Then - It's Power in our Hands

Day Three

November 22, 2008

No one knew what to expect this week. That alone had us all in knots, wondering how those arduous analyses at the last session would, well, finally come to an agreeable end for everyone.  

We have been encouraged to be more "aggressive and assertive" to get some discussions going. For some reason, there has been a semblance in the past two sittings of going back to the university - when it was easy to be voiceless in front of a possibly arrogant professor coming across as the only one who has the monopoly to all truths... 

Apart from the fact that our guest lecturer was so welcoming of all comments, when you get down to it, aren't we already all architects, accomplished in our own right?   By now, we ought to already have something to share through our years of experience in theory and in the field.   Perhaps, we just need reminding... for  unless we found our voices again, we may never know what we have been truly called for.

Architect Dytoc got us started by showing us more visuals of architectural marvels and they did not seem so alien somehow. They were just as beautiful and impressive as the first ones we saw before, but now they appeared friendlier... more proximate.    For all one knows, these sessions have already started to work its wonders on us...

Then came the compelling portion of the evening's discussion: Case Studies.  

Manny shared a current project he and colleague Chuck are working on - a resort in Anilao with a highly demanding topography.  The formidable project engaged the whole group in finding good solutions.  Resident funny man Drew eloquently expressed a possible query running through the heads of a good lot of us: do we get a percentage of the design fee if we give the best solution? A relaxed atmosphere pervaded and camaraderie is further ensured. We were all having a good time.

Next was Joseph's presentation of an architectural/structural feature of a house still in construction - the stairwell with a catwalk held up by cigar columns.  Application of a past "lesson" delighted everyone.  What followed were other possible solutions, perhaps more viable, yet lacking the desired "arrogance" that the cigar columns can bring about.  Now, I'd say that that totally raised that discussion to another level - one more sublime, even transcendental.

For me, in its entirety, I was enthralled by the close and very entangled relationship between tension and comprehension (Uh-oh. Isn't that geeky or what?)  They may be two contrasting forces and yet it is this fundamental dissociation that is the basis of their successful interdependence.  It is then for us to make use of this and work with this reality.  If that in itself is not interesting enough, I don't know what else is.

In the end, certificates of attendance were given out to everyone - for being daring agents of change and contributing to usher in the architecture of the 21st century by merely participating in the seminar. 

Then, we also handed to our lecturer a certificate of appreciation for sharing with us his vision, which we all signed. Should anyone of us become great due to the inspiration provided for by the Dytoc legacy, then the certificate would be a testament in itself.

Together with a few others, I was asked to impart a testimonial wherein, by this seminar, I took pleasure in the redefinition of the roles of architects and engineers, and what I feel is the "ought-to-be" of the whole science of building. In our practice we are more inclined to troubleshoot and learn the ropes as we go along our way.  This seminar instead gave us a chance to envision where we want to go,  being in a community of colleagues where we can draw wisdom and support.  Then, Manny also spoke about his former apprehensions, which after tonight were transformed into perfect avenues to tread upon and get inspiration from, likening the experience to riding a bike and being taught new tricks to enjoy bike-riding more. Lastly, Miguel articulated his delight over the seminar saying that it was something he did not expect from past UAP seminars he attended and looks forward to a follow-up session so that we can have more possibilities for further growth.

When we thought that that was enough to fill us up, Eugene came in to cap the evening with the introduction - and an invitation for everyone - to join a Design Exhibition called "Future Architecture" which could be, for us, an application of all that was learned.  The exhibit has been primarily opened to all UAP Alabang Chapter members and secondarily to all other UAP members from other chapters for a minimum nominal fee.  

For more info, check out:  http://uapalabangchapter.wordpress.com/future-architecture-design-exhibit/

Just now I am reminded of something that Ralph Waldo Emerson said: 

 

We are very near to greatness: one step and we are safe; 

can we not take the leap?

With power in our hands, not only that we probably can.

We must.