FVR: Building for a better future

FVR: Building for a better future
http://www.united-architects.org/index.php/news-and-events/257-fvr-building-for-a-better-future.html






“The profession of architecture was to be the first to respond to the program of integration…” — Official UAP history (upon creation of the Professional Regulation Commission, P.D. 223, 1973).

THERE were no schools of architecture in the Philippines during Spanish times. The closest for which Filipinos could aspire to qualify to build architectural projects was to learn the skills from master builders (“Maestros de Obra”) that preceded them in the profession.

The coming of the Americans brought about drastic changes in our engineering culture. The new colonizers pursued “benevolent” policies that focused on English education, public health, free enterprise, and representative governance.

Under the civil government established in July, 1901, such “assimilation” manifested itself physically in the form of infrastructures. Highways, bridges, schools, hospitals, and government buildings steadily transformed the Philippine landscape.

In October, 1904, the Philippines played host to former president of the American Institute of Architects Daniel Burnham on Governor General William Forbes’ invitation to undertake master plans for the City of Manila and the projected summer capital, Baguio.

Eminent Filipino Architects

Seventeen years, however, passed before the enactment of an “Engineers’ and Architects’ Law” (Act 2985) by the Philippine Assembly, which prescribed regulations for the practice of the professions of engineering and architecture. With the creation of separate Boards of Examiners for each discipline, it was the first legal expression to define their unique and separate identities.

The first registered/licensed Philippines architect was Tomas Mapua, holder of a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Cornell University in 1911. In the firmament of the first 100 registered/licensed Filipino architects, the names of Mapua, Carlos Barretto, Antonio Toledo, Juan Arellano, Andres San Pedro, Fernando Ocampo, and Juan Nakpil are regarded with reverence still.

The momentum to rebuild from the ashes of WWII and replace destroyed public edifices and utilities made the 1950s an eventful decade for the construction industry. With the passage of Republic Act 545, “An Act to Regulate the Practice of Architecture,” the first separate statute was accorded the profession of architecture.

In 1973, Presidential Decree 223 was promulgated creating the Professional Regulation Commission which accredited for each profession only one representative organization. On 12 May 1975, the United Architects of the Philippines received Certificate No. 001 from the PRC, officially confirming UAP as the only bona-fide professional organization of architects in the Philippines. It had taken more than two generations for licensed architects to unify – but it was done.

Today, the UAP, with Sonny Rosal as its president, boasts of a prestigious national association with expanded opportunities and increasing regional/global outreach through the Architects’ Council of Asia and other organizations.

Architecture and Leadership: Building For A Better Future

As a retired public servant and licensed civil engineer, this writer has natural affinities with the UAP, with whom we share the desire and will to build structures of great utility, strength, beauty – and systems that will endure and continue to be useful for generations to come.

Like capable leaders who promote the vision of our better future, architects worth their salt give shape and identity to the Filipino’s pioneering spirit and creativity from which younger generations can draw inspiration. Successful Filipino architects have been masters at making do with what we have, and getting the most out of local situations, indigenous materials, native talents, and Philippine culture itself.

Our best architects have created for us windows to the future –ways by which we can see for ourselves today what tomorrow could be like. That should be a future in which Filipinos will be engaged more than ever with the outside world – to which we increasingly contribute, and from which other nations can benefit in terms of global trends in design, functionality and environmental efficiency.

What truly interests most Filipinos today, however, is not simply our common fascination with useful physical structures and clusters, but the need for quality leadership itself, and good governance our leaders should implement. That’s really what democratic elections – soon coming on 13 May – are all about. Let’s all vote, and vote wisely.

The political leader’s edifice is Philippine society and his blueprints are plans/programs for social reform and economic growth that define his Administration and legacy. This, to me, is architecture of the highest order – the building of one brave new World, a more inclusive Nation, and a truly competitive Filipino Society, all with a keen sense of shape, function, purpose, and national pride.

Indeed, quality leaders must be like successful architects and engineers – innovators and transformers in their professions – just as those in charge of governance should be.

The President As Generalist

When we assumed the Presidency in 1992, we fully realized that we had been given the opportunity (more than others) to put our beloved Philippines on the path of genuine reform and modernization.

At that juncture, we understood what the role of President would be. Simply, it was not to manage, but to lead. The President would not be a specialist, but a generalist – someone who could move the country in bold directions, unfettered by the apprehensions and constraints of micro-management.

An important difference exists between leading and managing. Corporations – or countries – can be well managed and yet poorly led. Both may be doing the routine things right – without ever stopping to ask whether such routines are worth doing at all.

Being a generalist, the President should be backstopped by experts in his staff and Cabinet – a group of competents who may know more than the President about things within their specializations.

Like line-managers in large corporations, Cabinet Secretaries should be able to handle predictable and technical matters on a 24-hour basis, and take action without “passing the buck” upstairs to the President on difficult decisions within their respective areas of responsibility.

Leadership In The Philippine Setting

The standard of preparation for actions to be elevated to any chief or President is known as C-S-W or “completed staff work,” upon which a subordinate is willing to stake his professional reputation.

Such kind of efficiency and teamwork enables the President to bridge the unavoidable gap between the experts – who look at problems in largely technical dimensions – and Government’s national constituency (who are the people). Presidents and CEOs strategically look at the same problem as professors may do – but with the broader perspective of what it means for people’s immediate needs and their future welfare.

Leadership is what the Presidency is all about. And, leadership is a state of mind. Often, you and I don’t know what we are really capable of – until we’ve done it. The leader himself may not know what the limits of his potential are until he is put to the test.

Three things distinguish leaders from mere experts: First, leaders do not allow themselves to be bound by traditional constraints; Second, leaders see what followers cannot; and Third, leaders know that human will -- human energy -- human intelligence -- and human resolve -- can change the way things are.

In short, true leaders must be more caring, sharing, and daring for others, and for Mother Philippines

Leadership To Win-Win

Patience, therefore, must be the leader’s essential virtue. But again, let me say that patience does not mean complacency, indifference, denial modes, or the lack of comprehensiveness and boldness of action.

“Win-win” outcomes are what leaders in democratic systems strive for. And such outcomes we should always try to achieve – in every political, economic, or people-empowerment program – in every diplomatic venture – not the least because such outcomes enforce and reinforce themselves, and benefit the majority of stakeholders.

In governance, as in architecture and engineering, initiative and audacity often culminate in a breakthrough from long-held tradition. The leader who makes that breakthrough puts his leadership at risk – but then he also enables people to see what they would never have otherwise seen, such as better ways of doing things, more efficient win-win solutions to age-old problems, and new spaces for physical upliftment or spiritual renewal.

Thus, very often, it is necessary for the leader to dismantle impediments and barriers on the road to progress, so that people can move forward, and traffic moves both ways.

And on ground that we clear, we are enabled to build better structures, and greener communities of growth and hope.

Giving Shape And Substance

Architects always look with pride and joy at the edifices they have designed – every time they pass them by.

Just as the architect’s sense of form and function never disappears after retirement, the “retirees,” “formers” and “ex-s” among our public servants must remain energized and motivated by continuing challenges along our journey to a more bountiful future.

LEADERS, LIKE ARCHITECTS, MUST CONTINUE TO GIVE SHAPE AND SUBSTANCE TO THAT SPIRIT OF ACHIEVEMENT THAT PROPELLED OUR HEROIC FOREBEARS IN THEIR REVOLUTIONARY STRUGGLES AND IN WW II; AND UNIFIED CONCERNED FILIPINOS TO EJECT A LONG-STANDING DICTATORSHIP AND RESTORE OUR DEMOCRACY DURING OUR PEOPLE POWER REVOLUTION AT EDSA IN 1986. IN THESE THREE SHINING MOMENTS OF PHILIPPINE HISTORY, THE VISION OF A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR YOUNGER GENERATIONS MOTIVATED AND INSPIRED FILIPINOS!!

KAYA BA NATIN ITO???

- by former President Fidel V. Ramos, published: Manila Bulletin, April 28, 2013