Activity 7: Architectural Manifesto

                 Architectural Manifesto: My Future As An Architect

               It has been a long time since I last played with my Lego blocks. I have two buckets full of Lego, and when summer comes I would scatter them on the floor of my bedroom. My mom would always reprimand me for not cleaning up after I play, because I would play with them for weeks! I have Lego plates; they had a green space to put on the Lego and another for the roads. I would stick them together by creating walls and then I would start making structures. After building my colony if I had extra Lego left I would build a space ship. After playing with them and my mother had enough of the messy room I disassemble them until the next time I could play with them again. Lego was part of my childhood; no other toys could make me happier. Along with growing up with Lego, I also grew up living in an old Spanish-Era house, made in the late 20’s. And so I have always been intrigue with the structural designs that an old Spanish-house brings. Since my father is an architect he had the house renovated many times, yet he still retains the facade and the atmosphere of the house. It may as well be the reason why I am fond of old structures found in Vigan and Manila and the old Churches around the Philippines. When my dad will go his job sites I would also go along with him, inhaling the painted walls, saw dust and the mixture of sand and gravel. I would listen to the conversations that my dad would have with the foreman and the engineers on site, listening to the problems and solutions. I do not know why but I enjoyed every minute I had in those job sites, especially the complicated ones because its really interesting how buildings shape up to what they are now.

There are many things that I could have applied for, like interior or Industrial but do not know how nor why, I just knew that deep inside me, I was meant to walk along this path, the path of an architect. My mission: “Provide solutions to the architectural problems of society. Build structures that will stand as an inspiration and one of a kind. Incorporated with these structures are new technologies and an Eco-friendly and organic approach to the designing, and planning future buildings and houses.” I wish to help building houses for the squatters and restore old houses. In a way it is helping the Philippines get back on its feet. I have dreams of creating houses very unique and have an Eco-friendly feel into it. My vision: “Steep in prayer, wisdom, knowledge, creativity and understanding.” Prayer because all the things I do is for God’s greater glory and it is because I get my inspiration and strength from God. Next is wisdom, because of the decisions that I will have to make in the future. I placed knowledge after wisdom so that I know where to use my knowledge and because I need a lot of information in order to design and make structures. The next one is creativity, so that whatever I make is still fun to look at and can inspire others. And lastly understanding, so that I know what I can do and see other people’s perspectives, not only my own. Though this can change in time, my mission and vision, I can improve on them further.  

I want to be seen as the architect who is well rounded. Why, well because I want them to see that I can integrate many things together yet it still creates good impact on the audience and still controlled If not then a playful architect. Or better yet someone unique and isn’t afraid of a little adventure. I want to explore many various things and turn them into a masterpiece. There might be a time I will create something very geometric then the other very organic. I guess you could say I want to be flexible in what I design and also integrating different ways of architecture turning it into a genre of its own.

My philosophy in life often changes, if not always. Yet my past philosophies are embedded on my heart as well because they have helped me see things in another perspective rather than my own. Now, however, I have three different philosophies. One is related to my logo and the other two reflects on my situation. The first is “Be like a sponge, absorb what you can then share it so the whole world can see.” I love to learn new things especially things that are interesting but to the things that bore me I try making them fun to learn. When I learn new things I like to show or tell them to others, or I use them to further improve myself. When I teach others and they too improve then it uplifts my soul because I was able to help someone grow. My second philosophy is “In order to become a leader, you must learn how to become a good servant.” I do not remember who said that but it sure works for me. You could say that ever since I was small I was always the follower, never the leader. I always thought that I would never lead, I’ll always be a follower and I’m good at it but because my dad is such a great leader (family and as an architect) I also wanted to lead but where to start? I never thought I would be the ‘mighty bond’ of my ‘barkada’, but all of a sudden I feel like a bigger part has been handed to me. Whether I am ready or not I take the challenge though I would prefer to be the follower at times, especially when it gets tough, no matter I know I will do my best.  Last but not the least a philosophy that came from my logo: “Let the Rock be the foundation of my life, may it grow and prosper so the world can witness His glory.” This was conceptualized from the book of Daniel 2:44, wherein the Rock smashed the bottom of the statue. The Rock that was not cut by the hands of any human represents Jesus Christ entering the world and starting God’s ministry. I want it to be my foundation because I know that He will not let me down and that I can help in expanding His ministry through my thoughts, actions and works. Rocks have been used since the Neolithic Era and have proven that it can stand strong, but this Rock is different from the others because it was not carved by any man and is stronger than any element on earth.

Though I am just starting to become an architect, I know for sure that I will not back down from the responsibilities that I will face and that no matter what my friends, family and God will be there to give comfort and strength. It is a long process but each moment is something I will treasure and every experience will be something I can use to grow. I may have my limits but I will continue to surpass those limits so that I can reach others expectations and reaching my primary goal in life to be like Jesus a master carpenter.