"There is no such thing as Filipino Architecture! Everything we have is borrowed," declared our thesis jurors. My thesis partner, Esperanza Gonzales (she'll probably kill me for using her full name), and I felt incapacitated, humiliated, and shattered upon hearing this. We had spent countless sleepless nights preparing our thesis project, titled "Neo-traditional Lakeview Resort Villas in Caliraya, Laguna," aiming to celebrate Filipino architecture as the focal point of our research. With that statement from our jurors, as expected, we failed the initial deliberation. That phrase reverberated in my ears all day. It felt like everything had fallen apart. We were on the verge of giving up, considering dropping the subject and waiting until next year to graduate or changing our thesis proposal. Yet, a voice inside us urged us to continue fighting; after all, two more deliberations awaited us.
Seeking Inspiration
We had to prove them wrong. We had to do something. The first person who came to mind was the renowned architect and "Hero of Filipino Architecture," Francisco "Bobby" Mañosa. A Filipino architect and national artist noted for his Filipino-inspired designs, he was also one of Asia's seven visionary architects and the first recipient of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) award for architecture. We were certain he could shield us from our jurors' piercing critiques, but we knew it would be challenging to secure time with him. We didn't expect him to personally attend to us; even an interview with his staff would suffice to grasp his works and philosophies. With optimism, we emailed his office, hoping for a chance.
A Surprising Invitation
To our surprise, I received a call from his secretary, arranging a meeting with Arch. Mañosa himself. He preferred to personally answer our questions! We were thrilled at the chance to meet a legendary figure in Philippine architecture.
Wisdom from a Master
When we arrived at his office, we were like toddlers seeking refuge from a parent. We shared our story, and he imparted his wisdom. "There is Filipino Architecture," he assured us. "The nipa hut, or Bahay Kubo, and Bahay na Bato are concrete exemplifications of Filipino architecture."
Embracing Filipino Design
An ardent admirer of Filipino architecture, Mañosa's designs reflected his passion. He often said, "I design Filipino." His works, described as Neo-Vernacular, are compiled in a book called "Designing Filipino."
He explained how Filipino architecture responds to its climate. The Bahay Kubo, a symbol of Philippine architecture, was designed organically. Its open gabled roof allows ventilation, and indigenous materials like bamboo, anahaw, and nipa palms are used. The stilt-type structure avoids floods and rodents, while awning windows, supported by a stick (tungkod), can be adjusted for sunlight or ventilation. The open plan layout maximizes space.
A Call to Honor Heritage
Arch. Bobby Mañosa continued to impress us with his scrapbook of works. Despite his cheerful disposition, he lamented why Filipinos often look to Western designs for inspiration. He urged us to take pride in our cultural heritage and develop architecture that is truly Filipino and truly of our time. He said in one of his speeches, “We as Filipino citizens must continue to develop Philippine Architecture. By the practice of other cultures, we pollute the minds of future architects. We must stop copying other cultures. We have our own.”
A Memorable Encounter
The warm conversation made us feel at home, as if we were chatting with a friend. Before we parted, I asked for his autograph. With a comical tone, he said, "Look at this girl, now you want my autograph?" He wrote "architect" before my name, as if setting a goal for me to achieve that time.
The Triumph of Persistence
We completed our proposal, incorporating new urbanism with Filipino architecture, and finished our thesis with pride. Not just the pride of completion, but the pride of returning to our roots and exploring the wonders of Filipino architecture. Yes, my friend, there is Filipino architecture!
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