The United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) – Palawan Chapter celebrated its 24th year anniversary with an event called Twenty 4Ward “Future Proofing: Elevated Palaweño Architects.” The day-long event was a full-packed experience that included a motorcade, a seminar, and a fellowship night held last March 12, 2023.
Part 1: The Motorcade
The event started with a motorcade attended by UAP members, UAP Student Auxiliary, and UAP Graduate Auxiliary. The motorcade started from Puerto Princesa Baywalk and ended at the Palawan State University Amphitheater. It was an exciting and festive parade that showcased the camaraderie and solidarity of the UAP community in Palawan.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the Palawan State University Amphitheater, led by the Chapter President, Ar. Jhoann May “Jam” Cabanting, the City Architect Ar. Honesto R. Teves, and the PSU Architecture Department Chairman, Ar. Arnel Timbancaya. This ceremony marked the beginning of the main event of the anniversary celebration and the second part of the anniversary special.
Part 2: The Twenty 4Ward Seminar
The Twenty 4Ward Seminar was one of the highlights of the one-day-event. Two UAP National Past Presidents, Ar. Benjamin Panganiban, FUAP, and Ar. Medeliano Roldan, FUAP, served as guest speakers. Ar. Panganiban tackled the topic of Architectural Permits as part of the building permit application. He provided insights and guidelines on how architects can navigate the permitting process effectively.
Meanwhile, Ar. Roldan discussed RA 9266, also known as “AN ACT TO REGULATE THE PRACTICE OF ARCHITECTURE IN THE PHILIPPINES.” He emphasized the importance of complying with the law and the ethical responsibilities of architects.
The finale speaker of the seminar was Ar. Alfred Carandang, FUAP. He launched his book entitled 𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐔𝐑: 𝐀𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬. Ar. Carandang is the very first Filipino architect who authored a book about architecture being part of entrepreneurship. His book highlights the significance of integrating business principles in architecture practice, which can elevate the profession to greater heights.
The Twenty 4Ward Seminar was attended by the UAP Palawan members and the students of the architecture department of Palawan State University. It was an excellent opportunity for students to learn from the experienced architects and gain insights into the real-world applications of architecture.
Part 3: The Fellowship Night
The day ended with a Fellowship Night that was graced by the UAP National President, Ar. Richard Garcia, FUAP, Area Vice President, Ar. Delfin M. Mirabete, Jr., FUAP, UAP National Treasurer, Ar. Rene Richie Corcuera, PRBOA Member, Ar. Corazon Tandoc, FUAP, two former Area Vice Presidents were also present, Ar. Cesar Aljama, FUAP, and Ar. Virgilio Andres Jr., FUAP, and other dignitaries from national posts. It was an evening filled with fun and memories as the UAP community celebrated their achievements and looked forward to the future.
The United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) Palawan Chapter has recently presented their remarkable achievements during the fellowship night at Holiday Suites Hotel in a 5-minute video presentation entitled “Twenty 4ward Journey”. Presented by the Chapter Board of Directors, led by the Chapter President, Ar. Cabanting, and the visions of Chapter Vice President for Programs and Development, Ar. Jefferson A. Bulan, the UAP Palawan Chapter has demonstrated their impressive accomplishments in just one fiscal year.
The video presentation showcased the Chapter’s achievements in various aspects, such as having 36 different events and activities in one fiscal year. These events included seminars, workshops, conferences, competitions, CSRs, and other related activities that aimed to enhance the skills and knowledge of their members.
Another notable accomplishment of the UAP Palawan Chapter is their Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with seven new official partners. This partnership highlights the Chapter’s dedication to building strong relationships with other organizations in the industry, and it also opens doors to more opportunities for their members.
Moreover, the UAP Palawan Chapter has been recognized as a certified accredited Civil Society Organization (CSO Accredited), which is a significant achievement for the Chapter. It proves that the organization is actively involved in promoting social development and helping the community.
The Chapter also won as the number one official member of the City Development Council through the dedication and hardships of UAP Palawan’s Director for Professional Practice and as an official designated representative, Ar. Anthony P. Anderson. This recognition highlights the Chapter’s contribution to the city’s development and its commitment to promoting sustainable and innovative architecture.
Transparency is also a priority for the UAP Palawan Chapter, as shown by their certificate of submitted regular financial statements through the Chapter Treasurer, Ar. Ana Jessica Basuan-Morales. This ensures that the Chapter’s financial status is open and transparent to all its members, and it fosters trust and accountability within the organization.
The UAP Palawan Chapter is also active in corporate social responsibility activities. They have conducted various outreach programs, such as tree planting activities, brigada-eskwela, and other charitable activities. This demonstrates the Chapter’s commitment to giving back to the community and promoting sustainable and responsible architecture.
Furthermore, the Chapter has been featured multiple times in article releases through Palawan Daily News, attended radio guestings to promote the profession, had collaborations with other chapters, conducted self-directed CPD seminars, created intensified membership benefits, and started to do modern digitalization for information dissemination. These activities prove that the UAP Palawan Chapter is not only focused on enhancing the skills and knowledge of its members but also committed to promoting the profession and elevating the morale of Palaweño architects.
UAP Palawan Chapter’s remarkable achievements for the fiscal year 2022-2023 demonstrate their commitment to excellence, transparency, and social responsibility. These accomplishments also showcase the Chapter’s dedication to promoting the profession and elevating the morale of its entire members. With the leadership of Ar. Cabanting, the UAP Palawan Chapter is undoubtedly a driving force in the architecture industry in Palawan, and they continue to inspire and empower their members to achieve their goals and aspirations.
Overall, the UAP – Palawan Chapter’s 24th-anniversary celebration, Twenty 4Ward “Future Proofed: Elevated Palaweño Architects,” was a successful event that brought together architects, students, and dignitaries.