Filipino architects in Ontario mark 10th year

Filipino architects in Ontario mark 10th year

From left: UAP-OC President Carlos Lacuna, and past presidents Severino Perez, Eduardo Manapul, Remus Ancheta, Flordeliza Laperal, Rommel Lumbao cut the anniversary cake.
(Photo courtesy of Jonathan Demetillo)

By Ysh Cabana

TORONTO–The United Architects of the Philippines-Ontario Chapter (UAP-OC) celebrated its 10th anniversary and held its Induction rites on September 7, 2013.

The celebration was held at the Westin Prince Hotel and was attended by distinguished architects from the Philippines and in Ontario.
Speakers were Ontario Association of Architects President Bill Birdsell, and Medeliano Roldan, UAP National President 2007-2009. UAP-OC past president Eduardo Manapul recalled how the organization was conceived in 2002 with the help of Desiderio Casanova. “Why does a foreign chapter has to exist when alot of architects are not practising?” he quizzed, referring to the deprofessionalization of Filipino immigrants since then. After a year of consultations with fellow professionals, the organization “to speak for Filipino architects in Canada” was officially chartered.

This year’s UAP-OC Induction Rites was geared in uniting Filipino-Canadian architects under the leadership of Carlos Lacuna who was sworn in as new chapter president along with the new board of directors. A pinning ceremony culminated the oath-taking of new members.

Current National President Arch. Sonny Rosal was also on board to share his vision on the professional practice, which include amendments on the Architecture Act of 2004 by inclusion of architectural interiors, urban design, site planning and structural conceptualization. Rosal assured the protection of the local practice in the Philippines from foreign firms. He urged Ontario-based Filipino architects to also register as APEC Architect to facilitate mutual recognition of architectural services among the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation participating countries.

The participating economies in the APEC Architect Project are: Australia, Canada, People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong China, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Republic of the Philippines, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, and USA.
For further information, visit www.uapontario.org.