A YEAR and a half ago, we would never have imagined achieving this much progress for our chapter. Through God’s grace and 99.5 percent of the member support, we have achieved so much together.
It began with the Metro Architects Xchange, where we invited high-caliber speakers to share their expertise on different aspects related to the profession. In conjunction with this was the Metro Architects Xpo, a scaled-down version of the Conex held at every General Membership Meeting (GMM), where industry partners present their latest offerings. The combination of these programs allows each GMM to be unique and educational, providing our members with something to look forward to monthly.
To reinforce our unity as a chapter, we started the Metro Architects Xplore Program. We organized Arkitours in Escolta, Binondo, the National Museum of Fine Arts, and the National Museum of Natural History, which was our first collaboration with the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) National. We explored these landmarks as a camaraderie-building exercise with our families. We explored the Excuadra Unioil Tower similarly with our mentees.
Our effort to strengthen the Metro Chapter’s engagement with UAP National proved to be a success when the Metro Architects Xplore program was adopted for the 49th National Convention. The San Nicolas walking tour on April 21, 2024, allowed us to explore heritage sites that merit recognition and preservation support.
To future-proof our profession, we spearheaded the Metro Architects Xcellence MAX Best Thesis Competition and its twin program, the MAX Job Fair, which were a first in UAP history. To incite positive change at the grassroots level, we spearheaded Project Hulma: Reshaping and Enhancing Earist-Architecture Learning Facilities, dedicated to the Earist-College of Architecture and Fine Arts.
To give back to our members for their participation, we launched Metro Architects Xclusive, offering giveaways and exclusive merchandise. The Metro Architects Xaltation program celebrates members’ exemplary community contributions. To strengthen our bonds, the Metro Architects Xuberance program includes recreational activities like the existing Metro Badminton Program, Metro Basketbolero and Metro Architects Bike.
Rewarding members
The Metro Architects Xcelsior program offers rewards and incentives to chapter members based on their corresponding level on the Metro Architects Xemplary system. For the passing of Ar. Jerry Caw, former Metro Chapter Charter director, made a total of P100,000 in cash donations to the bereaved as a sign of his legacy to the Metro Chapter. This was followed by Ar. Manny Ko and former Earist dean, Ar. Fernando Pamintuan, who both received P50,000 each.
The Metro Architects Xemplary is a tier system that rewards members’ status based on their involvement and contributions. The Metro Architects Xposition promotes fairness, prohibits favoritism and unjust treatment, and protects members’ voices. This aligns with UAP National’s directives for a fair and democratic system in all chapters.
The 10 MAX Programs — Metro Architects Xchange, Xpo, Xplore, Xcellence, Xclusive, Xaltation, Xuberance, Xcelsior, Xemplary and Xposition — together with the Project Hulma CSR Project, would not have been possible without the support of the Metro Chapter members, elders and industry partners. The most gratifying part is that — despite the zero fund turnover, the withheld P18–30 million undisclosed amount that is still unaccounted for to this day — the Metro Chapter still achieved new heights and provided various benefits to the members. Hence, ground zero.
Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others, but the only means. During the pandemic, as the vice president for programs, this author donated P600,000 in kind to UAP Metro’s CSR Program. To date, I have donated not less than P800,000 to UAP Metro and UAP National. This is unprecedented in UAP, which, in the Metro Chapter’s 38-year history, not one member, elder or previous president was able to provide as much or come even close. Through the mentioned initiatives and donations, I was awarded as one of the Most Inspiring Beacons by the UAP Metro and Best UAP Member by UAP National.
May these programs continue to benefit the members of the UAP Metro Chapter and inspire similar initiatives in all UAP chapters, encouraging the advancement of Filipino architecture across the board.
Architect Danny Ko is an architect, artist, innovator and entrepreneur renowned for redefining the philosophy of Integrated Architecture, which designs a better world through architecture and technology.
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