The FAB 20: UAP's newest Fellows

WITHIN the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) is an institution, the College of Fellows (COF) which is composed of members who hold the title of Fellow UAP (FUAP). These are architects who have rendered notable and outstanding contributions to the architecture profession, community and society, as well as exceptional service to the organization.

During the 49th UAP National Convention at the SMX Convention Center Manila in Pasay City, 20 architects were formally accepted as new COF members at a symbolic investiture ceremony held on April 20, 2024. The recent batch, nicknamed "FAB 20," is a diverse mix of architects with different fields of expertise.

Fourteen Fellows are engaged in private practice: Jose Elmer Borlaza (Alabang Chapter), Lorna Coronel (Quezon City Chapter), Francis de los Reyes (Bacolod Azucar Chapter), Arnel Fontanilla (Manila Maharlika Chapter), Rey Gabitan (Manila Sta. Mesa Chapter), Salvador Mascardo (Mt. Apo Chapter), Eric Ng (Manila Metro Chapter), Vincent Ng (Manila Metro Chapter), Alberto Quiliboso (Manila Sampaloc), Jojito Jaime Ubiña (Camanava AB-Bantayog Chapter), Kenneth Uy (Manila Metro Chapter), Caroline Victorino (Marikina Valley Chapter), Roger Victorino (Marikina Valley Chapter), and Edward Villanueva (Mt. Apo Chapter).

Two are involved in design-build services: Alfred Geoffrey Carandang (QC Silangan Chapter) and Michelle Quinto-Abiera (Batangas Chapter). The academicians are Lorelei de Viana (Manila Maynilad Chapter) and Jonathan Manalad (Pasig Kapitolyo Chapter). Henry Den Tee Chua (Manila Sampaloc Chapter) is engaged in project/construction management, and the civil servant is Marvin Alegria (South Cotabato Koronadal Chapter).

The Borlaza Design Studio is guided by Borlaza's vision of providing something different: multifunctional, progressive, economical and adaptable.

A partner at Royal Pineda + Architecture Design, Coronel promotes modern Filipino architecture and the industry's transformative role in nation-building.

De los Reyes is a founding partner of the Bacolod-based Frasso Inc., one of the country's first architectural firms to practice as a corporation in the Philippines.

With a practice spanning four decades, Fontanilla has designed numerous medium-to-high-end residences, office buildings, showrooms, townhouses and hotel interiors.

Gabitan is credited for having significantly influenced policy with the crafting of the "Architect's Guidelines: New Methods of Compensation and Schedule of Fee."

An architectural perspectivist, Mascardo promises a practice that will go beyond the bounds of common architectural horizon, centered and focused on the client's needs, and sustainable and responsive to the built environment.

Design philosophies

A principal partner of Ng & Ng Architects, Eric Ng believes that architecture, like a living organism, should respond and adapt to changing needs and circumstances. The firm's founder and principal architect, Vincent Ng, embraces a client-centered philosophy and meets client needs with pragmatic and efficient designs.

With resilience as his guiding principle, Quiliboso's philosophy holds that dreams fortified by perseverance endure.

Establishing his own firm in 2003, Ubiña's various projects emphasize social, environmental, and economic sustainability.

Uy, a senior partner and vice president of Visionarch Inc., was instrumental in growing the firm to become one of the largest in the country.

After establishing Victorino + Architects, the husband-wife team of Roger and Caroline Victorino has been designing schools, hospitals, hotels, warehouses, subdivision housing, residences and commercial buildings.

Villanueva's 34-year visionary practice has reshaped landscapes and enriched communities across Davao City and beyond.

As the president and principal architect of Kasa Arkhitekton Inc., Carandang has shaped both physical environments and the broader architectural community.

A past chapter president of Batangas Chapter, Quinto-Abiera has created prestigious structures, earning acclaim from several government and religious leaders of Batangas.

A lecturer at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) architecture undergraduate program and the University of the Philippines (UP) architecture graduate program, de Viana is the author of award-winning architecture books.

Manalad is currently at the helm of the Arcasia Committee on Architecture Education and the founder of the UAP's Architects in the Academe Assembly.

Starting his firm, Stages Design & Construction, in 1991, Henry Den Tee Chua has made an enormous contribution to architecture, focusing on construction project management.

Alegria is the city architect and former building official of Koronadal City, undertaking several projects beyond infrastructure and city beautification.

The UAP College of Fellows recognizes these 20 architects for demonstrating exemplary leadership, professionalism and significant contributions to the architectural profession and society. Their continued dedication and passion for architecture will surely serve as a beacon of inspiration for Filipino architects everywhere.

The writer is the editor-in-chief of The UAP Post, the official news publication of the United Architects of the Philippines. He finished his BS Architecture degree at the University of the Philippines Diliman. He is a past district director of UAP Regional District D1 and a past chapter president of UAP Davao and UAP North Davao Chapters.