A reflection: Why Architecture?

After watching Ted Mosby in the recent episode of How I Met Your Mother, wherein he wanted to inspire his students to become future architects like his professors did to him, it made me wonder how I came to this profession. Was there a professor who overzealously inspired me/us to become an architect like him? There were a few professors that I like… but more of because I like their style of teaching. It made me so interested in those subjects. But, no one really said, “You will/should become an architect.” They just said, “If/when some of you become future architects……” ^^; lol There was even one who said, “If you want to study an easy course, you can might as well shift to the other building.” Well, weren’t they inspirational?

Gratitude

I was not able to write an acknowledgment page in my book. hehe
first my parents who have been so supportive and understanding♥♥

my siblings who have helped me in every way they could (not like they had a choice :p i was practically begging hehe)♥♥

my consultants (tech-guy, professor, and polar bear) : i would’ve died/be in trouble without you guys ♥♥♥ you guys have saved my life in numerous ways than one. my parents are planning on inviting you guys to dinner ^^;

to my friend renderer (tech-guy). i really do want to give you something in return. i asked but i think you’re just… too nice. o_o it’s hard for me to look for a long term girlfriend for you boy..haha -__-;;

to FK. for always being there to keep me going forward!!!
to my special group of guy friends ♥ sorry for the whining sometimes hehe you guys are great!!!!
to FK + special guy friends: for the support and always trying to keep me happy whether consciously or unconsciously.

to my not-really-little-but-great-helpers (fables, headturner, chocolate): thank you for the last minute help!!!!! for the layout, cover page, last minute ideas and script, almost last minute referrals, etc(i’m sorry na nagkalat ako during defense ^^;; windang much)

to dearest adviser! you had scared the heck out of me during final endorsement. @_@ but thank you so much!!! i thought you told me you gave me a 75 as an adviser grade… but you gave me a 20% out of 25%… that doesn’t equate to a 75… hehe ♥♥♥

to Mr. John Tewell for the photos
to IA librarian and the person who told me a few stories about his restoration job inside intramuros and outside. o_o i wasn’t able to get their names…
to National Archive– records division person… for the information about the Intendencia! i wasn’t able to get her name either…sad… o_o

last but not the least. to God. i’m not a religious person (I don’t follow Catholicism or what not.. but I do believe that there is a god somewhere :p )… but i would like to thank Him for the many blessings He have given me. He gave me a chance to meet the wonderful people i have mentioned above and the tiny miracles He had bestowed upon us Thank You so much!!

PS. i think i had a better vision when i started this thesis =)) and i lost it along the way… based on my previous sketches and little notes hehe

FREE like a bird! (for now)

I have now passed my thesis (since February 10, 2011)!!!! i felt as if i can breathe again! a weight has been lifted off my shoulders!!!
it may not have been a very good/stisfactory grade…. but i blame myself for not being prepared on that day… and for stuttering too much, for having mental blocks, and being too carried away that i forgot to filter everything that came out of my mouth o_o (now im known as the name dropper among some of my blockmates. im not proud of it. TT_____TT)

BUT! on the time i had received my grade, i didnt care that i got a low grade…. because i have survived a terrorist and lived! he didn’t give me a failing grade either!

but, if i could rewind back to that time, i could’ve said more, elaborated more, explained my project more. ) there were a few questions that were a bit farfetched… and the jurors were quite persistent when they said i could’ve integrated the plazas to my site…. hahaha i was not too convincing enough when i said according to pd1616 blahblahblah ) but okay…..

then again… i was too distracted and terrorized by one of the jurors :p (one of our other professors told us that we need to make a shirt that said I SURVIVED (name of terror)hahaha)

but oh well. past is past. what was done was done. i passed ready to graduate~! just a few more minor subjects, a few more days….

This volume of my life is almost finish~ ready to open the next volume~
My next journey is still a bit dim for me. dont know where i’m headed yet, but lets do this~~ im sure i’ll miss studying though… life i believe is easier as a student…

motivation is back!

side spam: The Intendencia is sometimes mistaken as the Ayuntamiento, and vise-versa. this made me feel somewhat sad. lolz

on a lighter note, I had emailed dear National Archives of Madrid last month, as it was advised by our dear dean and professor (he has been a good help his comments regarding my thesis also made me realize i still have much work to do.. haha… o_o;;). and after almost one month of ignoring my formal email account, I have decided to check my inbox tonight.

Lo and behold! They replied! despite it being in pure Spanish. XD google.translate.com said something positive haha. although i think National Archives Madrid may have misunderstood my request for it wrote something about Zambales. o_o;

google translate said: “Draft prison and royal house in Zambales”.

okay…that’s not it..

the other one was “Adoption of the repair project of the Administration of Finance of the Philippines”

hm.. that is it… I think? o_o hoping anyway… but it stated another architect? in the email, the master builder was Escabia Solé Federico (during the 1896)… from what I had researched, the architects/builders were Tomas Cortes (during the 1823), Luis Cespedes (during the 1871), Luis Perez Yap-Sionjue (during the 1876), and jose luis gonzales y sanchez (during the 1996). Huge gap between 1876 and 1996. ^_~

I’m still very glad that they have replied anyway.

mood: gleeful
music: 杜 U ♥ Me. Wang Lee Hom

Thesis

I was really going to do my thesis, but I suddenly thought of looking up for more pics of the Intendencia (aka. Aduana.. My site actually has an identity crisis.. some people whom I have asked for advices doesn’t know that the Intendencia is the aduana or vice versa @_@..)

I’m utterly distraught with what is (sortof) happening inside the walled-city. There is a structure being built inside that can be considered as an intrusive element (the Bayleaf hotel). Its architectural design is different compared to the majority of structures in Intramuros. Based on my research, the IA (Intramuros Administration) do have something that is similar to a building ordinance/code for the Intramuros. They even “shot me down” when I said I plan on adding an additional floor but made of glass (cause I plan it to become a botanical garden/park). Glass is after all considered to be a transparent material. (…right? o_o…..)

But they told me I can’t do that ‘cause the Intramuros has a building Code (PD 1616) that I can’t do anything to change the façade blahblah… cause the Intendencia is a major landmark. I understood what they meant… but I think the IA is only strict towards their landmarks, and lenient towards other sites inside… of which I think they should be strict whether it is a major landmark or not.

The Banco Filipino Condominium and the Palacio del Gobernador were built before the PD 1616 was implemented. So they were “excused” and the IA has plans of face-lifting the Banco Filipino (I hope they face lift the Bureau of Immigration too please…). How they are face-lifting them, I don’t know. o_o; I wonder how the IA was able to be convinced on building the bayleaf. ‘cause if I were them, I would immediately say no <_<. Then again, what do I know of the IA’s processes regarding non-landmarks.

Regarding my thesis… my thesis adviser advised me to add a modern feature to my structure… I told her I can’t because base on the PD 1616. I can’t lol

“Section 5: Rules Applicable to Special Zones. The following rules shall apply to areas declared as special zones:

1 An authentic ambience of Intramuros of the 1890’s shall be recreated. Façade of buildings shall be faithful reproductions of the architecture of the era and shall conform strictly to the use of wood and adobe, brick and kapis and of decorative and architectural motifs relevant to the period, including grilles and lamps.

2 The specific land uses of any block within the zone shall, whenever possible, conform to the original uses of the land or structure previously located on it. Where this is not possible, at least the appearance of the original building shall be replicated or the name of the original establishment shall be used of adopted.”
(Rules and Regulations Governing the Development of Intramuros PD 1616)

But she also told me theses are just hypothetical… and that she didn’t prefer the façade of my chosen structure LOL. That kinda hurt (p_q)… So I’ll just show her some sketches mixed with modernity at our next meeting p_q. I told her, “okay… I’ll just find a way on how to convince the jury (during the thesis deliberation). o(*_*)o” Her reply was not convince the jury, but the IA. I flailed figuratively. \(@∆@)/

I had asked another professor regarding the Intramuros (for he had a project inside before ). He also said that my idea of modern (steel and glass inside the façade) is not advisable IF I were going to construct my project. The IA wouldn’t like it. (LOL. Haha) BUT, he also said, “hypothetical lang naman ang thesis e. So baka pwede. (Theses are just hypothetical [projects], so maybe I can [use steel and glass]). He also said that the IA uses the Venice charter, when they are supposed to use the Washington Charter.

Europe uses the Venice charter because their structures and monuments have only some cracks (minimal damage) when compared to the Intramuros, where most structures are badly damaged (ruins) because of the wars, fires, earthquakes, etc.

I had asked other professors, too, regarding the Intenencia. They told me I can’t change anything regarding the look of the structure. Haha… Kinda lost right now. ^^;; ohwell. I can do this… (@ᴜ@)v

生きる事は旅のように 時に迷うけど
Life is a journey, sometimes we are a bit lost
…..
えなんかどこにもない
There is no answer
ただ 歩いて行く 前に（long way long way long way）
We’ve just got to walk forward（long way long way long way）
歩いて行く 前に
(“Long Way” JYJ: 「The…」)

 

Credit/source:
info:
Intramuros Administration
Skyscrapercity.com

lyrics translation:
OneTVXQ.com { One World. One Red Ocean. One TVXQ! }
photo:
me with: (canon digital ixus 860 IS)