35th UAP National Convention
The Power of Architecture
DREAM • C REAT E • T RANS FO RM
(Left) The strip of Rua de Roque, which boasts of two-story ochre
painted residences and (right) the remains of St. Paul's Cathedral
I belong to a small class of architects and aspiring
planners, who are taking up a master’s degree in
Architecture at the UST Graduate School (USTGS). Last
October 2008, to further our education, Prof. Connie
Roxas, an architect-environmental planner, led us on
a four-day cultural trip to Macau-Hongkong. She is
escorted by her spouse, Eghai, a visual artist and UP
alumnus, and Manuel Noche, fellow faculty member in
the USTGS and College of Architecture.
Mostly Thomasians, my architect classmates are
Tony-Kar Balde, former colleague of Prof. Roxas, and
Shalla Billano with husband Ian, both from Pampanga
and members of UAP Angeles chapter. The other
architects were Rino Fernandez, also professor of UST
College of Architecture with wife Josie and Rino's cofaculty member, Juanito Malaga; former nun Jenny
Sanchez of UAP Quezon chapter and co-chapter
member Warren Quiambao and wife Tutit; and
Anthony Sarmiento, the youngest of the group. The
only non-architect, Fr. Ray Martinez, a classmate of
mine in Cultural Heritage Studies (CHS), completed the
group of 15.
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