Natcon Directory | Page 4

Theme Rationale Both traditional and modern anniversary symbols assign the ruby for the fortieth year; hence, the dominant red color of the logo on the occasion of the 40th UAP National Convention as depicted on the upper part. The lower part reveals the theme, O.N.E., both the acronym and its component words, which reflect every architect’s desire to be unified spirit, sentiment, and purpose. O N The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Perhaps, no other profession can understand this more than us architects. One illustration that can be used is that of a house. Each “part” — the design, concrete, wood, fixtures, paint, roofing, etc. and even the labor — has its own value. But putting the parts together in one place at one time into the final product escalates the value geometrically. The future of a country depends upon its citizens who need to be well-educated, skilled and trained to get the goal of progress and development by fighting all odds. To be patriotic architects, we need to take more tangible steps to polishing the skills of the profession by providing the members of the UAP a platform to explore the innovative ideas of their mind and showcase their talents, to have access to modern researches, theories and other information, and to enhance the confidence prerequisite to excel in every field. RGANIZATION-MOVERS Similarly, the UAP is blessed with members with a great diversity of gifts and charisms, all of whom have gathered together for our noble profession. However, we still have a long road to take to realize our collective vision. We, in both capacities as leader or follower, must learn more and more to work together as one team, as one organization, so that the best and brightest of our gifts will lift us up and raise our mission to a higher standard. As the Integrated and Accredited Professional Organization of Architects, members of the UAP are tied to one another — bound to one another. We must constantly remind ourselves that the mission we have in the UAP is a communal one. Therefore, bound by one common mission, we can choose to help one another up, or drag each other down. ATION-BUILDERS After all, we architects see the big picture. Are we not specially educated to help clients define what they want built, to present options they might never have considered, and to help them get the most for their valuable investment? We don’t just design four walls and a roof — we create total environments, both exterior and interior, that are functional and dynamic places in which to work and live. We are trained problem solvers, and creatively at that. If we hone the ability to empathize and see others’ plight by leaving our comfort zones, and to be able to reach out and help our Filipino brethren through our time and talents, the Filipino architect can be effective nation-builders. E ARTH-KEEPERS We stand at a critical moment in earth’s history, a time when humanity chooses its future. As the world becomes increasingly interdependent and fragile, the future at once holds great peril and great promise. Looking to the distant future gives us a warning for the present: our activities have already left a significant footprint on the planet, and not a flattering one. Is this how future generations will remember us? Beginning with our own lives, within our own families, and within our own profession and organization, we should focus on being living examples of the values we want to pass on to our families, our community, and our country. By changing our relationship with the Earth and connecting directly with n GW&R