and By-Laws of the proposed new organization which was approved on December
19, and ratified by the membership of APGA, LPA, and PIA on January 15, 1974.
A name for the organization had to be chosen. A Committee on Organizational Name was
constituted on June 8, 1974, and composed of Architects Felipe M. Mendoza (PIA), Jose V.
Herrera (LPA) and Deogracias Atienza (APGA) was tasked to submit to the Ad-Hoc Commission
a list of names from which one may be chosen, suitable for adoption by the new national
organization.
After a thorough analysis, review and evaluation, many drawn to the name United
Architects of the Philippines and was chosen because it directly expressed the central concept
on which the organization was founded: unity.
On December 12, 1974, after the Ad-hoc Commission completed its task, the Boards of
all three founding organizations unanimously approved the Constitution and By-Laws of the
United Architects of the Philippines.

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 To take over the task of administering the affairs of UAP until the first Regular Board of
Directors would have been elected, the life of the Ad-Hoc Commission was extended to become
the Interim Board.
On March 26, 1975, UAP was incorporated and was registered with the Securities and
Exchange Commission with Registration No. 60782 and on May 12, the Professional Regulation
Commission with Architect Eric Nubla as the first Commissioner, issued Certificate No. 001 to
UAP as the duly accredited professional organization of architects in the Philippines.
The members of the Interim Board were: Norberto Nuke (President), Cesar Canchela (VP
for Private Practice), Deogracias Atienza (VP for Government Services), Aquiles Paredes (VP for
Allied Fields), Benjamin Meamo (Secretary), Alfredo Tungpalan (Treasurer) and Luciano Aquino,
Otilio Arellano, Benjamin Feliciano, Edilberto Florentino, Bernandino Lozad, Arturo Mañalac,
Ariston Nakpil, Victor Tiotuyco and Evelio Valdes as directors.
Finally on December 12, 1975, the members of the UAP elected the First Regular Board
of Directors, namely: Jose Herrera (President), Manuel Mañosa, Jr. (VP for Private Practice),
Ruperto Gaite (VP for Government Service), Cesar Concio (VP for Allied Fields), Urbano Caasi,
Jr. (Secretary), Librado Macalinao (Treasurer), and Felipe Mendoza, Ricardo Poblete,
Constantino Agbayani, Corazon Tandoc, Jesse Mackay, Antonio Ascalon, Johnny Sulit as
directors while Norberto Nuke as ex-officio.
Meanwhile, a group of PIA members led by Adolfo Benavides and some members of the
Board of the PIA, did not choose to become members of the United Architects of the Philippines.
PIA did not dissolve. Some members, while registered as members of UAP remained as members
of PIA. Until came a time, during the presidency of Felipe Mendoza, UAP has drafted a Board
Resolution, and later became part of the Bylaws of UAP, dual membership to UAP and PIA was
not allowed. This led to the existence of PIA as another separate Professional Organization.
In 1976, UAP became one of the founding members of the Philippine Federation of
Professional Organizations (PFPA, , the Philippine Technological Council (PTC), and the
Philippine Council for Planning and Housing (PCPH).
In 1979, UAP became one of the founding members of the Architects Regional Council
of Asia. In 1988 UAP became the National Section of UIA.

❖ OTHER FACTS AND TIMELINE

• FELIX ROXAS Y ARROYO- the first recorded Filipino architect

• The first formal school for master builders was opened only during the last decade of the
19th century.
• On 14 September 1902, many of the graduates of this school joined the civil engineers
and surveyors in the country and founded the first professional organization of architects
and allied professionals ~ the Academia de Arquitectura y Aguimensura de Filipinos
(AAAF).

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• A year after, its name was changed to Academia de Inginieria, Arquitectura y Agrimensura
de Filipinas (AIAAF).
• In 1904 it founded the first school of Architecture in the Philippines, the Escuela de
Ingenieria y Arquitectura, which offered five-year courses in Architecture and Civil
Engineering. Academia de Ingeniera, Arquitectura y Agrimensura de Filipinas
• The first organization for Filipino Maestro de Obras during the early 1900. It was co-
founded by Carlos Alejandro Barretto, et al. in 1903.
• The last serving president of the organization is Tomas Arguelles
• In 1911, the AIAAF was dissolved when the civil engineers withdrew to form their own
professional organization, but not before it has struggled for the passage of an Engineers
and Architects Law.
• In 1921, the Philippine National Assembly Act No. 2985 passed, the first enabling law for
the practice of the professions of engineering and architecture, defined the unique and
separate identities of the two professions.
• 1921- Tomas Mapua, member, became the first registered architect with the Professional
Regulation Commission license number 00001.
• 1925- Tomas Mapua established the Mapúa Institute of Technology, to train and to share
to the Filipino artisans what he have learned from the Cornell University in the United
States.
• A the turn of the century on 1933, during the American occupation, the Pensionado and
the members of the AiAAF joined forces hand-in-hand to establish the first architectural
professional organization in the Philippines, thus the founding of the Philippine Architects
Society on January 19, 1933.
• The organization's first president was Juan F. Nakpil, who was then only 32 years old. He
was president from 1933- 1935 until he was replaced by Tomas Mapua in 1935.
• Among the founding members of the organization were Carlos Alejandro Barretto, who
gave the name of the organization; Juan F. Nakpil, president; Tomas Mapua, chief of the
Bureau of Public Works; Tomas Arguelles, president of AiAAF; Juan M. Arellano, Pablo
S. Antonio, Andres Luna de San Pedro, from the Bureau of Public Works. The society held
its headquarters at the Nakpil Mansion in Dakota, Manila.
• 1950- Republic Act 545, or known as the Architects' Law was passed. RA 545 was
amended in 2004 and became the foundation of the current Architecture Act of 2004 or
the Republic Act 9266.
• 1952- The PIA was admitted to the Union de Internationale de Architectes (UIA), the
International organization for architects.
• 1961- It released its first publication journal entitled, PIA Journal with Felipe Mendoza,fpia
as editor. On the same year, PIA president L.V. Locsin, opened the Philippine exhibit of
American architect Frank Lloyd Wright at the PhilAm Life Building in Manila.
• 1966- The PIA released the first Architect's National Code. The same year, the
Architectural Center Club was founded by PIA members Carlos Arguelles, Gabriel
Formoso, AJ Luz, Francisco Fajardo, Manuel Manosa and Luis Araneta.
• 1970- The PIA drafted the provisions of Presidential Decree 1096, also known as the
National Building Code of the Philippines to be signed by President of the Philippines
Ferdinand E. Marcos.

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 • 1975- The PIA was united with LPA and APGA to form the United Architects of the
Philippines.
• The United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) was born on December 12, 1974 out of
the noble vision of unifying the three (3) existing architectural associations at that time –
thePhilippine Institute of Architects (PIA), the League of Philippine Architects (LPA) and
theAssociation of Philippine Government Architects (APGA).
• On May 12, 1975, the UAP was granted Certificate No. 001, the first professional
organization to be accredited by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). The
PRC is the central agency of the Philippine Government charged with the licensing and
regulation of professionals and the professions, as well as the Accredited Professional
Organizations (APOs).
• The UAP has been instrumental in the passing of Republic Act 9266: The Architect’s Law
of 2004, effective April 26, 2004. On 22 June 2004, the PRC, through its Board of
Architecture, accredited the UAP as the Integrated and Accredited Professional
Organization of Architects (IAPOA). The new law granted Filipino architects more
definitive rights, benefits and distinction as against other professionals in the construction
industry

❖ HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE EDUCATION IN THE PHILIPPINES

• Before the Architects Profession, architects where embodied by the “Maestro de Obras”
(Master Builders) who were responsible for the design , construction and supervision of erection
of structures.
• First form of architecture education in the Philippines during the 18th Century was the
Escuela Practica and Profesional de Artes y Oficios de Manila which was established by the
Spanish Government in 1890
• In 1900 Liceo de Manila a private school granted academic title of “Maestro de Obras”
and the first professional organization of architects, engineers, and surveyors were founded
in1904 known as the Academia de Arquitecture y Agrimensura de Filipinas”.
• In 1903, the Insular government sent scholars to the United States to study Architecture
in US universities under the “Pensionado Program”.
• In 1930 the first Bachelor Program for Architecture was opened by the Mapua Institute
of Technology and in 1931 The University of Santo Tomas followed, both offering a 5 year
program for Architecture
• The 4 year program ran until 1966 and in 1967 a new 5 year program (210 units ) was
adapted.
• In 1977 the COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION (Ched) issued a Memorandum
Order no. 61 Series of 1977 entitled , POLICIES , STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES FOR THE
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ARCHITECTURE (BS ARCH)

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 • In 2017, CHED Memorandum Order No. 61 Series of 2017 was issued repealing the
1977 memorandum
• All Architecture Schools in the Philippines follow the CHED Memorandum No. 61, hence
the curriculum is the same for all architecture schools nationwide.
• After the 5 Year Program , the Title BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ARCHITECTURE
(B.S. IN ARCHITECTURE) is bestowed upon the graduate.
• A 2-year Apprenticeship Program (3,840 hours) under a registered license architect must
be completed to qualify the graduate to the Licensure Examination for Architects (LEAs)
• The Apprenticeship Program is recorded in a Logbook on Diversified Experience in
Architecture (UAP DOC. 210) which is produce by the United Architects of the Philippines.
• Commission on Higher Education (CHED) (government)
• Technical panel
• 1 architect in the academe,
• 1 architect from the Professional Organization
• 1 architect from the Board of Architecture
• 1 architect in the Practice
• Accreditation
• Identifies Centers of Excellence (COE) & Center of Development (COD)
• Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation
(PACUCOA) private
• Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU)
private
• 94 Architecture Schools in the Philippines *
• 2 Licensure Examination every year
• 1,700 + new architects pass every examinations

Earliest Architectural Schools

1. Escuela Patricia y Profesional de Artes y Oficios de Manila.
➢ Founded in 1890, the only professional school for builders in the Philippines
during the Spanish times
➢ “Maestro de Obras” Master Builders.
2. Liceo de Manila
➢ The first private school.

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 3. Escuela de Ingeniera y Arquitectura (1904).
➢ First school of Architecture offering Academic training along the lines of an
American Architectural School.
4. Mapua Institute of Technology (1925)
➢ Founded by Thomas Mapua, the first registered Filipino architect.
5. University of Santo Tomas
➢ Designed by Fr. Roque Ruaño
➢ College of Architecture (1930)
6. Adamson University (1941)
7. Philippine College of Design (1942).
8. Cebu Institute of Technology (1946).
9. National University (1948).
10. Mindanao College (1949).

❖ 100 years of the architecture profession in the Philippines

More than a century ago, one will not find a school for architecture in the land. The closest
one can get is to undertake studies to be a Maestro de Obra — then considered as builders. If
one wants to earn the title, seeking studies abroad is the best possible way.
Despite not having architecture schools at that time, Maestro de Obras and surveyors
established the first organization of architecture as interest in this field grew. More and more
Filipinos were able to study abroad and return to the country to practice their profession. In 1921,
the Engineers and Architects Law was passed, stating the separation of board of examination for

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engineers and architects. The same law also mandated Maestro de Obras to be automatically
registered as architects, with Tomas Mapua as the first licensed Filipino architect.
Three separate associations of architects were established from the early 1930s to the
late 50s. These are the League of Philippine Architects, the Association of the Philippine
Government Architects, and the Philippine Institute of Architects. However, it took over a few more
decades before the profession saw a clearer path towards professional unity.
After careful and meticulous process of incorporation, the United Architects of the
Philippines (UAP) was finally established in 1975 and was recognized by the Professional
Regulation Commission (PRC) as the duly accredited professional organization of architects in
the country. With a pool of more than 50, 000 members and a strong network of 181 chapters
from various regions across the globe, the UAP is a prime mover in making the architecture
profession known not only in the country, but also in the international arena. It is an award-winning
professional organization which has clinched the PRC’s Most Outstanding Accredited-
Professional Organization Award or the APO Award for several consecutive years since 2002 —
a testament that it is serving its purpose of protecting the profession.
Today, architects are considered as master builders of all vertical structures, working
hand-in-hand with allied professionals in creating builds and designs. Considered not only as a
lucrative career, but also a fulfilling path for every builder, the profession has paved the way for
notable Filipino architects to showcase their creations not just in the Philippines, but also abroad.
We have renowned architects we all look up to for their distinct designs — National Artist
Leandro V. Locsin, who is the talent behind The Cultural Center of the Philippines; Juan Felipe
Nakpil, who designed the Manila Jockey Club, Magsaysay Building, and Rufino Building among
others; and Francisco “Bobby” Mañosa who designed the San Miguel Corp.
Headquarters inspired by the Banaue Rice Terraces. These architects are the representation of
what the Filipino talent truly has — love for country, creativity, vibrancy, and innovation. We
continue this with a new breed of contemporary architects of equal caliber who are carving their
names in their respective fields. In the UAP’s pool of members are laudable professionals in
various specializations — from commercial and residential designs, industrial, landscaping,
interior, green design and urban design buildings, and many others.
All of their contribution are part and parcel of a bigger role — to help the country in building
a nation that is adaptive, sustainable, and livable for more generations to come.
This year, as we celebrate the 100 years of architecture in the Philippines, it is the UAP’s
vision to see architecture continuing to thrive in these trying times, and emerge as a leading
profession not on in the building industry, but in rebuilding society as well.
Architects take the challenge of giving helpful contributions in adapting to the needs of the
times.
Furthermore, we believe that architecture is a primary mover towards modernization while
highlighting the importance of the past. As architects and gatekeepers of architectural gems
sprawled in various places in the country, it is our goal to help in pushing for thriving cities while

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still doing our duty of architectural heritage conservation — one of the greatest manifests of our
identity that we are forever embedded in.
This celebration serves as a motivation for the UAP to continue living up to its mission of
protecting the profession and its members through various programs that not only enrich and
cultivate learning among them, but also give the inspiration to do more and contribute more for
the betterment of the country. With its Member-First Policy, a flagship campaign of the current
administration, the UAP is anchored in the mission of serving its members by providing tangible
benefits that would up their skills and talents in the field, even amidst an ongoing global crisis.
The UAP works not only within their internal organization. It also puts emphasis on external affairs
— promoting their profession with its “Get An Architect” advocacy campaign, an award-winning
drive of making the professional known to the public, specifically to the masses. It also comes
with a stream of active corporate social responsibility projects in various regions, with the aid of
its chapters, by providing pro bono professional consultations, volunteer works, and donations to
both public and private sectors for housing problems, environmental conservation and promotion
of socio-economic development.
Despite facing hurdles to protect the interest of the professionals, the profession in
general, and the laws that govern it in the past years, the UAP believes that architecture is here,
not only to stay but to continue soaring. It will not cease from flying high to reach lofty pursuits.
The UAP aims to maintain the architecture profession in the country in the next hundreds
of years, through its thousands of Filipino architects ready to take on the challenge of making a
better, livable spaces for everyone.

❖ The first ten (10) Filipino Architects

1. Tomas Mapua – first registered architect. PRC # 00001/ First registered architect,
Established Mapua Institute of Technology in 1925, the first architectural school in
the Philippines.
2. Carlos Barretto - PRC # 00001/ First Filipino architect with academic degree abroad.
Pioneering Staff of “Division of Architecture”
3. Antonio Toledo - Regarded as the Master of Neoclassic Style. Among the first
architect – educators. Assistant to William Parsons.
4. Cheri Mandelbaum
5. Arthur Chumbert
6. Juan Villegas
7. Sidney Rowlands
8. Juan Altiveros
9. Tomas Arguelles
10. Isidro Del Valle

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THE ARCHITECTURAL ORGANIZATION/SOCIETY
1. Academia de Arquitectura y Agrimensura de Filipinas (AAAF).
➢ “Society of Architects and Surveyors of the Philippines”
➢ First architectural society in the Philippines.
➢ Founded on September 14, 1902. In 1903, the name was changed to “Academia
de Ingeniera y Architectura y Agramensura de Filipinas.
➢ The president of the organization were the following: Guillermo Gardiner (1902-
1904), Tomás Arguelles (1905-1907), and Arcadio Arellano (1908-1912).
➢ In 1911 the CE members withdrew from the academy to form their own
professional society.

• The first Engineers and Architects Law, Act No. 2985, was passed by the Philippine
Assembly in 1921.
• This law created separate boards of examiners for the two professions, and allowed the
licensed “maestro de obras” to be registered automatically as architects.
• “Among those who registered were Carlos Barreto, Tomás Mapua, Antonio Toledo, Juan
Arellano, Andres Luna de San Pedro, Fernando Ocampo and Juan Nakpil.”

2. Philippine Architects Society (PAS).

➢ Founded in 1933 by Arch. Juan Nakpil, who acted as the society’s President with Arch.
Tomas B. Mapua as the Vice President.
➢ Pertinent historical highlights of the society included the drafting of the constitution and
by laws and the adoption of the Code of Ethics and Standard Professional Fees.
➢ Among the members were Carlos Barreto and Tomás Arguelles.
➢ About four months after the liberation of Manila in Sept. 2, 1945, the Philippines
Architecture Society (PAS) was reorganized.
➢ It amended it’s name to Philippine Institute of Architects and Planners (PIAP) and later
changed it again to Philippine Institute of Architects (PIA).
➢ Only five years later, on August 5, 1950, the first split occurred, at that time there were
only about 350 registered architects in the Philippines. Fifteen (15) members of the
PIA formed the league of the Philippine Architects (LPA).
3. League of the Philippine Architects (LPA)
➢ Shortly before, on June 17, 1950, the profession of Architects was given its first
separate status with the enactment of Republic Act 545.
➢ It replaced the first Engineers and Architects Law Act No. 2985 which was passed by
the National Assembly in 1921.
➢ This statute had governed the professions of Civil Engineer and Architects. 8/13/2020
6
• In 1955 the PIA and LPA attempted a merger.
• But within 3 years later in 1958, a second split occurred.
• The Association of Philippine Government Architects (APGA) was established.

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4. Association of Philippine Government Architects (APGA)
➢ The society of Architects who are working for the Government 8/13/2020 7
• Meanwhile, as the three organizations continued their separate activities.
• The number of Architects had increased to 1200 apparently the PIA remained the
dominant association.
• On January 23, 1957 the PIA was officially admitted as the National Section of the
Union Internationale Des Architects (UIA), an international organization of
Architects.
• On October 23, 1965 the PIA, LPA and APGA passed unanimously a resolution
which approved the National Code, and the Architects services and schedule of
fees.
• The efforts to merge the three organizations continued without concrete results.
• In June 1973 President Ferdinand E. Marcos established through Presidential
Decree No. 223 the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) with the task of
regulating all professions and accrediting only one organization for each of them.
• The attempt to merge had received the need push from outside.
• In 1975, the Three organizations (PIA, LPA and APGA), though in a painful
process because not all Filipino architects are ready for integration, needed to
reconcile to form a single organization for Filipino architects called the United
Architects of the Philippines (UAP)

5. United Architects of the Philippines (UAP)

➢ The Integrated and Accredited Professional Organization of Architects (IAPOA)
➢ The UAP on May 12, 1975 the PRC issued a certificate to the UAP as the only
accredited professional organization for architects in the Philippines.
• On Sept. 16, 1979 the UAP became a founding member of the Architects
Regional Council of Asia (ARCASIA) with the following members:

a. UAP – United Architects of the Philippines

b. SIA – Singapore Institute of Architects
c. MIA – Malaysian Institute of Architects
d. HIA – Hong Kong Institute of Architects
e. ASA – Association of Siamese Architects
f. IIA – Indonesian Institute of Architects
g. SLIA – Sri Lanka Institute of Architects
h. IAP – Institute of Architects of Pakistan
i. BIA – Bangladesh Institute of Architects

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UNITED ARCHITECTS OF THE PHILIPPINES PRESIDENT
The United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) was born on December 12, 1974
out of the noble vision of unifying the three (3) existing architectural associations at that
time – the Philippine Institute of Architects (PIA), the League of the Philippine Architects
(LPA) and the Association of Philippine Government Architects (APGA).
Through the concerted efforts of the officers and members of the three
organizations, the vision officially materialized on March 26, 1975,where the UAP was
registered with the Philippines’ Securities and Exchange Commission (PRC) . The PRC
is the central agency of the Philippine Government charged with the licensing and
regulation of professional Organizations (APOs).

No. NAME YEAR

1. NUKE, NORBERTO M. 1975
2. HERRERA, JOSE V. 1976
3. GAITE RUPERTO C. 1977-1978
4. MENDOZA, FELIPE M. 1979-1980
5. ARELLANO, OTILLO A. 1981-1982
6. LOCSION, LEANDRO V. 1983-1984
7. CANCHELA, CESAR V. 1985-1986
8. HONG, FROILA L. 1987-1988
9. LAZARO, ANGEL R. JR. 1989
10. ALCORDO, RICHETO C. 1990-1991
11. MARQUEZ, JAIME C. 1992-1994
12. MANGIO, NESTOR S. 1994-1996
13. CUNTAPAY, EMMANUEL P. 1996-1998
14. REYES, YOLANDA D. 1998-2000
15. LUIS, PROSPERIDAD C. 2000-2002
16. SAC, ROBERT S. 2002-2004
17. OLONAN, ENRIQUE O. 2004-2005
18. FLORENTINO, EDRIC MARCO C. 2005-2007
19. ROLDAN, MEDELIANO T. JR. 2007-2009
20. LING, ANA M. 2009-2010
21. MENDOZA, RAMON S. 2010-2012
22. ROSAL, ROZANNO C. 2012-2014
23. REGALA, MA. BENITA 2014-2016
24. HISANCHA, GUILLERMO H. 2016-2018
25. PANGINIBAN, BENJAMIN K. JR. 2018-2021
26. DE GUZMAN, ARMANDO EUGENE C. 2021-2022

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 ❖ Six Contemporary Filipino Architects You Should Know
The architecture of the Philippines reflects the country’s complex cultural identity. First
colonized by Spain, then Japan and finally America, Filipinos joke that they spent 400 years in a
convent, five in a prison camp, and 45 in Hollywood. This complexity finds its creative expression
in the work of these six post-war architects, whose vision simultaneously captured the country’s
history while looking towards the region’s future.
1. Leandro Locsin
Leandro Locsin (1928-1994) was in some ways a
quintessential Renaissance man. A brilliant architect, interior
designer, artist, and classically trained pianist, Locsin was also
a keen art collector, amassing a sizable collection of
fine Chinese art and ceramics during his lifetime. It is for his
buildings, however, that he is remembered. From airport
terminals to memorial chapels, arts centers to stock exchange
structures, Locsin left his mark on the urban landscape of the
Philippines.
Locsin was determined to reconfigure western
architectural mores for a Filipino audience. His most substantial
contribution to Filipino architecture is the Cultural Center of the
Philippines, a collection of five buildings that demonstrate the
architect’s drive to find a vernacular form of modernist
architecture. The National Theatre building within the complex
is a good example of Locsin’s trademark style. Known as
“floating volume,” it consists of a two-floor-high block of
Figure 1 Leandro Locsin
travertine marble cantilevered 12 feet into the air. The theatre
harks back to traditional Filipino dwelling huts, but on a
monumentally modern scale.
Despite the wide range of buildings Locsin created, all of them have one thing in common:
concrete. His ability to make this most monolithic of materials appear weightless, and to elegantly
combine Western brutalism with vernacular elements, led Locsin’s peers to dub him the “poet of
space.”
2. Ildefonso P Santos
The father of Philippine landscape architecture,
Ildefonso Paez Santos, or IP Santos as he was known, created
some of the best-loved urban spaces in the Philippines.
Landscape architecture, which deals with parks, plazas, and
green spaces, was a little-considered element of urban
planning in the first half of the 20th century. However, Santos
changed that, carrying out pioneering work that, after four
decades in the profession, led him to become National Artist
Figure 2 Idefonso P. Santos
for Architecture in 2006.
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 One of his earliest successful projects was the Makati Commercial Center, an outdoor
shopping mall in which the shop fronts and walkways were interspersed with garden trails,
fountains, and public artworks. This led him to be commissioned to revitalize Manila’s Paco Park,
the work for which he is perhaps best remembered. A former Spanish cemetery and Japanese
ammunitions store, the park was transformed into a national park in 1966. Between 1967-1969
Santos revived the park’s grounds and incorporated the original park structures, including
memorial sites and fortification walls, into a space for urban recreation.
3. Pablo Antonio
One of the first exponents of modernist architecture in the
Philippines, Pablo Antonio (1901-1975) is revered as a pioneer
and the foremost architect of his time. This success was perhaps
unexpected for a boy who was orphaned at 12 and who dropped
out of his first architecture program. It was during his studies at
the University of London that Antonio began to shine, completing
a five-year program in only three years. He went on to
revolutionize popular architecture in the Philippines, eschewing
the fashionable neo-classical style for his own version of art
deco. Antonio was acutely aware of the demands made on
architecture by the unforgiving Philippine climate. Buildings such
as the Galaxy Theatre, the Far Eastern University, and the
Manila Polo Club display practical innovations such as natural
ventilation systems and sunscreens, all of which are rendered
in Antonio’s signature style: clean lines, strong shapes, and Figure 3 Pablo Antonio
simplicity. As Antonio’s son Pablo Jr explains, “for our father,
every line must have a meaning, a purpose. For him, function comes first before elegance and
form.”
4. Juan Nakpil
The son of veterans of the Philippine Revolution,
Juan Nakpil (1899–1986) was committed to the belief that
architecture built in the Philippines should reflect its culture
and people. In his early career, Nakpil spent time studying in
the United States and France, absorbing the lessons of
international architecture. When he returned to Manila in the
mid-1920s, Nakpil applied his new-found knowledge to
Filipino structures. He worked on the restoration of the home
of national hero Jose Rizal and, like Locsin, took inspiration
from traditional stilt houses, remaking them in cantilevered
concrete on a mammoth scale. His own holiday home was
designed along these lines, combining
traditional nipa roofing (made out of natural materials) with a
poured concrete base. Nakpil worked on dozens of buildings
across the nation, from the Manila Jockey Club and the
Figure 4 Juan Nakpil
Quiapo Church, to the Mabini Shrine and government
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departments. Despite his determination to make buildings specifically for Filipino citizens, some
of his designs were considered too radical by the public. Nakpil’s stainless steel pylon,
superimposed over a granite obelisk memorialising Jose Rizal was unpopular and was soon
removed. But Nakpil’s failures were few, and he remained one of the Philippines’ most popular
and revered architects until his death. He was named a National Artist for Architecture in 1973.
5. Francisco Mañosa
Francisco ‘Bobby’ Mañosa has been challenging
architectural convention in his native country for five decades. He
displayed an artistic temperament from an early age and
remained a keen painter throughout his life. Along with his three
brothers, Mañosa eventually chose to pursue architecture, and
before long became the “outspoken champion of indigenous
architecture,” thus popularizing the idea of Philippine architecture
for Filipinos.
Mañosa’s distinctive style, known as Contemporary
Tropical Filipino Architecture, is a heady mixture of seemingly
incongruous elements. Coconut lumber, rattan, shell, thatch, and
even indigenous textiles are juxtaposed with hypermodern
materials: metal, glass, concrete. The Coconut Palace at the Figure 5 Francisno Mañosa
Cultural Center of the Philippines complex typifies Manosa’s
style. Its coconut gourd roof, coconut shell chandelier, and pineapple fiber bedcovers are infused
with technological innovation for the modern era. In 2009 Mañosa was designated a National
Artist in Architecture.
6. Carlos A. Santos-Viola
An urbane young man who enjoyed lawn tennis and
playing the saxophone, Carlos Santos-Viola was also a gifted
architect. He was a devout Catholic throughout his life, and
many of his best known designs were executed for the Iglesia
Ni Cristo, a Filipino religious group. Santos-Viola created
churches for the group all over the archipelago, designed in a
style quite distinct from that of his contemporaries. Instead of
the monumentalism of Leandro Locsin or the art deco simplicity
of Pablo Antonio, Santos-Viola chose to incorporate Gothic and
Baroque elements into his modern churches.
The Central Temple he built for the Iglesia Ni Cristo
shows these revivalist flourishes working in harmony with Figure 6 Carlos A. Santos-Viola
Santos-Viola’s passion for geometric shapes and, perhaps
more than anything else, functionality. The desire for
functionality informed almost all of Santos-Viola’s work, and he was fond of asserting that “the
structure must not only look good but must also be made well.”

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 REFERENCES

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Philippines. Retrieved October 1, 2022, from https://www.united-
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you-should-know/

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