A sampling of the latest flurry of e-mails follows. First we have a client looking for the elusive Filipino architect.
"Thank you for your article. I think you would do a lot of us (foreign and OFW private "would-be constructors") a favor by including in your articles a list of hungry young architects whod love to design a house. Or, if thats not possible for ethical reasons (whom to include and not to include) at least give us a way to find them.
"Im sure this wouldnt be a problem in Manila, but it sure is in a province like Cagayan de Oro where a decent plumber is hard (impossible, actually) to find, let alone an architect. We are now finishing our second project without the benefit of an architect. The third one for next year is a two- or three-story house by the seafront and I really would like to have a professional design that one!
"Where do I go? And please dont say the yellow pages because they are just as hard to find as plumbers, electricians and architects!"
"I read your article with much interest for two reasons: 1) my eldest daughter is a licensed architect and 2) yours truly who once upon a time dreamt and longed to become one.
"I am now in my semi-retireable years, and while reading your piece, I could not help but feel for our young architects like my daughter. They are forced to go abroad to pursue their dreams of becoming successful architects because there are no better opportunities in our forsaken country.
"Thanks to your article, I now understand why, despite my misgivings, she flew overseas to pursue her dream of becoming a better architect and to avoid turning into a eunuch in her own homeland. She is very happy in the United States and is looking forward to taking and passing the US board exams. Seeing her happy makes me happy, too, never mind the physical separation.
"I am lamenting this sad situation for our young architects who are still idealistic, very creative and still enthusiastic to carve a name for themselves. Is there hope for the next generation? Maybe the next, next, next generation, yes."
"Many of our licensed architects are treated like monkeys or worse, many of our firms pay their staff below call-center salaries, and then work their people like kalabaw.
"Do you think these people deserve it? It takes five years of study and two years diversified work experience before qualifying for the board exam and becoming a professional and still they earn less than almost any other profession. This is why Filipino architects are going to abroad and others are working with foreign consultants in the Philippines. I used to work for a local architectural firm, but now Im currently with a foreign architect and she pays me twice what local firms pay. I hope you will write about it and let the people know what these local firms are doing."
"My first thought as I read the article was that we all could start reflecting on what we and the institutions (or firms) we represent have contributed to the fate of Filipino architecture and the identity of the Filipino architect.
"Second, I asked myself what we may have done for the Filipino lately? Yes, the billboards are eyesores and foreign architects are depriving Filipino architects of projects. But lets admit it, we are concerned with billboards only because they just might fall on us as we motor along the roadways. We are concerned about foreigners practicing here because our clients increasingly prefer the global brand, which eats into our fees.
"Has anyone seen the destruction wrought by the last three natural disasters? (check out www.unosat.org ). Surely, Filipino architects and engineers designed, built and lived in those houses that were swallowed up by floodwaters, lahar and mud. Dont Filipinos live, work and die in those houses and office buildings too?
"If we cannot find the Filipino architect, it is because we have lost the Filipino as a client as well. Who doesnt live for the next project, the next painting, the next sculpture to be sold? Yes, we all have to eat. But while we are getting along with the business of survival, perhaps we can give a thought to those whom we have helped place in harms way by our not speaking up about our professions ideals and obligations and the interconnectedness of sustainable development in our own country."
Of course, the even larger context of failure of rational regional planning based on (questionable) economic policy that does not input the effects of seasonal disasters or man-made interventions (like mining) makes one think that there is no physical planning at all.
It is the responsibility of those whose talent is to create the structures and sites of our personal and communal lives to ensure that their work is set in a context where such creations enhance rather than endanger, ennoble rather than degrade, give joy rather than remorse.
It is the responsibility of larger society, however, to ensure that these talented creators can at least earn a decent living, are paid fair fees and salaries, and are not threatened by the prospect of exile.