UAP POST - 4th Issue 2016-2017 UAP Post - 4 | Page 10

National
NEWS
By Arch. Edlee S. Tusi, UAP
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 43rd UAP NATIONAL CONVEN-
TION. RIGHT: The speakers of CPD Seminars of the 43rd
NatCon (Clockwise, from top-left) Architects Robert Sac, Theodore
EC Chan, Robert Gaskin, Tan Szue Hann, Sudarshan Khadka,
Leandro Locsin Jr., Juan Paolo dela Cruz, Edouard Cabay,
Gerard Thomas Joson and Edwin Dychauco Uy; FAR UPPER-
RIGHT: For the first time in NatCon history, the SMX Convention
Hall filled with 4,000 delegates from the usual 2,500; FAR
RIGHT: DPWH Undersecretary and PICE President Hon. Ma.
Catalina Cabral graces the opening ceremonies with inspirational
speech; LOWER RIGHT: Guests, senior members and the Na-
tional Board at the presidential table during the Opening Ceremo-
ny of the 43rd National Convention.
With over four thousand delegates and countless adjust-
ments, the 43rd Edition of the United Architects of the
Philippines’ National Convention came to a close in a his-
toric yet unexpected feat. Bearing the theme, “SHIFT:
Shaking Up Architecture Practice”, delegates from various
parts of the country trooped to the SMX Convention Cen-
ter in Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City for another year
of seminars,
fellowship
nights,
awards, tours
and exhibits.
This
three
day event
was held last
April 27-29,
2017. It was
also the first
Convention so
far, to hold
in conjunc-
tion, three
significant
events, namely: the first ASEAN Architects Congress,
which has started a day earlier at the City of Dreams-
Manila; the first ever Architects in Government Assembly
(AGA), participated by architects working in the govern-
ment sector; and the 2nd year of Architects in the Academe Assembly (AAA),
attended by various architects serving in the field of education. This was apart
from the annual UAP Construction Expo, otherwise known as ConEx 2017,
which featured various exhibits from industry partners and suppliers all over
the country.
Despite the slight delay in the commencement of the programs on Day One, the
Opening Ceremonies finally pushed through with the procession of National Offic-
ers, Committee Officials, and Chapter Presidents. Meanwhile, Talentadong Pinoy
2011 Grand Champion, Mr. Joseph Erwin Valerio AKA “Joseph the Artist”, show-
cased different famous buildings and landmarks using sand art.
Gracing the Opening Ceremonies was the presence of the Undersecretary of the
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Hon. Maria Catalina Cabral,
who is also the President of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE). On
her speech, she voiced her commitment to work with the architects in building the
country. She also presented various infrastructure projects, which are either under
construction or for implementation through the Duterte Administration’s “Build-
Build-Build” Program.
Keynote Address and Seminars
The Convention’s first day proceeded with an essential and timely keynote semi-
nar delivered by no less than the Chairman of the Professional Regulatory Board of
Architecture (PRBoA) Hon. Robert Sac. He discussed the basic guidelines of the
To be continued on Page 18
CONEX 2017 OPENING CEREMONY. UAP National President Arch. Guillermo Hisancha (4th From Left) Cuts the
Ribbon which signified the formal opening of the UAP CONEX 2017 Bearing the Theme, “Fast Track to the Future”. A
ceremonial toast was also held at the onset of the program. This was opened on the first Day of the 43rd National Conven-
tion, at the Ground Level of the SMX Convention Center. Open to both delegates and the public, various exhibitors from the
design and construction industry took part in this three-day event.
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The UAP Post • Vol. 42 Issue 04 • April—June 2017