Icons of Architecture

CEBU, Philippines - The much-awaited exhibitions of Icons: Traditions and Transformation in Philippine Architecture was recently held at the Main Gallery of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). How fitting it was that towards the end of 2011, five of the finest architectural firms of the country, were able to give viewers an insight into how they envisioned the future of the structures that they shared, gave not only to outsiders, but also to the Filipinos, a revealing picture of our ethos.

On show were five proposals – all finalists of the grandiose and forward-looking CCP Architectural Design Competition. The scale models were those to be the new Performing Arts Theater and the Artists' Center, two of the seven iconic buildings being planned for construction in the coming years by the CCP Master Development Program, whose Master Plan Committee is spearheaded by former CCP President Nestor Jardin.

It may be of interest to note, that this was Jardin's first curatorial job ever – and what a stellar task it was, having to play steward to the works of such stalwarts of Philippine architecture.

The roster included Lor Calma and Partners, headed by Jose Eduardo Calma, known for the Coconut Palace in the CCP Complex and the Metropolitan Museum in Roxas Boulevard; Palafox Associates with Felino "Jun" A. Palafox Jr. regaled for the Rockwell Center, The Rizal Tower and the countless other landmarks and structures of art here and in over 20 other countries; Syndicated Architects, directed by Cesar Rizaldy V. de los Reyes, responsible for such projects as the Metro Department Store and Supermarket in the Alabang Town Center among other edifices of note; Buensalido Architects with Patrick Anthony L. Buensalido as its helm, which won the top prize in the Professional Category of the prestigious New CCP District Design Competition in 2005; and Leandro V. Locsin Partners led by Edgardo L. Ledesma Jr. whose luminous directory of landmarks include the CCP itself, the Manila International Aitport and the Philippine International Convention Center.

Leandro V. Locsin Partners won the competition's best proposal for it "illustrated the process of transformation in Philippine architecture," such illustrations, being the goal motioned toward, by both this exhibition and the Master Plan of building the seven architectural icons.

"We hope to provide," says the CCP in a statement, "a model for transforming the architectural landscape of our islands – one that celebrates the best aspects of our culture and engenders the participation of the broadest publics." (FREEMAN)