Manifesto 2013

What is my life’s purpose?

            Isn’t it that a question everyone eventually asks themselves? I grew up knowing what architecture is, spaces and objects. I know the distinctive smell of cement, fresh paint and sweaty workmen. Those are not alien to me, but what of it? Why must I study and how will that benefit me, asides from getting a job. What is it that I am to do in this life, what is my purpose? For the past year I have been asking God what I am to suppose to do. What am I suppose to achieve by studying and pursuing architecture. By just looking outside of a window, viewing the city and seeing what we see every day of our lives; illegal settlers, cramped up places, children doing their vices and more, I can see what is it I am suppose to do and that is to become a real servant by creating structures that will be benefit their needs such as hospitals, schools and houses. But that’s not all I want to build, there are so much more which I will mention later on.

Infrastructures like hospitals and schools are needed across our nation, it is a necessity and it also will bring tourist or retired foreigners to settle down in various places around the country. Schools are essential need in our country today, a place for children to learn morals and values but another concern is that there are a few who would be teaching because most teachers would rather work abroad. But there is still a demand for schools. Now that I think of it who would want to invest on schools when they do not make so much money, rather it would be like shedding money than earning especially when the school is catered to the D and E social bracket than the elites in the A and B bracket. But that answer will come when the time is right.

Everywhere I go these days I would see tower cranes on the horizon and cement trucks lining up to the gate of the properties they have to pour cements in forms. That is a sign that the economy of the Philippines is getting better meaning more investments and opportunities to build. The buildings coming up are not only office buildings but condominium units, and malls. I think there are enough of them, and I often ask, is there still a demand for those until now? But what about the D and E bracket, who caters to them? It should be the government but there are some NGO’s who helps them like Gawad Kalinga, but it isn’t enough. During my years in high school we would go to our Panagpuan outreach programs. One of them was in a community of informal settlers, within the city. I saw how cramped up their living spaces, the type of water system they have and how the children plays…computer shops. I want to build a place wherein there is ample space for kids to run and play, a park, but it isn’t only for the kids but also for the adults. When you give children more space to play and grow their mentality would be different, and wouldn’t be so dependable on gadgets such as the computer. It also helps boost their confidence and have a higher standard of living. It should also promote healthy living since both children and adults can spend more time out of their houses to exercise and be with family. Low cost housing is popular but I wish that I can do this type of project and give it out for free.

As I mentioned earlier, asides from building hospitals, school and houses I would also want to build National facilities like navy ports, military bases and air force bases. I suppose I watch too much investigative and action shows, but it is intriguing to make one, rather it is a challenge I am willing to accept. Our nation had once a glorious army, but since the decline of our economy our defense and military has declined. There are many of our islands that other (China) countries would like to claim, and too much rumors of war in the northern hemisphere and so it would be best that we are prepared for any conflict that may rise up against our nation. A prophesy was said that our nation will become a place of refuge, I do not know how true that may be but it is a possibility since other people from different nations (Korea, and Arabians) who has come to live here in our country. Those are my goals and a dreams, very satisfying, very challenging.

            I want to be a person who seeks after what God wants and to be remembered that I was always after God’s heart and not money nor worldly possessions. We cannot serve both God and money. Knowing God, He will provide everything and many more things but as for money, it is limited and can easily be replaced. And I want people to see this also in my works not just its structure or its form but for it to be stories of the process it underwent, struggles and imperfections (behind the scenes) and for it to be about the experiences of the people using these spaces. It is when you see the imperfections that you can see perfection.